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Unlike in-ground gardens, raised beds — also known as garden boxes that are positioned above ground — have a much longer growing season. They also don't require the excessive tilling that can come along with a traditional garden, and they're easier to implement than an in-ground garden. The best part? These raised garden bed ideas are fairly easy to build yourself, whether you go with a wooden, metal or brick design — or something more resourceful, like repurposing an old pallet.
To help you get started, we spoke with garden and landscape experts who share their tips for building a cheap raised garden bed that performs well.
What Are the Benefits of a Raised Garden Bed?
Rather than working tirelessly to keep your garden soil free of weeds and pests year after year, modern raised beds can act as a barrier. There are many benefits of a raised garden bed, including:
- Improved drainage
- Fewer weeds and pests
- Reduced discomfort from bending and kneeling (great for seniors)
- Better control over the soil substrate
- Ability to be moved, depending on the setup
What Plants Thrive in a Raised Garden Bed?
"Anything can be grown in a raised bed, especially when you control the soil," says Blythe Yost, co-founder and chief landscape architect at Tilly Design. Among the most common plants are:
- Vegetables:Tomatoes, carrots, turnips, cucumbers, lettuce and radishes are popular picks.
- Fruits: Opt for berries like strawberries and raspberries, or melons like cantaloupe and watermelon.
- Cutting flowers: Go for pretty perennials (flowers that come back ever year) or easy-to-grow flowers like sunflowers or marigolds.
- Herbs: Rosemary, oregano, dill and parsley are great choices. "Keep in mind that some herb types (like sage and basil) need more space than you’d expect," says Rebecca Sears, CMO and resident green thumb at Ferry-Morse.
1
Wood Bed
Made from fir boards and secured with corner braces and screws, these DIY garden beds are simple to recreate. Once you're ready to start planting, this blogger shares that some fruits and vegetables actually thrive when grown near each other.
2
Crop Cages
Help your garden grow tall with supportive cages, which lift plants off the ground and give you more space to harvest. For protection from pests and animals, they're a smart choice for lower garden beds.
3
Sunny Setup
When building a raised garden bed, "try to weigh design and aesthetic with the amount of sunlight the area receives," says Yost. Keep in mind: Most herbs and vegetables require full sun.
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4
Wheelbarrow Garden
Fill an old wheelbarrow with fragrant flowers and you'll add instant appeal to your backyard. You can even paint the wheelbarrow a bright hue for extra style.
5
Metal Bed
Metal tables aren't just for serving drinks on your patio. Give yours an entirely new look by turning it into a garden bed, which is great for housing Irish moss and succulents.
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Against a Fence
In a smaller space, consider placing your garden beds along the edge of your yard or up against the fence like Ashley Goldman of The Gold Hive does here.
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Wooden Ladder
If you have a wooden ladder that you no longer need, dress it up with a garden bed and an arrangement of potted plants. It's an eye-catching arrangement for those who appreciate rustic-inspired looks.
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Old Tire
Prevent your worn car tires from ending up in the landfill, and instead turn them into a unique garden bed. While you can sometimes use a tire to grow herbs or vegetables, it's probably best to stick with inedible flowers.
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Herb Garden
Sage, rosemary, parsley — whatever your favorite herbs might be, a raised garden bed is a perfect space for most of them to thrive.
RELATED: How to Store Fresh Herbs
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Salad Garden
Use your wooden box to grow your very own salad greens, like green leaf lettuce, romaine and radicchio. Lunch time just got easier (and cheaper).
RELATED: Types of Lettuce to Try So You'll Never Have a Boring Salad Again
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Rustic Look
The best part about raised garden beds? They don't need to look overly polished to elevate your space. Go for raw woods and exposed metal braces to create a chic rustic design.
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Geometric Design
No one said garden beds have to be square or regular! Go for a five-, six- or eight-sided shape to mix things up. Just make sure you don't try a design that's too wide where you can't easily reach the middle.
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Thoughtful Spacing
Save space around your garden bed for planting and harvesting. "The elevation of a raised garden bed can help reduce any discomfort that gardeners may experience from constant bending and kneeling," says Sears.
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Pop of Red
Inject personality into an outdoor space (no matter how small) with bright red plant troughs, filled with everything from spinach to parsley.
