Best Raised Garden Beds

How to Choose a Raised Garden Bed

Raised beds solve problems: bad soil, poor drainage, back pain, limited space. They're not magic—you still need to garden—but they make gardening dramatically more accessible.

Material Trade-offs

Cedar/Redwood: Natural rot resistance, beautiful, expensive. Lasts 10-15 years untreated.
Pine/Fir: Cheap, rots quickly unless treated. Treated wood raises chemical concerns near food.
Metal: Long-lasting, heats soil faster (good and bad), more expensive.
Composite/Plastic: No rot, no maintenance, variable aesthetics.
Stone/Block: Permanent, expensive, labor-intensive to install.

### Depth Matters

6-8": Shallow-rooted crops only (lettuce, herbs, radishes)
- 10-12": Most vegetables including peppers, beans, smaller tomatoes
- 18"+: Root vegetables, large tomatoes, unrestricted root growth

Deeper is almost always better if budget allows. Roots need room.

### Size Strategy

4x4 feet: Manageable, accessible from all sides, fits small yards
4x8 feet: The classic, accessible from sides, efficient use of materials
Narrow (2-3 feet wide): Good for against fences, accessible from one side

You need to reach the center without stepping into the bed. Don't exceed 4 feet wide unless you can access from both sides.

### Location Considerations

Vegetables need 6-8 hours of direct sun. Don't put your beautiful raised bed in the only shady corner. Level ground prevents water pooling. Proximity to water source prevents resentment during drought.