So, you’ve decided to start a raised bed garden – congratulations! You’re well on your way to having beautiful plants and fresh food growing right in your own backyard.
Of course, choosing a container for your garden is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as you set out on this project. But with so many options on the market, trying to find the right one for you can feel a little overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide detailing some of our favorite raised garden bed kits as well as some factors to consider as you make your decision. Read on for all of our tips!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Vego Garden Raised Garden Bed Kit
Easiest Setup:
Boldly Growing Cedar Raised Garden Bed Kit
Beginner-Friendly:
Best Choice Products Raised Garden Bed
Best Budget:
Greenes Fence Best Value Cedar Raised Garden Bed
Best for Different Configuration Possibilities:
Sunnydaze Decor Outdoor Self-Watering Raised Garden Beds
Best Overall
Vego Garden Raised Garden Bed Kit
As a well-made, stylish, and mid-priced option, the Vego Garden Raised Garden Bed Kit was an obvious choice for our “best overall” recommendation. This unique garden container is remarkably durable; constructed of steel and coated in zinc, aluminum, magnesium, and paint, it’s perfectly designed to resist corrosion and last for years to come.
Measuring in at 8’ x 2’ x 11”, this raised bed provides plenty of room to grow all sorts of plants. Additionally, it has been intentionally constructed in an oval shape with no sharp corner, making it a great choice for the safety of any children around. The charming painted exterior is also available in several different color options.
However, keep in mind that the product name is a little misleading. This item is marketed as a “9-in-1” raised garden bed kit, but the bed itself doesn’t actually have 9 different configuration possibilities. Rather, this refers to the potential to add accessories from the brand which have to be purchased separately.
Pros
- Material is well-made and meant to last for a long time
- Provides a lot of space; can hold many plants
- Relatively easy setup; tools only needed to tighten fasteners
Cons
- Product name is a little misleading
- Shipped in protective plastic adhesive which some customers reported was difficult to remove
Easiest Setup
Boldly Growing Cedar Raised Garden Bed Kit
If a painless setup process is high on your must-have list, look no further than the Boldly Growing Cedar Raised Garden Bed Kit. This ingenious container features interlocking corner joints, making the installation process a breeze. No tools required!
You’ll have room for many different plants in this bed constructed as a 4’ x 4’ square and measuring 1’ deep. With a classic wooden look, the bed’s rot-resistant cedar is sanded smooth to prevent splinters and will fade to nice weathered gray color over time. The product also comes with a precut liner featuring a drainage hole.
While the simple setup is definitely a plus, sometimes convenience comes at a cost. Some customers have reported that the corner-joint design made the bed’s corners a little less sturdy, so they eventually needed to be reinforced. Also, the bed’s “thick wooden boards” are actually two boards glued together – so there’s always a chance that moisture could seep into the spaces between and compromise the container’s integrity over time.
Pros
- Easy setup; no tools needed
- Wood is rot-resistant and sanded
- Comes with perfectly-sized liner
- 1 year money-back guarantee from the company
Cons
- Corners can be a little less sturdy and may need to be reinforced
- Possibility of moisture seeping into spaces between boards
Best for Beginners
Best Choice Products Raised Garden Bed
For the raised gardening beginner, the Best Choice Products Raised Garden Bed kit may very well be… well, the best choice. Since this container is elevated on a stand, it doesn’t require the same sort of ground preparation as other options – making it a great fit for newcomers.
This wooden raised bed also features a handy shelf underneath and comes with multiple liners. If you’re having trouble settling on the best gardening location in your yard, no worries; the stand has lockable wheels, so you can move the bed around and try it out in different spots as needed.
With the stand, this item is measured at 48” x 24” x 32”. The actual bed is 8.75” deep and features four drainage holes to prevent excess water from accumulating. Keep in mind that some assembly with tools is required for this product.
Pros
- No ground preparation needed
- Wheels allow it to be moved to different locations
- Elevated height makes the bed more accessible and keeps plants up and away from critters
Cons
- Might not roll well on actual grass/turf
- Bed is slightly on the shallower side, which limits the types of plants you can grow
- Wood is untreated; may need treatment to last longer
Best Budget
Greenes Fence Best Value Cedar Raised Garden Bed
A well-made raised bed from a trusted band for under $50? Say no more! The Greenes Fence Best Value Cedar Raised Garden Bed kit is a great option for gardeners on a budget.
This 4’ x 4’ x 7” square wooden bed is a great way to get your raised bed garden started. It’s a modular design, meaning that it can be combined with and added on to other beds from this brand. So, if you end up liking it, you can expand your project later on! The frame also features dovetail interlocking joints and can be assembled without tools.
