Best Raised Garden Beds of 2020: Reviews with Comparison

If you are gardening in an urban environment, whether a patio, balcony or small yard, there are a number of options available to you when it comes to designing and setting up your garden space. One of the most popular is the raised garden bed. A raised bed allows you to build a garden above the soil or other surface. This allows you to garden in landscapes that may not be as friendly as others.  A raised bed can also help manage less than ideal climate conditions.

When you begin looking into your options for this style of garden, you will quickly be inundated with a multitude of choices, including types, brands, materials, and design. Essentially though, there are three main options – raised ground, supported raised, and containerized raised. Here is a basic summary of each of these types::

• Raised Ground – This is simply a mound of soil that is elevated above the soil around it in in the area where you are looking to plant. The mound may be improved with the addition of organic material.  There is no frame and this tends to allow the soil to move easily. While not always the best choice for long term planting, it may be a good solution if you frequently reconfigure your garden area and only need the bed for one growing season.
• Supported Raised – This is basically the same thing as above, but it is defined with a soil retaining boundary of some sort.  These are typically wood, but could also be plastic, metal or stone.
• Containerized Raised – This style is a raised garden bed that is created in a wide range of planting containers and other options. These can be flower pots or an elevated bin. They come manufactured in various materials including metal, plastic and wood. They may or may not be elevated on legs or other stands. You can get really creative with raised containers.

With so many choices, it may be hard to decide the model or type that is the best for all your gardening needs. But don’t be worried – we have you covered. We have poured over all of these and chosen a few of the best raised garden beds for you.

Along with this, we have delved into commonly asked questions and curated a buyer’s guide that should be useful in your decision-making process. If that sounds good to you, then keep reading!

Comparison Chart

Vegepod Raised Garden Bed

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Best Choice

Quictent Galvanize Raised Garden Bed

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Best Price

Boldly Growing Cedar Raised Planter

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Best Elevated Garden Bed

Best Raised Garden Beds Reviews

3′ x 6′ Infinite Cedar Raised Bed

Natural rot-resistance makes cedar wood a go to choice for many raised beds. Our first garden bed is a simple, nicely-finished and effective option. This bed is made in the USA and constructed with high-grade materials.  It is available in two sizes to accommodate most garden designs.

Product Highlights

• Classic, simple, elegant design
• Strong construction from thick, rot resistant western red cedar
• Easy, no tool assembly
• No screw, no nail construction
• Made in the USA with a 5 year manufacturers warranty

The Good

There is a lot to love when it comes to this very simply designed, yet high quality raised garden bed. It is crafted in strong and durable cedar, and the pieces fit together very easily without any tools required.  An aluminum dowel pin holds each corner together. This all makes the assembly process quick and simple, which may make this option a good one for new gardeners. It is nice to look at and offers two different sizes so you can fit it to your needs.

The Bad

Even with those amazing features, purchasers have noted a few issues that we should discuss before you make the final decision. First, some have noted that the assembly may require a hammer to drive the aluminum dowel pins through the holes in the corners. Second is that a few gardeners have expressed concerns with warping of the wood. This can happen with longer lengths. Other than that, some may find the price tag a little steep for a simple cedar box.

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Vegepod Raised Garden Bed

The next option is a plastic made garden bed that comes with features built in to enhance your gardening experience. The design team at Vegepod has given gardeners a compact and durable option for their garden.

Product Highlights

• Compact garden bed
• Built-in self-watering technology
• Crafted with an easy to open cover
• Manufactured with high-quality plastic
• Available in multiple sizes – 1, 2 and 4 growing bin configurations

The Good

The Vegepod raised garden is a unique design that is an elevated option. The one or two bin models are great for smaller locations and for those who don’t have any open ground available for a traditional garden bed. The unit comes fitted with protective covers, which provide sun damage protection for plants in hotter climates as well as some protection in the Spring for tender young plants growing in cooler climates. It is also a self-watering design which provides for easier plant care and drainage.

The Bad

There are some drawbacks that may cause some to reconsider making this their choice. Both have somewhat to do with the price. The price tag associated with this bed may be steep, and the fact you have to buy the elevated stand separately will only serve to raise that price tag. So it may not be a choice for those working with a limited budget.

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Boldly Growing Raised Cedar Planter Box

Now, if you want an elevated raised garden bed with a traditional wooden look, then the next option we will be looking at is a great option. This raised box style bed is crafted with design attributes that give it a leg up over the rest.

Product Highlights

• Crafted in high-quality cedar
• Rot-resistant
• Built-in drainage holes
• Liner included

The Good

This wooden raised bed is another excellent choice that is well constructed but simple to put together. The instructions are laid out in a visual format that helps the assembly process go smoothly. This is great for those that are not as handy as others. The model also comes with its own lining, and the build is able to stand up to windy conditions due to its heft.

