Raised garden beds help you tight control over soil quality and soil moisture so your plants can grow more holistically.
Besides, they also provide you with smart systems such as self-watering to save you time in gardening. With my farming experience, I can help you choose the best raised garden beds for your family.
Our Suggestions
If you have much time to read all the detailed reviews of each product, you can refer to the list below that was chosen by our team after a long testing process.
- Best Overall: Vego Garden 6-in-1 Raised Garden Bed
- Best Budget: Emsco Group City Pickers Raised Bed Grow Box
- Best Wood: Greenes Fence Elevated Garden Bed
- Best Metal: Sunnydaze Raised Metal Garden Bed Kit
- Best Multi-Tiered: Yaheetech 3-Tier Raised Garden Bed
- Best Trellis: Gardener’s Supply Company Elevated Planter Box and Trellis Set
- Best Wheels: Foyuee Raised Planter Box On Wheels
- Best For Herbs: VegTrug 8-Pocket Herb Garden
- Best Self-Watering: Keter Easy Grow Raised Garden Bed
In-Depth Reviews 9 Best Raised Garden Beds for Your Backyard
We will explore in-depth reviews of the nine best raised garden beds available for your backyard. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these raised garden beds offer durability, versatility, and functionality to enhance your gardening experience.
1. Vego Garden 6-in-1 Raised Garden Bed Kit
With a special design, this Vego Garden raised bed allows you to choose 1 of 6 different models to suit the size of your garden.
According to our reviews, the most popular sizes are 2′ x 6.5′ and 3.5′ x 5′. Made from metal, the outer surface is coated with Aluzinc to prevent rust and protect the environment.
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They allow the steel-raised bed to withstand the harsh conditions of nature such as high temperatures and heavy acid rain.
The highlight of the product is the corner design, all corners are rounded to create an oval shape and the diverse paint colors will also give you a lot of choices in decorating the garden.
Some customers enjoy this design because that prevents their pans from getting caught in the sharp corners when moving back and forth.
The maximum allowable soil height of up to 17 inches is suitable for most plants from vegetables to tubers. This standard size allows the root to grow better and when gardening you will feel more comfortable without bending too low.
The design helps the raised garden bed drain quickly to the ground directly to avoid waterlogging and prevent insects from attacking the plant.
Besides the 17 in. height selection below, you can refer to other options in height such as 11 in, or 32 in. The Vego 32 in. raised beds are taller which contains more soil and mixed and ideal for deep rooting plants such as carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc…but it isn’t the best height for raised beds, so you have to stand up when gardening or using a wheelchair.
Another option for simple farming needs is 11 in. is the best option for you. I have tried growing leafy vegetables on this raised bed and found that they grow quite well, veggies such as spinach, coriander, etc… produce large leaves of perfect quality, which means that this raised garden bed provides good conditions for veggies short-term crops.
If you are looking to add more nutrition to your meals with vegetables or herbs, choose this product.
Our Realistic Test
Because of versatility when you assemble, they will provide you with many shapes that meet your needs. Here we try to grow some common plants on this, let’s see the result after a period of time.
2. Emsco Group City Pickers Raised Bed Grow Box
This a great design for homeowners with limited space, often having to change, and wanting to grow plants and vegetables. The wheeled raised bed has 4 wheel design that makes it easy to move, so you can choose the places with the best weather conditions for the plant growing.
Self-watering without you having to water often by the structure of the small water tank below (2 gallons). This portable raised bed is perfect for patios, apartments, balconies, and other urban areas with limited space.
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We know what you’re wondering about their plastic material but don’t worry, I’ll clear it up right away. The plastic used for this product is polyethylene, which is absolutely safe for human health and has been tested in many places, it is safe to grow common vegetables or herbs.
This garden bed is only 9 inches deep, so it is not suitable for growing root vegetables. This is rather shallow, so the evaporation rate will be more than those with a height of 16 – 17 inches or more.
However, you can use an additional layer of humus or a plastic sheet covering to reduce the evaporation rate of the soil.
Overall, this is still the most suitable option for those who don’t have a lot of money but is still very convenient.
