That’s why we tapped Nick Cutsumpas, AKA, Farmer Nick<\/a>, a gardener, landscaper, and “plantrepreneur” who knows choosing the right raised bed can make all the difference in your garden’s success. Below, Cutsumpas offers advice on raised beds based on environment, living space, and more; plus his personal the best ones to shop.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all answer to finding the best raised beds for your garden. It\u2019s important to consider the setting in which you\u2019ll be gardening and what your end goal is. How much space do you have? What\u2019s the climate like? Are you looking to invest in a piece that you\u2019ll have forever? What kind of plants do you plan on growing<\/a>? Of course, aesthetics matter when adding a new structure to your backyard, but when buying raised beds Cutsumpas notes that \u201cthe most important thing you should evaluate is the material.\u201d<\/p>\n Although a wood finish looks more natural, it won\u2019t last forever; especially in humid climates where \u201cthey\u2019ll degrade faster than in dry environments.\u201d However, if you do live somewhere that doesn\u2019t experience muggy summer days as often, lumber options like \u201ccedar and redwood are naturally rot resistant\u201d for the gardener who favors an organic approach and is fine with needing to replace their garden set up in a few years. Nonetheless, If functionality is at the forefront of your raised bed wishlist, \u201cmetal beds will last for much longer,\u201d and with the recent cost increase of lumber the two materials price out to a similar amount.<\/p>\n In addition to material, the size and shape of your raised bed are critical factors to consider because with more space comes more maintenance and work. If you have the square footage available in your yard to run with a large bed, so be it, but Cutsumpas says new gardeners will be \u201camazed at how many plants can fit in a standard three-foot-by-six-foot bed\u201d for those who are working with a small apartment balcony, or simply don\u2019t want to bite off more than they can chew. The shape of your beds is an important, yet usually underrated, element to consider but choosing dimensions that \u201callow you to reach all areas of the bed and allow for proper walkways between them\u201d make for a more functional garden overall.<\/p>\n Stagnant water pooling around your precious plants can drown their roots and attract pesky pests<\/a> and diseases, which is why you should opt for raised beds with proper drainage. Some materials, like cedar, are naturally rot-resistant and allow excess moisture to drain away more effectively than other types of wood. If you opt for a metal or plastic raised bed, however, you’ll want to make sure they have proper (and effective) drainage holes to give water somewhere to go.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n A modern take on a classic raised bed, Vego Garden marries longevity and modernity with its raised bed that comes in an array of stunning color finishes while promising a 20+ year lifespan. The mid-shin height gives easy, quick access to your garden while keeping pests at bay. Each bed is completely modular, allowing you to choose from nine different configurations depending on your needs, and easy to set up. The weather-resistant recyclable metal and food-safe materials are huge wins, too. Plus, the monochrome raised bed setup looks gorgeous in any garden.<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 17\u201d tall, customizable length<\/p>\n Materials:<\/strong> VZ 2.0 material made from a steel substrate coated in zinc, aluminum, & magnesium + USDA-certified paint<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Pros:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Cons:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Cutsumpas\u2019 favorite choice within his own garden is this cedar bed from Gardener\u2019s Supply Company. The brand\u2019s mission is one to get behind; \u201cIt\u2019s a B-corp, employee-owned company that makes some of the most high-quality garden products out there, and its beds come in all shapes, sizes, and materials,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n At 14-inches deep, these beds are perfect for deep-rooted veggies and shallow herbs alike. As for durability, the cedar is naturally rot-resistant, while the aluminum corners are designed to withstand weather and corrosion over time. Quick and easy to set up, these planters are sure to look good and produce even better- looking harvests, season after season.<\/p>\n Dimensions<\/b>: 4\u2019 x 4\u2019 x 14\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Materials<\/b>: Cedar panels, aluminum corners<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Pros:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Cons:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Offering multiple beds in one, this expansive setup is a one-stop shop for creating the garden of your dreams. The deep, 20-inch beds throughout this kit retain more moisture than shorter beds and open up the possibility of growing larger plants, without swamping out the roots, of course. Intentional details like wheelchair accessibility, an optional automatic watering system, and a fence that doubles as a trellis make this kit worth the price tag.<\/p>\n Dimensions<\/b>: 12\u2019 x 8\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n Materials<\/b>: Cedar<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Pros:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Cons:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <!– –><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re lacking the space for a traditional raised bed, <\/span>Cutsumpas recommends trying hydroponic plants, which grow in water as opposed to soil. T<\/span>his upright farmstand can grow 18-36 plants (depending on the size you choose) simultaneously in a fraction of the space, using a fraction of the water. <\/span>Cutsumpas has his Lettuce Grow situated <\/span>right next to his raised beds outside, yet still close to his kitchen, to make the fresh herbs and leafy greens it produces extra accessible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dimensions: <\/strong>4’3″ x 22″<\/p>\n Materials:\u00a0<\/strong>BPA-free, food-grade plastic<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Pros:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Cons:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n This free-standing tiered planter may occupy a small space, but it produces big results. All plants are placed in a staggered formation to ensure that they get enough sunlight and water despite which plastic bed they\u2019re placed in on the structure. Each bed is also removable, making it easy to give them individual TLC or move things around as needed.<\/p>\n Dimensions<\/b>: 27\u201d x 22.5\u201d x 45\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Materials<\/b>: Iron, polypropylene<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Pros:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Cons:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\nBest raised garden beds, at a glance:<\/h2>\n
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What to look for when shopping for raised beds<\/h2>\n
Material<\/h3>\n
Size and shape<\/h3>\n
Drainage<\/h3>\n
Shop 7 raised beds for all types of gardeners<\/h2>\n
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