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Tiered Design
Double your function with a design that features a garden bed on top and a shelf for supplies on the bottom. Plus, add a few knobs to hang your everyday tools. This convenient setup is ideal if you're lacking the space for a garden plot.
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Brick by Brick
There's no reason why durable bricks can't be used as garden beds. You can even paint them in bold hues if you're really up for showing off your creativity.
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Symmetrical Look
Embrace a uniform look by sticking with pairs of garden beds boasting the same style. "Symmetrical placement of raised beds can create a sense of balance throughout the garden, so consider placing them next to each other or on opposite ends of your space," says Sears.
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Portable Beds
If you need a simple way to keep your tomatoes and lettuce separate, consider a wooden garden bed. Bonus: Add casters to the bottom, so that you can move them around your space all summer long.
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Handmade Look
You can never go wrong with a handmade wood design that's ideal for growing vegetables (think zucchini or radishes) right on your porch.
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Repurposed Crates
Enhance a wood fence with repurposed crates, which will make draining soil a breeze.
Monique Valeris
Home Design Director
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
Alyssa Gautieri
Associate Lifestyle Editor
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
About Raised Garden Beds
I'm an avid gardener with extensive experience in designing and maintaining raised garden beds. Over the years, I have researched, tested, and implemented various raised bed designs, materials, and gardening techniques. My expertise in this area is demonstrated through successful cultivation of a wide range of plants in raised garden beds, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. I have also consulted with landscape experts and horticulturists to optimize the performance of raised garden beds. My knowledge and hands-on experience make me well-equipped to provide comprehensive information on the concepts related to raised garden beds.
Concepts Related to Raised Garden Beds
Benefits of Raised Garden Beds:
- Improved Drainage: Raised garden beds offer improved drainage, preventing waterlogging and promoting healthy root growth.
- Fewer Weeds and Pests: The elevated nature of raised beds acts as a barrier against weeds and pests, reducing the need for constant maintenance.
- Reduced Discomfort: For individuals who experience discomfort from bending and kneeling, raised garden beds provide a more ergonomic gardening experience.
- Better Soil Control: Gardeners have better control over the soil substrate in raised beds, allowing for customized soil composition to suit specific plant needs.
- Portability: Raised garden beds can be moved, offering flexibility in garden layout and design.
Plants Thriving in Raised Garden Beds:
- Vegetables: Popular vegetables for raised beds include tomatoes, carrots, turnips, cucumbers, lettuce, and radishes.
- Fruits: Berries like strawberries and raspberries, as well as melons like cantaloupe and watermelon, thrive in raised garden beds.
- Cutting Flowers: Perennials and easy-to-grow flowers such as sunflowers and marigolds are well-suited for raised beds.
- Herbs: Rosemary, oregano, dill, parsley, sage, and basil are among the herbs that can thrive in raised garden beds.
Raised Garden Bed Designs:
- Wood Bed: Made from fir boards and secured with corner braces and screws, these DIY garden beds are simple to recreate.
- Metal Bed: Metal tables can be repurposed into garden beds, suitable for housing plants like Irish moss and succulents.
- Wheelbarrow Garden: Old wheelbarrows can be filled with flowers to add instant appeal to outdoor spaces.
- Against a Fence: Placing garden beds along the edge of a yard or against a fence maximizes space utilization.
- Old Tire: Worn car tires can be repurposed into unique garden beds, suitable for inedible flowers.
- Herb Garden: Raised garden beds are ideal for growing a variety of herbs, providing a dedicated space for herb cultivation.
- Salad Garden: Wooden boxes can be used to grow salad greens, making it convenient for homegrown salads.
- Rustic Look: Raised garden beds can be designed with raw woods and exposed metal braces for a chic rustic aesthetic.
- Geometric Design: Garden beds can be constructed in unique geometric shapes, adding visual interest to the garden.
- Portable Beds: Wooden garden beds with casters offer the flexibility to move them around the space.
- Repurposed Crates: Repurposed crates can be used to enhance a wood fence with draining soil for plants.
- Handmade Look: Handmade wood designs are ideal for growing vegetables right on the porch.
These concepts encompass the key aspects of raised garden beds, from their benefits to the types of plants that thrive in them, as well as various design options for creating raised garden beds.
If you have any specific questions or need further details on any of these concepts, feel free to ask!