Our Realistic Test
We tried to grow some small plants on these raised beds and all of them grow very healthy.
3. Greenes Fence Elevated Garden Bed
If you are wondering about choosing a garden bed that is durable and absolutely safe for health, you should choose cedar or redwood. What a wonderful feeling when opening the box of Greenes Fence Elevated Cedar Raised Garden Bed, it is a fresh aroma of the cedar wood.
This is a type of wood that can withstand harsh weather conditions, on average they can last from 15 to 20 years while other types of wood only have an average life of 2 years.
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Extremely sturdy construction using 11/16″ cedar. To install them simply slide the slats into the posts so they connect and secure them with strong hammer blows without the need for screws.
Absolutely no glue and chemicals, besides there are still holes to ensure the drainage of the bed. However, to prevent soil from falling, you should use floor mats before pouring soil.
With a height of up to 31 inches that makes caring for your garden easier, you don’t even have to stoop every time you prune or harvest, and also prevents insects from attacking your plants.
Some customers are concerned that wood materials will lose quality or be severely damaged when left outdoors for a long time. However, based on reviews from my friends who have used the product for a long time, it provides an impressive durability that is not inferior to metal materials, ensuring peace of mind for you.
Our Realistic Test
Planting some herbs on elevated raised beds that adds flavor to your meals.
4. Sunnydaze Raised Metal Garden Bed Kit
The material is durable galvanized steel allowing them to last a long time in a variety of environmental conditions.
In particular, they are more durable than plastic and wood and become the best choice for people living in harsh climates. Simple assembly with specialized tools included.
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Sunnydaze is a great place to grow a variety of plants because its hexagonal design allows for a large usable surface area but space saving.
Up to 40 inches in width are also suitable for growing climbing plants such as pumpkins and watermelons. With the structure open at the bottom, water will be drained directly into the ground without having to go through a drainage hole.
Our Realistic Test
Here are some pictures we collected from using hexagon to grow
5. Yaheetech 3-Tier Raised Garden Bed
The 3 tiers raised garden bed allows you to grow plants with different care methods on the same garden bed. You might also consider planting plants that have their roots growing at a higher position to match their characteristic.
According to the designer’s specifications, the height of each floor is 8″, 15″, and 21″, so the calculation of the appropriate volume of soil to pour into each floor should be carefully considered.
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Assembly will be easier if you use specialized tools such as a drill because there will be some very hard parts.
A small detail is that you can easily change to 2 tiers raised garden beds or 1 tier, but according to individual needs and preferences, assembly or disassembly is quite simple and does not take too much time.
Our Realistic Test
To fill the soil in this 3 tier raised bed, you need to prepare about 18-20 cubic feet of topsoil. In fact, it also depends on the plant you grow.
6. Gardener’s Supply Company Elevated Planter Box and Trellis Set
Regarding the material, we do not need to talk too much about the quality of the cedar. They have a natural fresh scent and resist rot, warping, and repel harmful insects that want to attack your garden. It is recommended to use a fabric lining on the bottom to help the bed last longer.
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Comfortable height design for your lower back during garden care and harvesting. These trellis raised beds equip 2 trellis panels (40 x 47 inches) for growing and harvesting climbing plants or some flowers including tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, perches, and squash
. Avoid direct contact of agricultural products with the ground to damage or possibly be attacked by some types of animals. The height of 10 inches is suitable for growing vegetables and some other agricultural products except for root vegetables.
Our Realistic Test
It is helpful with climbing plants that provide a place for plants to get the sunlight better. Sometimes, we can hang some flower vases on this.
7. Foyuee Raised Planter Box On Wheels
In limited spaces, especially in balconies or apartments, lighting conditions are almost always lacking for plants and flowers.
They often tend to stretch out to places where there is light, some plants may die or fail to grow. The only solution is to use portable raised garden beds.
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With the FOYUEE Raised Planter Box, you can easily move them outside or inside the eaves using the design with 2 wheels and a push handle.
With drainage holes and lines, your plants on raised garden beds prevent waterlogging.
