Raised Garden Beds: The Ultimate Buying Guide
Raised planters provide a convenient alternative to regular garden beds. They usually stand tall so that gardeners can easily access the plants without having to bend down. Multi-tiered plant beds also provide more planting space and are perfect for small gardens or terraces. This buying guide highlights a great selection of the topelevated plant beds of 2024, but still settling for one can be tricky. Don’t worry, though; we are about to equip you with all the knowledge you need to make an informed decision.
Things To Consider Before Buying Raised Garden Beds
Before splashing the cash on a new raised garden bed, consider these essential factors. These factors ensure that you get good value for your money and have a bed that meets your expectations.
Material
The material used to make a garden bed is crucial to consider. To a large extent, a bed’s material determines its durability. Wood, metal, and plastic are the three most common materials used to make garden beds. The durability of wooden garden beds, which are usually firm and stable, depends on the type of wood used. Meanwhile, metal garden beds are less common than wooden ones, but they are somewhat more practical with their lightweight build. One potential reason for metallic beds’ lack of popularity is their propensity to rust; something wood doesn’t need to worry about. Garden beds made of plastic, our final construction, are the most lightweight of the three. Their lightweight build makes them easy to carry and relocate, but they are also most likely to break.
Drainage hole
Since the soil used in raised garden beds is contained in a box, excess water must find its way out of the unit, hence, drainage holes. Drainage holes are holes through which excess water leaves the plant box. Letting out excess water ensures that the bed does not become waterlogged and the plants do not experience root rot. Some elevated planters come with pre-drilled holes, while others have none. To save yourself the stress of drilling the holes, you should look for a bed with pre-drilled drainage holes.
Width and depth
The width of the plant bed is another factor to consider before purchase as it influences the number of plants the bed can accommodate at a time. The wider the bed, the more plants you can place there. Wider beds typically cost more than narrow ones. In addition to the width, the depth of the bed should also be considered. The depth requirements of plants vary; thus, ensure you buy a bed that has sufficient depth for the plants you want to grow.
Height
The distinguishing feature of a raised planter is its height. You must consider how tall the bed is before buying one. This factor is even more important for users who are getting the bed because of a medical condition that does not allow them to bend down to tend to their garden. Raised garden beds are available at different heights. Therefore, you should buy a raised bed that sits at a height where you can easily tend to your plants without straining your back or aggravating your condition.
Ease of assembly
Due to their size, it is unlikely that your raised garden bedwill come fully assembled. Therefore, to ensure a seamless assembling process, you should get a bed that has an uncomplicated assembly process. Correctly forming the unit ensures it will serve you optimally, providing you with a stable bed that you can confidently use to grow plants.
Design
Traditionally, raised garden beds are rectangular boxes sitting on four elevated legs. New raised garden bed designs offer a variety of styles. One of the most common new designs is that of vertical beds. They are made up of planting bins that sit vertically in tiers, which allow you to compartmentalize your plants while maintaining an aesthetic look.
Portability
Another factor to consider is the ease of moving the garden bed around. If it is lightweight, moving it around will not be a problem. If it comes with wheels, that is perfect. Plant beds with wheels attached to the base are easier to move around. However, they may cost slightly more than those without wheels.
Extras
Extra features on araised garden bedare likely to make them costlier. However, features like liners, bottom reinforcement, and storage space will make gardening more enjoyable. Liners help insulate the soil against temperature changes. Storage space allows you to keep the gardening tools nearby for easy access, and, depending on the size of the storage space, you can also place a mini-bed in it. Keep in mind, though, that raised garden beds withextra features may cost more than those without them.
How Much Do Raised Garden Beds Cost?
The price of a raised bed depends on various factors. The type and quality of materials used to make the bed is a major factor that affects the price. Also, the width and extra features affect the price as well. Overall, elevated planters can cost between $30 and $350. You can usually balance cost and quality with beds ranging between $50 and $170.
Because raised garden beds will be an investment for your garden, you’ll want to avoid early mistakes. This YouTube video by Epic Gardening discusses nine beginner raised bed mistakes you want to avoid making.
