By Lakeisha Ethans
Elevate your gardening game with the top 6 raised garden beds of 2023! Discover the perfect ones to enhance your planting experience!
Image credit: Kristen Prahlvia Shutterstock
Raised garden beds are great for beginners and experienced gardeners. Besides minimizing stress on your knees and joints, raised garden beds maximize space, improve drainage, and provide easy access for planting, maintenance, and harvesting.
Raised garden beds give you complete control over the soil, allowing you to tailor it to the specific needs of your plants. You can adjust its composition and improve its structure and fertility to ensure proper drainage. If you’re ready to up your garden game, here are some of the best raised garden beds available in 2023 to help you decide which one suits your gardening needs.
Benefits of Raised Garden Beds
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Raised garden beds offer several benefits that make them popular among gardeners. Whether you have a large yard or a small garden, raised beds provide a practical solution for growing plants. Here are some key advantages:
| Improved Soil Quality | Raised beds allow you to fill them with high-quality soil, ensuring optimal conditions for your plants to thrive. This is especially beneficial if your yard has poor soil quality. |
| Flexibility and Portability | Raised beds can be placed on any surface, including soil, decks, patios, or balconies. This flexibility lets you position your garden beds wherever you desire, maximizing sunlight exposure and convenience. |
| Extended Growing Season | Raised beds warm up faster in the spring, providing an extended growing season, particularly in areas with shorter summers. This allows you to start planting earlier and enjoy a longer harvest. You can even convert them into cold frames to get the most out of your gardening experience. |
| Protection from Pests and Pets | Elevated raised beds can protect your crops from garden visitors such as rabbits, rats, or pets. Additionally, the height of the beds can make gardening more accessible, reducing strain on your knees and back. |
The Best Raised Garden Beds
Greenes Fence Original Cedar Raised Garden Bed
Best Overall
The Greenes Fence Original Cedar Raised Garden Bed is an excellent choice for those seeking a chemical-free and sustainable gardening solution. Made from unsanded cedar boards, this raised bed is safe for growing vegetables and herbs. The assembly is tool-free, thanks to the interlocking design of the boards. This raised garden bed has an open-bottom frame, which means it’s best suited outdoors, flush to the ground. To extend this wooden bed’s life, apply a non-toxic sealer to prevent the wood from rot, mold, and moisture.
- Material
- Cedar Wood
- Shape
- Square
- Product Dimensions
- 96"D x 48"W x 10.5"H
Pros
- Made from long-lasting cedar
- Easy to set up
- Untreated wood safe for organic gardening
Cons
- Some customers have reported poor wood quality
- Some customers have reported seeing termite eggs in the kit
Foyuee Galvanized Raised Garden Bed
Best Metal
Galvanized steel beds are durable and long-lasting, making them ideal for creating resilient and sturdy raised garden beds that can withstand various weather conditions. For eco-conscious gardeners, galvanized raised beds offer an excellent alternative. Foyuee’s rust-resistant and durable option provides your plants with enough space for healthy growth without the risk of chemical leaching. Available in two rectangular sizes, 8 feet by 4 feet or 6 feet by 3 feet, these beds are a practical and long-lasting choice for your garden.
- Material
- Alloy Steel, Metal
- Shape
- Rectangle
- Product Dimensions
- 96''L x 48''W x 12''H
Pros
- Made from thickened galvanized metal
- Comes in two sizes
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Some customers have reported rust
- Comes only in a rectangular shape
ProGard Raised Metal Garden Planter Box
Best Small
Metal raised planter beds with legs provide a stylish and functional solution for elevated gardening, offering the convenience of tending to plants at a comfortable height. The sturdy metal construction ensures durability and stability, while the addition of legs allows for easy mobility and placement in various outdoor or indoor settings. If you have limited space but still want the benefits of a raised garden bed, consider ProGard’s raised metal garden planter box. This planter box is made from galvanized, rust-resistant steel and is perfect for smaller gardens. It has a built-in drainage system and weather-resistant steel, making it an ideal home for herbs, vegetables, and flowers.