The Bad

Now with that being said, there are a few negative aspects that we would like to discuss. There have been some reports of the wood warping due to it shipping slightly wet. Along those lines, the wood is not sanded as much as other options, and this could be a turn off for some gardeners.

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Sienna Composite Raised Garden Bed

This entry is a great option for an easy setup and can be optimal for different types of gardening. The construction and design of this model is simple and makes for an easy to assemble end product.

Product Highlights

• Created with composite material
• Customizable design
• Features snap-on lock brackets
• Toolless construction

The Good

This composite crafted garden bed is another option that we highly suggest. It is crafted with high-quality materials that lead to a garden bed that is durable and can stand up to quite a bit. The assembly process may well be one of the easiest amongst our options. The composite fiber boards are made from food grade HDPE and sustainably sourced wood fibers for an eco-friendly and contaminant free product.

The Bad

The unit does, however, require quite a bit of soil. This could be a problem if you are looking for one that is cheaper to set up than others.

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Quictent Galvanized Raised Garden Bed

This raised garden bed offers a lot of bang for the price.  Not only do you get a galvanized steel planter box, it also comes with a tented plastic greenhouse enclosure, perfect for use as a cold frame our starting bed for early Spring herbs and vegetables, At this great price, it is hard to go wrong with this kit.

Product Highlights

• 47” x 36” x 12” galvanized steel planter frame
• Reinforced corners on planter
• Eco friendly exterior surface paint
• PVC plastic greenhouse cover with zipper windows
• Weather and rust-resistant

The Good

This raised bed kit offers a pocket-book friendly option for those who may need a cold frame for their young plants in the spring.  The greenhouse tent frame fits the planter box exactly and will offer the protection you need to get your veggies through the cold early days of Spring.  The galvanized planter box construction is coated in an eco-friendly paint and should offer years of use.

The Bad

For the value the greenhouse tent adds to this planter bed kit, it could be made with more durable plastic.  Assembly of the metal frame will be more complicate than for some of the “no tool” options that are also available.

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Buyer’s Guide

Now that we have looked at a few of the best options available today, you may be wondering how we chose these models. This was done by developing a list of features that play a significant role in the efficiency, ease of use, and performance of raised garden beds. For us, it came down to five of these – size, material, design/ease of use, drainage, and price.

If you are still unsure, you can use these features to help guide you in the right direction. Here is a breakdown of how these five features define what we think is the best raised garden bed.

Planting Area

The very first thing you have to look at is the size. This, of course, is influenced by two things: the size of the garden you are looking to plant and the space available for that garden. The area you are allotted will determine the size of your raised garden bed. Take the time to assess and measure your space to be sure you know what you need size-wise.

Then, when it comes to the size of the garden bed itself, look at all the measurements very carefully. Make sure to take the bed’s height into consideration. It can typically range anywhere from 6” to 18”. The types of plants you want to grow will help you decide. A shallow bed is fine for salad greens, many herbs, small root vegetables such as radishes, etc. If you want to grow tomatoes, you will need to consider a deeper bed.

Consider the width and length of your bed. Obviously, the size of the area you are working is a key factor. You should allow about 3’ to 4’ in width so that your bed be easy to maintain, and you are able to space rows more evenly. The length of the garden bed realistically should be 8-10 feet max. Any more than that and your long sides of the bed may warp and bow from soil weight. If you want to use a space that has a 20′ length dimension, consider using two 8′ long beds. This will also give you space between the beds to allow for eas of access..

Materials

There are several materials to choose from and you can get really creative with your materials if you are building your bed yourself. If you are looking for a more traditional wood build, cedar is the most popular wood choice, although it is more expensive than pine lumber. It is naturally rot-resistant and ages to an attractive silver-grey color in a year or two.

Pressure treated wood is an option, but we can only recommend it for flower beds. The chemicals from pressure treated wood can be absorbed by vegetable plants.

Another option with wood for raised vegetable beds is to use, non-pressure treated pine lumber and apply a natural, organic wood treatment to it. There are several available to choose from. To learn more, check out this great blog from MicroFarm Organic Gardens. One product we like is Eco Wood Treatment. It is available in a small package (and also larger) you mix yourself with water to treat your wood. Depending on the amount of wood you plan to use, this may be a good option for saving some money compared to using cedar.

Other options for your elevated raised garden bed include plastic, metal, brick and stone. Many kits are available that offer plastic or metal options. Galvanized metal is going to last the longest. Brick and stone make for very durable structures, but can be a challenge to work with for many DIYers.

No matter the materials you are looking at, in addition to aesthetics, the qualities are looking for include durability, rot-resistance and rust-resistance. For vegetable beds you also want to be sure the material are free of any contaminants that can be absorbed into plants the will be a food source for you.

Design

Design is a factor you can look at in different ways. One consideration is the type of bed. There are those that are built to sit on the ground and are open to the ground, and then there are those that are elevated off the ground with an enclosed bottom.

