For most people, a 4 by 8 foot bed 10 to 17 inches deep is the sweet spot. Our top pick is the Greenes Fence Premium Cedar kit for a classic look and easy assembly. Choose Vego Garden modular metal for longer life and deeper soil, or Birdies tall metal beds if you want to garden without bending.
A raised bed is the shortcut most new gardeners wish someone had told them about. Instead of fighting rocky, compacted or clay soil, you build a box, fill it with good soil and start planting the same weekend. Raised beds drain better, warm up faster in spring, keep paths clear, and are easier on your back.
Building one from scratch is fine if you have the tools, but a kit takes the cutting and measuring out of it. Here is what matters when choosing one, and the five kits we think are worth your money.
What to look for in a raised bed kit
- Material. Cedar looks natural and resists rot without chemicals but slowly grays and lasts roughly 5 to 15 years depending on thickness and climate. Galvanized or Aluzinc metal lasts much longer, often 20 years or more, and allows deeper beds. Composite and HDPE plastic are low-maintenance but can look less natural.
- Depth. 6 to 8 inches works for lettuce and herbs. Most vegetables want 10 to 12 inches. Tomatoes, carrots and potatoes do best with 12 to 18 inches. Taller beds (24 inches or more) are wonderful for bad knees, but need a lot more soil.
- Size. Keep the width to 4 feet or less so you can reach the middle from both sides without stepping on the soil.
- Assembly. Tool-free dovetail or snap-together designs are fastest. Metal beds with many bolts take longer.
- Safety edges. On metal beds, rolled or capped top edges protect hands and arms.
Work out your soil before you buy. A 4 x 8 foot bed 12 inches deep needs about 32 cubic feet of soil, roughly 16 two-cubic-foot bags. Our free Soil & Mulch Calculator does the math for any size.
Our top 5 raised garden bed kits
The 5 best raised garden bed kits
Prices change often, so check the store for today's price.Greenes Fence Premium Cedar Raised Garden Bed (4 x 8 ft)
A classic-looking cedar bed with dovetail joints that slide together without tools, so most people have it built in under half an hour. At about 10.5 inches deep, it suits most vegetables and flowers.
- Natural, untreated cedar
- Tool-free dovetail assembly
- Can be stacked for extra depth
- Easy to expand
- Downside: Cedar weathers to gray over time
- Downside: Thinner budget versions do not last as long in wet climates
How to use it: Level the ground first, line the bottom with cardboard to smother grass, then fill with a raised bed mix.
Vego Garden 9-in-1 Modular Metal Raised Bed (17 in. tall)
A long-lasting Aluzinc steel bed that can be set up in nine different shapes, with rolled safety edges and 17 inches of depth that tomatoes, carrots and potatoes love.
- Very long lifespan
- Nine layout options
- Deep enough for root crops
- Rolled safety edges
- Downside: Assembly with bolts takes 45–60 minutes
- Downside: Needs a lot of soil to fill
How to use it: Pick a layout that keeps the bed no wider than 4 feet, then fill the bottom third with logs, sticks or leaves to save on soil.
Birdies Large Modular Raised Garden Bed (29 in. tall)
The original Australian modular metal bed. At 29 inches tall you can garden standing or sitting, which makes a huge difference for anyone with back or knee trouble.
- Comfortable working height
- Stainless hardware
- Five possible footprints
- Vinyl safety edging
- Downside: One of the pricier kits
- Downside: Needs lots of fill material
How to use it: Fill the bottom half with branches, leaves and old untreated wood (the hugelkultur method) and top with 12 inches of quality soil.
Frame It All Snap-Lock Composite Raised Bed (4 x 4 ft)
Made from recycled plastic and wood fiber that will not rot, splinter or need staining. Corners snap together without tools and stack for extra depth.
- No rot and no maintenance
- Tool-free snap-together build
- Stackable and expandable
- Downside: Heavier than it looks
- Downside: Plastic look is not for everyone
How to use it: Start with one 4 x 4 bed for herbs and salad, then add another kit to expand.
Lifetime HDPE Raised Garden Bed (4 x 4 ft)
An inexpensive, UV-protected plastic bed that is quick to set up and simple to stack. A great way to try raised bed gardening without a big investment.
- Very affordable
- Light and easy to move
- Stacks for more depth
- Downside: About 9 inches deep, so best for shallow-rooted crops
- Downside: Not as handsome as cedar or metal
How to use it: Ideal for lettuce, herbs, strawberries and flowers. Stack two for tomatoes.
Quick comparison
| Kit | Material | Depth | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenes Fence Premium Cedar | Cedar | About 10.5 in. | Most people, first garden |
| Vego Garden 9-in-1 | Aluzinc steel | 17 in. | Long life, root crops |
| Birdies Large Modular | Aluzinc steel | 29 in. | Gardening without bending |
| Frame It All Snap-Lock | Composite | Stackable | No maintenance |
| Lifetime HDPE | HDPE plastic | About 9 in. | Tight budget, herbs and salad |
How to set up a raised bed
- Pick the spot. At least 6 to 8 hours of sun for vegetables, close to a water source.
- Level the ground roughly with a spade so the bed sits evenly.
- Smother the grass with plain cardboard (tape and labels removed). No need to dig it out.
- Assemble and position the bed.
- Fill smart. For tall beds, fill the bottom third to half with logs, branches and leaves. Top with a mix of about 60 percent topsoil and 40 percent compost, or a bagged raised bed mix.
- Water well and let it settle for a few days before planting. Top up with more soil if it sinks.
Avoid old railroad ties and pressure-treated wood of unknown age for food beds. Modern kits made from cedar, metal or food-safe composite are the safer choice for vegetables.
FAQ
How deep should a raised garden bed be?
10 to 12 inches suits most vegetables. Go 12 to 18 inches for tomatoes, carrots and potatoes, and 6 to 8 inches is fine for lettuce and herbs.
Do metal raised beds get too hot?
In most climates, no. A full bed of moist soil buffers the heat well, and only the outer inch or two near the wall warms up. In very hot desert areas, choose a light color and keep the soil mulched.
Should I put anything in the bottom of a raised bed?
Cardboard on the ground to smother grass is enough for most beds. Add hardware cloth underneath if gophers or moles are a problem in your area.
When is the best time to set up a raised bed?
Fall is ideal. Fill it with soil and compost, plant garlic or a cover crop, and it will be rich and settled by spring.