- Material
- Metal
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Product Dimensions
- 24''L x 11''W x 18''H
Pros
- Made of galvanized steel
- Ideal for small spaces
- Plastic foot caps included to protect floors
Cons
- Some customers say it's lightweight
- Not ideal for plants with deep roots
Greenes Fence Premium Cedar Raised Garden Bed
Best Large
For gardeners with ample space and a desire for a bountiful harvest, the Greenes Fence Premium Cedar Raised Garden Bed is a perfect choice. The U-shape design allows easy access to all garden bed areas, making maintenance tasks such as weeding, mulching, and soil amendment more manageable. You can work around the bed more efficiently, keeping the garden tidy and well-maintained. Its wooden structure is a self-contained mini-farm with large planter boxes and deer fencing. With two sizes to choose from, you can decide to pick one with or without the fencing. Made of rot-resistant cedar wood, it provides ample space for growing large plants like tomatoes and beans while also keeping small animals out. Keep in mind that assembly may take several hours.
- Material
- Cedar
- Shape
- U-Shaped Bed
- Product Dimensions
- 96''L x 24''W x 16.5''H
Pros
- Provides growing space for tall plants
- Untreated cedar frame
- Has fences that keep critters out
Cons
- Takes long to assemble
- Some customers report poor quality wood
YAHEETECH Three-Layer Raised Garden Bed
Best Tiered
If you're ready to take your gardening to the next level with a micro-farm, the YAHEETECH Three-Layer Raised Garden Bed is ideal. Tiered raised beds offer several advantages for gardeners and their plants. They provide space optimization, improved drainage, customization, accessibility, and visual appeal. The YAHEETECH Three-Layer Raised Garden Bed comes with built-in plugs to help you easily connect each garden bed layer. Made from untreated fir planks, this bed ensures durability and quality. The layered structure allows you to grow different types of plants with deep or shallow roots. While you can stack the beds for a layered setup, they can also be separated into three stand-alone beds.
- Material
- Fir Wood
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Product Dimensions
- 47''L x 47''W x 22''H
Pros
- Provides growing space for plants with deep and shallow roots
- Units can be stacked or spread out depending on space
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Some customers complained about poor wood quality
- Not weatherproof
Gardzen Store’s Fabric Raised Bed
Best Budget
If affordability is a priority, Gardzen Store’s fabric raised bed planter is worth considering. Fabric raised garden beds are gardening containers made from a breathable and durable fabric material. They provide an alternative to traditional gardening methods, offering improved drainage, aeration, and root development. Gardzen Store’s lightweight and affordable fabric option allows for easy assembly by simply unfolding each bed and filling it with soil. Available in three sizes, it offers impressive depth, making it suitable for growing root vegetables like carrots. However, keep in mind that this raised bed is made of plastic and does not provide protection against animals.
- Material
- Fabric
- Shape
- Square
- Product Dimensions
- 24''L x 24''W x 12''H
Pros
- The material is BPA-free and AZO-free.
- Easy to set up
- Portable and lightweight
Cons
- Will need extra support to remain upright
- Awkward to move when full of soil
4 Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Raised Garden Bed
Besides style, design, and budget, here are several other factors to consider when choosing a raised garden bed.
Materials
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When choosing a raised garden bed, consider the materials used. Wooden beds, particularly those made from cedar, are a classic and durable choice that blends well with the natural environment. Plastic beds offer affordability and portability but may not withstand heavy pressure. Metal beds, such as galvanized steel, are highly durable but come at a higher cost. Fabric beds are lightweight and affordable but may not offer the same longevity as other materials.
Shape and Size
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The shape and size of your raised garden bed should align with your available outdoor space. If you have limited space, consider smaller options such as vertical, balcony, or windowsill gardens. For those with more room, consider elevated or tiered beds that maximize planting area without expanding the footprint.
Assembly
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Different raised garden beds have varying assembly requirements. Some beds can be set up within minutes, while others may require several hours of assembly. Consider your skill level and available time when choosing a bed that suits your needs. If necessary, be prepared to hire professional help for assembly.
Portability
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Consider the ease of moving or relocating the garden bed if necessary. For example, if you practice crop rotation, some herbs like parsley, mint, and lemon balm thrive in the shade, whereas plants like peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers prefer full sun (six hours or more daily).
The Heights of Gardening!
Raised garden beds provide an excellent solution for both novice and experienced gardeners. They are a practical choice for any garden with numerous benefits, such as improved soil quality, flexibility, and protection.
By considering factors such as materials, shape, size, and assembly, you can select the best raised garden bed for your space and gardening aspirations. Whether you choose cedar, galvanized steel, fabric, or plastic, these top-rated options for 2023 will help you create a thriving garden and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Don’t forget to share this article with friends and family looking to elevate their gardening experience!
