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Cultivate a bountiful garden with these raised garden beds.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
They can also help keep weeds and pesky critters,like molesor deer, at bay.
For more information on how we tested the raised garden beds, check outour testing processbelow.
The assembly took two and half hours.
Credit: Amazon
We tested the version that is 17 inches deep, which allowed us to grow plants with deep roots.
Plus, we found that we didnt have to bend over as much while gardening.
That said, the panels were free of flaws and looked great thanks to this protective film.
The soil drained well after watering, and we didn’t have issues with fungus or root rot.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Laura Miller
The non-toxic paint made us feel more comfortable planting vegetables in the raised garden bed.
Of course, keep in mind that these accessories can substantially increase your total cost.
Plus, it offers handy storage space.
The raised beds material felt cheaper than some other models we tested, and assembly took almost two hours.
During assembly, we were initially concerned with the quality of this raised garden bed.
It took us nearly two hours to assemble it with a standard screwdriver.
The bottom slates have over 40 screws, which was the most time consuming part of the assembly.
At the time of publishing, the flowers have grown strong and tall, but havent bloomed quite yet.
Due to its size, this planter required two people for assembly.
Despite having to recruit a helper for assembly, we appreciated the easy-to-follow instructions and the online video tutorial.
The raised garden bed includes a fabric liner on the bottom to help protect the wood box.
The irrigation system that helps keep plants watered was a bit tricky to set up.
Initially, the package arrived without all of the necessary parts.
However, when we reached out to the company, they were helpful and shipped the missing parts immediately.
The raised garden bed also features a mist-spray watering system that runs along the top of the cover.
Setting up this system initially was a bit difficult.
Once we got the system set up correctly, it seemed to work well.
If you are looking for more planting space, the company also offers two larger sizes of planters.
It doesnt have a bottom, so we recommended adding landscape fabric to help prevent weeds.
We were also pleased that this raised garden bed was simple and easy to assemble.
Thanks to a tongue-and-groove system, the raised bed frame fits together without any tools.
However, we wish the instructions included illustrations to help us better understand how the frame fit together.
Because it is a frame, keep in mind that it doesnt have a bottom piece.
We recommended placing some landscaping fabric down before adding your soil to help prevent weeds.
We chose theVego Garden Raised Garden Bed Kitbecause it is made of high-quality metal.
Throughout the testing period, we evaluated the quality of each raised bed and its overall style and design.
Then pick a size of raised bed that will fit in the remaining area.
Choose awidththat allows you to reach all plants without stepping into the bed, Miller says.
If you might reach plants from both sides, a width of 3 to 4 feet is fine.
Thelengthof the bed can be determined by your personal preference and the size of your space.
Credit: Amazon
Youll commonly find raised garden beds that are between 4 feet and 10 feet long.
Tomatoes, squash, peppers, and other deep-root crops require at least 18 inches of soil.
Plus, tall beds offer additional benefits, saysJustin Hancock, a horticulturalist with Costa Farms.
We were shocked with how many of our sunflower and wildflower seeds sprouted into healthy plants.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Brandi Fuller
It’s also important to consider whats underneath the raised garden bed because many dont have a bottom.
However, be aware that deeper beds will be more expensive to fill.
Material
Wood and metal are the most popular options for raised beds.
Metal will give you a more modern look and it will stand up well for many years to come.
Either makes a good material for a raised bed, depending on your budget and style needs.
Some beds are also made from vinyl or resin, which are strong plastic materials.
In my experience, resin is a good middle ground between wood and metal, Neveln says.
Its more durable than wood but less expensive than metal.
It may not look as lovely for your Instagram shots, but resin raised beds will work very well.
Theyre very economical, although they may not last as long as some other materials, Neveln says.
you’re free to alsomake a raised garden bed with brickor stones.
If you want to create avegetable gardenin your raised bed, look for a material that is food safe.
That barrier helps avoid inadvertently surfacing weed seeds as you dig in your raised beds, she says.
A liner can also be helpful if you have burrowing creatures.
Some taller raised beds that stand on legs come with a liner.
If youre using a liner, its important that you allow water to drain out the bottom.
To ensure that set-up will be easy, look for a kit that doesnt require tools to put together.
Spoonemore also recommends looking for pre-cut/pre-drilled pieces, interlocking designs, and lightweight materials.
If you really want to make assembly easy, you might also opt for fabric grow beds.
TheGreenes Fence Original Cedar Raised Garden Bedfeatures a tongue-and-groove system that makes the wood bed easy to assemble.
Your Questions, Answered
What is the lifespan of a raised garden bed?
In general, the more durable the material used, the longer a raised garden bed will last.
Metal or resin generally will last longer than wood, Neveln says.
How much do raised garden beds cost?
Higher quality beds made of more durable materials may cost $200 to $300 or more.
If you want a larger raised garden bed or higher-quality materials, youll usually end up spending more.
This extra space and durability increases the price to $350.
What Is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Who We Are
Renee Freemon Mulvihillis a writer and editor who specializes in home and garden topics.
Brandi Fulleris a shopping editor for Better Homes & Gardens.
She has also written about topics such as pest control, gardening, and outdoor products.
Credit: Amazon
Thanks to its height of 29 inches, we didn’t have to bend over to work in the garden bed.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Caitlin Sole
Credit: Amazon
We planted four pepper plants in this small raised garden bed.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Viveka Neveln
Credit: The Home Depot
No tools were required for assembly thanks to the tongue-and-groove system.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Brie Goldman
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
