Overview
Raised garden beds have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they offer a variety of benefits such as improved drainage, fewer weeds, and better control over soil quality. With a wide range of materials and styles available, there’s a raised garden bed out there for every gardener’s preferences and needs.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best raised garden beds available, including their features, benefits, and potential drawbacks. Get ready to elevate your gardening game with the perfect raised garden bed!
Top Picks
- Best Overall: Keter Easy Grow 31.7 Gallon Raised Garden Bed
- Best Budget: Best Choice Products 8x2ft Outdoor Elevated Wooden Garden Bed
- Best for Small Spaces: Greenes Fence Cedar Raised Garden Kit
- Best for Vegetables: YAHEETECH Wooden Raised Garden Bed
- Best for Flowers: FOYUEE Galvanized Raised Garden Beds
- Best for Herbs: Keter Urban Bloomer 12.7 Gallon Raised Garden Bed
- Best for Mobility: FOYUEE Metal Raised Garden Bed with Wheels
Best Raised Garden Bed Buying Guide
Material:
Raised garden beds can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood, metal, or plastic. Consider the durability, aesthetics, and environmental impact of each material before making your choice.
Size:
The size of the raised garden bed can impact how many plants you can grow and how much space it will take up in your yard or on your balcony. Consider the available space and the types of plants you want to grow when selecting the size of your raised garden bed.
Height:
The height of the raised garden bed can impact how easy it is to access and tend to your plants. Consider your own physical abilities and the types of plants you want to grow when selecting the height of your raised garden bed.
Drainage:
Proper drainage is important for the health of your plants. Look for raised garden beds with drainage holes or other features that promote good drainage.
Assembly:
Some raised garden beds require assembly, while others come pre-assembled. Consider your own DIY skills and the amount of time you want to spend assembling your raised garden bed when making your selection.
Price:
Raised garden beds can vary widely in price, from budget-friendly options to high-end models. Determine your budget and look for raised garden beds that offer good value for your money based on the features you need. The best metal raised garden beds will cost more than vinyl raised garden beds, so you should consider your budget before you want to own them.
Additional features:
Some raised garden beds come with additional features such as trellises, covers, or wheels. Consider whether these features are necessary for your gardening needs and whether they add value to the raised garden bed you choose.
What to Plant in a Raised Garden Bed
Berries and small fruits perform beautifully when their roots are elevated in raised beds. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and bush fruits produce abundant harvests with excellent soil drainage and aeration around their root systems. The open soil allows dwarf fruit trees more room to grow to maturity without becoming pot bound.
Herbs find raised beds the perfect habitat. With less threat of disease and pests compared to ground level, herbs like basil, oregano, thyme and mint reach their full potential flavor and yield. Perennial herbs become a low-maintenance component of the landscape once established.
Flowers provide beauty and attract beneficial insects to the garden when intermixed with edibles in raised beds. Annuals like marigolds, zinnias and petunias add seasonal color, while perennials like daisies, hostas and lavender return year after year. Their ornamental aspect brings visual appeal to vegetable plantings.
Vining crops take advantage of trellising opportunities in raised beds by keeping fruit off the ground and preventing disease. Cucumbers, squash, melons and tomatoes produce ample harvests supported by fences or stakes in soil optimized for growth. Grapevines trained onto arbors capitalize on the nutrient density for maximum production.
Vegetables thrive in raised beds. The nutrient-rich soil and improved drainage create ideal growing conditions for crops like tomatoes, peppers, leafy greens, carrots, broccoli, and more. Root vegetables especially benefit from the additional vertical space provided to develop fully above ground. You will see root vegetables grow extremely fast with all the best conditions and never ask how long does it take for potatoes to grow. Beans and peas planted along the edges can use trellises for support.
FAQs
1. What are raised garden beds?
Raised garden beds are elevated planters that are used to grow plants. They can be made from a variety of materials and can be used in a variety of settings, such as yards, patios, and balconies.
2. What are the benefits of using raised garden beds?
Raised garden beds offer several benefits, such as improved drainage, better soil quality, and fewer weeds. They also make it easier to tend to your plants and can be a great solution for gardening in small or urban spaces.
3. How do I maintain my raised garden bed?
To maintain your raised garden bed, water it regularly and add fertilizer or other nutrients as needed. Remove any weeds or dead plants and replace soil or other growing medium as necessary. You may also want to cover your raised garden bed during colder months or extreme weather conditions.
4. Can I grow any type of plant in a raised garden bed?
Raised garden beds can be used to grow a variety of plants, including vegetables, herbs, flowers, and even small trees or shrubs. However, it’s important to choose the right plants for your climate and growing conditions and to ensure that your raised garden bed is properly sized and constructed to support the types of plants you want to grow.
Conclusion
Choosing the best raised garden bed involves considering factors such as material, size, height, drainage, assembly, price, and additional features. By selecting a raised garden bed that meets your needs based on these criteria, you can grow plants with improved drainage, better soil quality, and fewer weeds. Whether you have limited space or want to elevate your gardening game, investing in a good raised garden bed is sure to make your gardening experience easier and more enjoyable.
FAQs
1. What are raised garden beds?
Raised garden beds are elevated planters that are used to grow plants. They can be made from a variety of materials and can be used in a variety of settings, such as yards, patios, and balconies.
2. What are the benefits of using raised garden beds?
Raised garden beds offer several benefits, such as improved drainage, better soil quality, and fewer weeds. They also make it easier to tend to your plants and can be a great solution for gardening in small or urban spaces.
3. How do I maintain my raised garden bed?
To maintain your raised garden bed, water it regularly and add fertilizer or other nutrients as needed. Remove any weeds or dead plants and replace soil or other growing medium as necessary. You may also want to cover your raised garden bed during colder months or extreme weather conditions.
4. Can I grow any type of plant in a raised garden bed?
Raised garden beds can be used to grow a variety of plants, including vegetables, herbs, flowers, and even small trees or shrubs. However, it’s important to choose the right plants for your climate and growing conditions and to ensure that your raised garden bed is properly sized and constructed to support the types of plants you want to grow.
Conclusion
Choosing the best raised garden bed involves considering factors such as material, size, height, drainage, assembly, price, and additional features. By selecting a raised garden bed that meets your needs based on these criteria, you can grow plants with improved drainage, better soil quality, and fewer weeds. Whether you have limited space or want to elevate your gardening game, investing in a good raised garden bed is sure to make your gardening experience easier and more enjoyable.