The choice between the two depends to a large degree on your landscape. If you have a yard with open ground and a little space, then the first option is perfect. On the other hand, if you live in an apartment or townhouse with only a patio or balcony, you will need an enclosed container for your bed.

Design options also include choices with regard to shape. Most raised garden beds are a traditional rectangle shape, but there are certainly others.  There are some elevated raised garden beds that come in oval or even circular shapes.  If you are building your own from brick or stone, for example, the number of ways to shape your bed are limited only by your imagination.

Drainage Holes

Enclosed raised garden beds are will hold water longer, and that could lead to over-saturation. When you look at your garden bed options, you want to look for ones that are designed with drainage holes.

Drainage is usually incorporated if the bed has a self-watering system. The holes allow water to drain slowly to ensure that you don’t have standing water, which can lead to root rot, disease and other problems for your plants..

Price vs. Value

The last factor that you should look at is what you get for your money. You want to look for a bed that offers all the features you need to have a successful garden. There are multiple considerations. But you definitely want to look for one that is going to be easy to maintain, that is durable and that is designed for efficiency when it comes to planting and tending your garden.

Raised Garden Bed FAQs

Now that you have some idea of what you are looking for in your raised garden bed, there may still be a few questions floating around your head. We have gathered together some of the most commonly asked questions and answered them below. We hope this helps!

Should I Buy or Build Raised Garden Beds?

This question is really about your time and how handy you are. There are many kits available that only require a little work to get set up (although some are definitely easier to set up than others). These are perfect for those that are time-crunched or maybe not as adept with tools as others. Another advantage of a kit is having it shipped directly to you. No need for a vehicle to haul materials home.

On the other hand, building your own allows you to customize the bed to your specifications. You can shape it the way you want. You can select your own materials, and you can design it to be as feature-rich as you want.

What Soil to Use for Raised Garden Beds?

Of all the things you do, the choice of the soil you put in that raised garden bed is the most important. You will want to use a mixture of topsoil, compost, and fertilizer. Depending on where you are, you may already be able to buy a mix. For instance, in the US, you typically get a 50/50 blend of topsoil and fertilizer that you will have to add compost to. You can buy bagged soil at your local garden or home center. If you are installing several beds and have the space for it, you can also get it delivered in bulk. Bulk soil is typically sold by the cubic yard and you’ll get a much better deal buying it this way.

Where to Put Raised Garden Beds?

Choosing the right location for your raised garden bed is vital. So here are a few factors that you need to consider when finalizing where to set up your garden:

Sun Exposure – Depending on where you are climate-wise, this will look a little different. For those in a temperate zone, you should place your bed where the plants will get the most amount of sunlight. If, on the other hand, you live in a hot area, then you will want to consider planting it in a well-exposed area but consider adding the addition of some sort of shade, depending on what you want to grow. Sun heat is an important consideration for beds placed on hard surfaces. A hot summer sun can quickly damage certain plants if, for example, they are left in a container on a concrete pad and not adequately watered or shaded during peak hours.

Airflow – You will want to think about the wind. If can make short work of younger as well as tall growing plants. When choosing a location to build in, make sure your bed won’t be exposed to too much wind. If necessary, you can consider constructing a wind break to reduce the potential for damage.

Water Source – Gardening takes a lot of water, and the last thing you want to do is have to lug around watering cans. So when setting up a garden bed, try to make it easily accessible to some sort of water source. You may also want to consider some sort of irrigation system. This can be relatively simple- say connecting a soaker hose to a timer and placing it in your bed, to setting up a drip irrigation system.

Landscape – You also want to make sure you are placing your garden bed on a fairly level area to guard against erosion. If you can’t find one, you may have to add an extra step to level or terrace the space you have chosen.

What Can You Plant in Raised Garden Beds?

This is an easy answer as you really have the option to grow just about anything you can imagine. It would be best to stay away from a vegetable that has roots that go too deep or ones that grow deeper in the ground. But that is really the only guideline that you need to follow. Otherwise, grow flowers, grow herbs, and even grow vegetables. The world is your oyster mushroom!

How to Protect Raised Garden Beds from Animals

Animals can be a big problem when it comes to your garden, but there are a few ways that you can deter them from messing all your hard work up. You can opt to fence your garden in. If this is the route you want to take, you need to think about the wild animal you are looking to keep out. For instance, a deer will need a much taller fence than a squirrel.

You can also deter the animals by using smells of things that either remind them of predators or that don’t play well with their senses. Deer can be deterred by predator urine, which you can buy in most stores. Or for squirrels, you can sprinkle cayenne pepper around the plants.

Other options are getting a pet like a cat or a dog that can patrol your yard.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it. These are the five best raised garden beds available today. Hopefully, all the information we have laid out above has helped you choose one of them, and if not, the buyer’s guide should be a good tool to use to find the right option for you.

Our favorite option from the above products is the Vegepod Raised Garden Bed because, although it is a bit more expensive, it has protective covers and a self-watering system. Plus, it is quick and easy to assemble and the design is compact.