Easy Raised Garden Beds on Legs

Vertical gardening is all the rage these days, and raised garden beds on legs are some of the most popular products on the market for EASY and CONVENIENT vertical gardening.

Let’s face it: Those of us “at a certain age” are tired of tending traditional garden beds down on the ground. It is nice to be able to enjoy flowers up close in a raised bed, and it is soooooo convenient to be able to grab a handful of healthy salad greens and a sprig of parsley from a waist-level container right outside of the kitchen door. Tall beds are fun for kids—maybe with the addition of a step stool – and they’re a downright necessity for older people who suffer from back pain, stiffness, and mobility issues.

Check out the following highly rated raised beds at Amazon. Many of them cost less than the price of good cedar wood (in case you were thinking of constructing your own), and they can easily be assembled in minutes.

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Arboria Cedar Raised Garden Planter Box with Shelf

45" long, 17" wide, 32" high; planting depth approx. 8"
Made in USA of top grade unstained Western Red Cedar
Walls fit into corner posts with tongue and groove construction
Sturdy, elegant, practical, and easy to assemble
Extra shelf down below is for decorative or storage purposes
Soil depth may not be deep enough for root vegetables

Greenes Fence Elevated Garden Bed

48" long, 24" wide, 31" high; planting depth is nearly 10"
Made in USA of North American Cedar
Dovetail construction, with precisely fitting joints
Includes ample fabric liner
High quality, excellent reviews, good value
Easy assembly
Wood is a bit rough and prone to splinter

Giantex Wooden Raised Vegetable Garden Bed

48.5" long, 22.5" wide, 30" high
Made of solid cedar wood
Durable and stable
Easy assembly (<15 minutes)
Holds roughly 6 cubic feet of soil
Many excellent buyer reviews at Amazon

Yaheetech Wooden Raised Garden Bed Planter Box

Dimensions: 49" long, 23" wide, 30" high
Made of unfinished cedar wood
Easy to assemble and disassemble
Planting depth approx. 10" (deep enough for tomatoes)

Gardener's Supply Raised Garden Bed

96" long, 24" wide, 29" high (generous size)
Bed depth 10" (suitable for big plants and root crops)
Made in Vermont (USA) of rot-resistant cedar; legs and corners are made of heavy duty, rustproof aluminum
Works well with a mini irrigation system
Comes with a planting guide
Pricier than many other raised beds, but it's a quality product with lots of growing space. Click here to see a shorter version (2' x 4') of this garden bed.
Some buyers noted that the pre-drilled holes didn't always line up properly with the other parts; a power screwdriver may be helpful for drilling more holes
Legs may sink into soft soil (so put a solid surface under each leg)

Why are tall outdoor garden beds better than traditional ones?

Elevated soil has better drainage, it doesn’t get trampled on and compacted, and it is less accessible to pests and critters. The convenient height of tall beds spares you from arduous weeding, raking, hoeing, and digging. What’s more, tall beds add architectural interest to your garden space. They’re nice looking and make great gifts for seniors, in particular.

BOTTOM LINE: These raised garden beds on legs offer better drainage, fewer pests, higher yields, better control over soil and fertilizer, and an easier, more enjoyable gardening experience.

What can I grow in a raised bed?

You can grow flowers, vegetables, herbs, or some of each. Favorites include salad ingredients such as lettuce, spinach, mini peppers, tomatoes, radishes, parsley, and basil.

Some people have been known to use these tall beds for creating miniature fairy gardens. One buyer filled the bed with a mixture of bark and moss and converted it into an indoor turtle table. Get creative!

Where should I locate my tall outdoor garden bed?

Put it in a sunny spot on your patio, deck or balcony, preferably near a water source. Keep it someplace visible so that you can appreciate its beauty. If the bed contains vegetables and herbs, you’ll certainly want to locate it near the kitchen.

A row of raised beds can be used as a “wall” to define a cozy outdoor “room.” Restaurant and cafe owners sometimes use multiple raised beds to create a barrier that separates an outdoor dining area from cars and roadways.

Some gardeners move their tall beds into a greenhouse to extend the growing season. Beds may also be stored in a shed or garage during the off-season, either disassembled or not.

What should I fill my raised beds with?

Start with a few bags of high-quality potting soil mixed with compost. Other soil amendments (manure, peat moss, kelp meal, etc.) can be added to meet the needs of your specific plants.

If you plan on filling many raised beds, multiply the height, width, and depth of the containers so that you can purchase soil by the cubic foot or cubic yard.

What do the buyers of tall outdoor garden beds look for?

They want beds that are sturdy, durable, and great looking.
They want beds that are quick and easy to assemble and that come with clear assembly instructions (which can often be found online).
Buyers love the look and smell of quality cedar (a naturally rot-resistant wood), and they prefer to buy beds made in the USA.
A planting depth of about 10” is often preferred. A standard height for a planter on legs is 30”.

Here are further tips and advice from satisfied buyers of elevated garden beds

Position the bed where you want it BEFORE adding the heavy soil. If you plan on moving the raised bed after it is filled up, you might want to attach some casters to the four posts at the time of assembly.
If the bed if made of rough-sawn wood, wear gloves when assembling it (to avoid splinters).
A rubber mallet may be helpful for inserting the sides into the posts. (A regular hammer would dent the wood.) A power screwdriver might also come in handy.
The landscape fabric that generally comes with beds should be stapled into place. If using a plastic liner, poke holes in it for drainage.
Cedar wood naturally weathers to a silvery grey. If you want to further preserve and protect the wood, coat it with a product such as Gronomics Cedar Garden Bed Oil (available here at Amazon).
Some beds come rough-sawn (for a rustic look), and others are smoothly sanded (for a more finished look). Expect to pay more for the smoothly sanded beds. (Of course, you can do some sanding yourself.)
If you have any trouble assembling a bed with tongue and groove construction, smooth out the wood with a file or some coarse sandpaper to get a proper fit. Wood may crack if it is forced together.
Some buyers further strengthen their beds with extra screws, extra glue on the joints, metal brackets, mending plates, etc.

Tall outdoor garden beds are sprouting up everywhere because they offer easy, convenient, pain-free gardening. Check out these highly rated raised beds on legs and JOIN THE RAISED BED REVOLUTION!