Pros
- Affordability
- Can be set up without using tools
- Potential to expand bed in the future
Cons
- Customers have reported that the boards are somewhat thin
- Wood is untreated; may need treatment to last longer
- On the shallower side, which limits the types of plants you can grow
Best for Different Configuration Possibilities
Sunnydaze Decor Outdoor Self-Watering Raised Garden Beds
We get it – you want options! Lucky for you, the Sunnydaze Décor Outdoor Self-Watering Raised Garden Beds have six different potential configurations, providing a whole host of possibilities for your garden.
The kit’s adjoining beds can be set up as two squares or one long rectangle. There’s also the option for having different height configurations, too; each square in this raised garden bed kit has optional legs for additional elevation if needed.
Made of weather-resistant polypropylene material, each square measures in at 15.5” x 15.5”, having a height of 9.25” without legs and 17.75” when elevated. This model also boasts a unique self-watering disk as well as multiple drainage holes, making proper hydration effortless.
Pros
- Can fit many different spaces in your yard
- Material is weather-resistant
- Optional legs provide greater accessibility
- Self-watering disk helps prevent root rot and overwatering
Cons
- May need to be careful with how much soil you add when bed is elevated due to slightly weaker material
- Bed is smaller and rather shallow, limiting the types of plants you can grow
Raised Garden Bed Kit Buyer’s Guide
Now that we’ve highlighted some of our top picks for raised garden bed kit, let’s turn to some factors you should take into account before making your choice.
Size
When thinking about how big of a raised bed you should purchase, consider how much space you have in the place you’re planning to install it. Perhaps your intended location is in an open area, in which case there won’t be any real size constraints – but if you’ll be installing it in a spot where space is at a premium, make sure to buy a bed that’ll fit nicely.
It can also be helpful to have an idea of what kind of plants you want to grow. Each type of plant has a certain amount of space it needs in order to thrive – and sometimes it’s more than you would initially expect. Doing your research and being mindful of these needs can help you to choose an appropriately-sized container for your plants.
Ease of Assembly
As you can see from the descriptions of our top picks, the style and method of assembly varies greatly between raised garden bed kits. When making a decision about which model to purchase, be honest with yourself about how comfortable you are with using tools. Not everyone is super handy, and that’s okay – there are many tool-free assembly options you can choose from.
Accessibility
Raised beds are a particularly popular gardening choice for people with physical challenges because the elevated height can allow you to tend to your plants while standing or sitting comfortably.
This sort of accessibility can be an important deciding factor for choosing a container. When selecting a raised garden bed kit, consider whether you would benefit from having a bed with legs or a stand for more height.
Additionally, it’s worth thinking about whether wheels or other built-in features would be helpful for making your gardening experience even more comfortable and enjoyable.
Material and Longevity
Another key factor to consider is how long you hope to use this raised bed. Are you simply trying it out for a season, or are you building a garden meant to last for years to come? The answers to these questions can help to inform how much you’re willing to invest in a raised garden bed kit.
Raised Garden Bed Kit Frequently Asked Questions
With these things in mind, let’s take a moment to answer some questions which often arise when selecting a raised garden bed kit.
Q: If I buy a raised bed made with untreated wood, should I treat it before using it?
The decision of whether or not to treat your wood, as well as the best method of treatment, will depend largely on your personal preferences.
Treating your wood can be incredibly helpful for protecting against natural weathering processes; your container will hold up better and last longer. You can seal your wooden frame before you install it or after it’s already in place, depending on what will work best for you. Various sealants and protective paints are available for purchase at most hardware stores.
However, some people are uncomfortable with the idea of chemically-treated wood being in such close proximity to their food plants, since the chemicals may leach into the soil. If this is a concern, applying coats of linseed oil or charring the wood to strengthen it can be great natural treatment alternatives.
Q: What are some of the most helpful add-on products for raised beds?
If you’re planning on growing food plants in your raised beds, you may want to consider using some sort of fencing to protect against hungry critters. Many gardeners find wire mesh barriers to be incredibly helpful for keeping away chipmunks, rabbits, deer, and the like. Some raised garden bed kits already come with a fence in place, but one can easily be added onto any container.
For growing larger plants, trellises can be another important addition to consider. Vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers can benefit from the extra support and will produce better yields. Furthermore, a proper cover can be crucial for protecting your plants during inclement weather and ensuring that you get the most out of your harvest.
Wrapping Up Best Raised Garden Bed Kits
With the ever-growing popularity of raised bed gardening, there are many containers available on the market. We’ve highlighted some of our favorite raised garden bed kits and discussed how your particular circumstances and needs can help you narrow down your options. Once you’ve settled on the right container, you’ll be one step closer to reaching your raised garden goals.
Want more garden content? Visit our gardening page for in-depth guides, explainer posts, and great ideas!