Lightweight and suitable height make it easy to use during gardening. And especially with a height of more than 31 inches, the ability to receive sunlight will be better and limit the penetration of harmful insects.
Our Realistic Test
Although made from metal, they are very light in weight. Plus, being equipped with wheels will help you move it anywhere around your house. Sometimes I might turn it into an outdoor grill.
8. VegTrug 8-Pocket Herb Garden
Because it is designed to grow herbs, the planting surface is divided into 8 different pockets suitable for controlling each type of plant in the garden bed.
Standing 23 inches tall VegTrug 8-Pocket Herb Garden is taller than some common garden beds to help herbs have better light conditions and prevent the spread of pests from surrounding areas.
The installation process is extremely easy but we recommend using tools such as drills for absolute precision.
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Made of weather-resistant cedar and ensures plants are healthy. Drainage holes are fully designed for convenient drainage in each pocket. Underneath these cedar raised garden beds is also a handy lower shelf that allows you to store your garden tools in the most convenient way.
Our Realistic Test
It works very well, I loved the way they divided it into 8 different areas so that you can grow many types of herbs with their different cares.
9. Keter Easy Grow Raised Garden Bed
With Keter’s Easy Grow Raised Garden Bed, you won’t have to worry about your plants running out of water by a self-watering system, water is stored by a reservoir below.
All soil moisture warnings will be displayed on the gauge that you need to know when pouring more water to control your garden.
Another special feature is the leak-proof system that makes the garden bed suitable for indoor.
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Stands about 30 inches, suitable for adult height, so you do not have to stoop when tending to the garden.
Keter Really Garden Bed is very easy to assemble, only requires a screwdriver to reattach the legs and the construction is very sturdy enough to hold a lot of soil inside.
Our Realistic Test
For someone who hasn’t bought it yet, you can feel it a quite small but trust me, the Keter Easy Grow Raised Garden Bed is enough place for all the plants you like.
Buying Guide: What to Consider before buying a Raised Garden Bed for Your Backyard
There are four basic types of raised garden beds that you need to know before choosing the most suitable product for your home and garden: raised ground beds, supported raised beds, containerized raised beds, and elevated raised beds.
Raised ground beds: This type of raised garden has a simple structure and you can design them with available materials. The height is usually less than 8 inches due to the unstable structure. This is the option that best suits your budget.
Supported raised beds have a sturdy construction as it is fixed by corners which are usually made of metal. The inside is fixed by metal rods that make its structure more stable and can hold a lot of soil inside.
Containerized raised beds have a closed bottom construction with a few drainage holes in the bottom. Their height is usually over 12 inches tall and requires a lot of soil to fill. Using a raised bed packed in a crate gives you good soil quality control and prevents critters from attacking your plants.
Elevated raised beds have a 4-legged construction that elevates their overall height by over 30 inches. This height makes you comfortable in caring for your garden. It also helps plants have better conditions to receive sunlight and limits the possibility of entry from harmful animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kind of plant can I grow in a raised garden bed?
You can grow all kinds of plants on raised garden beds such as vegetables, tubers, fruits, herbs, flowers, etc… However, to get the best effect when growing plants, you should consider choosing products suitable for the type of plant you want to grow. They depend on many factors and one of them is the height of the soil. For some plants with developed roots such as carrots, radishes, etc… the best height to plant them is more than 12 inches.
2. What is the best soil is good for a raised garden bed?
The plants on raised garden beds are best developed with a topsoil-free mix, using organic fertilizers, perlite, and coir. It creates a suitable environment for plants to grow healthy and safe, this mixture helps to retain water longer and maintain proper moisture for plants. Compost provides necessary nutrients. for healthy plant growth and high yield.
3. What benefits of a raised garden bed?
Best condition: Plants grown in raised garden beds can easily control moisture, and the quality of the soil is also strictly controlled to ensure the health of plants and people’s health. Plants grown in raised gardens tend to be warmer than outside.
Final Thought
Above is a detailed review of each product according to our tests. Hopefully, through this article, you will base on those assessments to make the right choices for yourself.
