Raised beds can be as humble or as elaborate as you would like. The benefits of raised garden beds include better soil drainage, easy access to plants, portability, soil customization increased soil control, and also the ability to keep weeds and pests at bay.
You can easily DIY raised beds from recycled materials you might have on hand (like used bricks or wood planks) or purchase a kit that comes with all of the materials you need. Popular raised garden bed materials also include stones, mulch, and straw. The foundation option you choose will depend on if you are building permanent or temporary raised beds. Once built, raised beds have about the same maintenance cost as traditional gardens.
If you have a large raised bed, you may line the bottom with large stones, plastic bottles, or straws so the water drains—plan for drainage holes at the bottom of your raised bed planter. While you don’t need to line a planter, it is recommended because it keeps burrowing animals away from the roots and allows for good drainage while keeping the soil intact.
Read on for some raised garden bed ideas to kickstart your brainstorming.
The Spruce / Jacob Fox
What Is a Raised Garden Bed?
Raised bed gardening involves growing plants in soil above the ground. You can accomplish this with an enclosure or frame made of wood, stone, bales of hay, or even repurposed material like old dressers.
In-Ground Gardens vs. Raised Garden Beds
Both in-ground gardens and raised garden beds have benefits, drawbacks, and differences to consider. Here are the most common:
Soil: A raised garden bed allows you to control your soil more, building it up with compost and the topsoil of your choice, but some plants and flowers prefer the native soil you would find in an in-ground bed. Raised beds also tend to provide better drainage.
Growing space: In-ground beds provide more space for plants to grow and expand overall. However, raised beds are better suited for delicate-rooted pants since there are no rocks or obstacles they would encounter.
Pest and weed control: Raised beds are more efficient in preventing weeds and pests since they sit above the ground. You also have the option to use mesh wire in raised beds to keep out small burrowing animals.
Cost: Up front, raised beds are more expensive than in-ground beds. There is a higher cost of materials and possibly an additional labor cost if you hire someone to build them. But over time, both will cost around the same to maintain.