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Building a garden solves many problems. Raised beds warm up faster in the spring, which helps start the growing season faster. They fully control the composition of the soil, its fertility and moisture. Reduce or eliminate turns and bends for ground-level tasks such as planting and weeding. In areas where the soil is sandy or heavy clay, raised gardens solve drainage and water conservation problems. Landscaping in raised beds also helps reduce weed competition, and the list goes on.
If your garden is limited to one terrace or is several acres, this type of bed can be the perfect choice. Making a raised flower bed is an easy DIY project that you can complete in a day or two. Raised beds come in all shapes and sizes to fit almost any space and can include amenities such as benches, trellises or cages to support and protect sensitive plants. Follow us as we look at the best garden bed designs.
1. U Shaped Cedar Garden Beds
Cedar is known for its natural resistance to decay, which makes it an excellent material for building flower beds. This U-shaped bed is ideal for maximizing growing space in a small space. Simple instructions combine three drawers to form a compact garden with an open center for easy access from all sides.
Acquire Stewart Landing Co. Raised Cedar U-Shaped Garden Bed Plan $12.99 on Etsy.
CONTACT: How to build a raised garden bed
2. Set of three raised beds
Designed with durability in mind, this raised bed frame is made from double-height 2x6 lumber that will last for years. Simple patterns add a finished look, accentuating your floral, plant and herb display. This set of digital plans includes instructions for making three different sizes of raised beds: 4' x 4', 4' x 8', and 4' x 10'.
Get the Verdura Gardens Digital Bundle of Raised Bed Garden Frames on Etsy for $16.95.
3. Corrugated metal garden beds
This waist-high garden bed minimizes rabbit damage and weed pressure while eliminating tipping. The 4' x 8' box is constructed so that the wooden frame does not come into contact with garden soil (and possibly rotting wood), extending the life of the planter for many years. Additional pot size plans are available here.
Get Knottalotta Acres Craft 4×8 Raised Corrugated Metal Bed Plans on Etsy for $5.94.
CONTACT: How to make gardening easier for people with reduced mobility
4. A box of pots
It's the perfect place to plant herbs or flowers on your porch, patio or deck, right at your door. Measuring 36 inches by 14 inches and 10 inches deep, the raised planter is 33 inches at the rim. A shelf underneath the shelf provides a convenient place to store garden shears, compost, gardening gloves or other small gardening tools.
Get the Makerworks Raised Cedar Box overall plan on Etsy for $5.
5. Flower bed with deer cage
What's the point of building a raised bed when all you're doing is feeding Bambi salad? If your forest has a lot of deer, consider this scheme for a large, tough, deer-resistant garden. This digital download from Etsy seller Matt Builds contains all the specifications for building a 16' x 16' garden bed with a 6' deer enclosure.
Get Matt Builds It Raised Garden Bed with Deer Enclosure Plans on Etsy for $14.99.
6. Green Lifting Garden Fence Kit
For gardeners who aren't interested in buying supplies and completing the project of measuring, marking and cutting wood, raised garden bed kits are the way to go. This 2" x 8" 10.5" high bed is ready to assemble. Simply slide the side rails onto the perforated corner posts and screw the top into place and your bed frame is ready to go. Filled with soil. This set also folds up. half for a 21-inch deep garden. Flower bed fertilizer is sold separately.
Get the Greenes Fence Garden Raise Kit at Amazon for $135.99.
RELATED: 10 Tips for Planning Raised Garden Beds
7. Cultivator
This sturdy garden potting bench is made from solid 2x6 and 2x4 lumber and includes a full-length built-in bench on one side. Its strong linear shape and raised garden surface make it ideal for adding an element of privacy to a patio edge or garden border. Overall dimensions are 74 x 39 x 18 inches.
Get the Garden Bench Planter Plan from Horizon Design Studios on Etsy for $6.25.
8. Boiler with protection
Gardening with rabbits, squirrels, deer and other wildlife requires extra protection. Most of the best raised beds are still susceptible to damage from pets, but this 3' x 6', 14.375" deep bed can easily be protected with a matching wood-framed metal trellis. Raised Planter Design and protective cover sold separately.
Get the Knomad Design 3x6 Plantation Kit on Etsy for $15.99.
9. Box for cedar
Do you only have a patio but still want to give your space the feel of a "garden bed"? Cedar planters are a natural alternative to glazed ceramics for container gardening. Build your program with this easy-to-use plan. If you're not sure what size you need, don't worry. Each order comes with a complete set of three different sizes: 14" square by 12", 18" cube and 24" square by 18".
Acquire Stewart Landing Co. Cedar Planter Box Plans on Etsy for $12.99.
10. Raised 18 Foot Planter and Trellis
When you need to plant more, you need a large garden. This scattered planter offers plenty of room to grow, as well as a built-in trellis system for growing beans, cucumbers or even roses. The planter measures 18 feet by 3 feet by 22 inches, with a trellis rising 5 feet from the box. Build with cedar planks to protect them from natural decay.
Acquire Stewart Landing Co. 18' Raised Planter and Trellis Tops on Etsy for $12.99.
CONTACT: The best woods for raised beds
11. Cedar Raised Bed Garden Boxes
Measuring 4' x 8' and 24' wide, this raised cedar garden bed is constructed of durable 2x6 lumber for natural beauty and superior durability with no paint, stain or varnish. The surface is flat enough to avoid bends and slopes and the box offers sufficient soil depth for all types of plants.
Get the Cedar Sage Shovel Garden Box Plan on Etsy for $20.
12. Raised planter
Assemble this versatile cedar planter for your porch, deck, patio or other part of the garden. The raised surface reduces back and knee strain when tending to your plants, while the large planter box provides plenty of room for roots to spread. Its overall dimensions are 51.25 x 22.25 x 28.25 inches.
Get WolfSpiritWoodWork Raised Planter Plans on Etsy for $6.98.
13. Bed with wooden slats
If you're tired of messing around with cheap tomato cages or metal cages, a package from Etsy seller Stewart Landing Co. this provides a more permanent and attractive way to support your plants. Downloadable instructions include a tool list, cut list, and step-by-step instructions. The plan was for the box to be 6 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 12 inches deep, with the cage rising 70 inches off the ground.
Acquire Stewart Landing Co. Raised garden bed with slats for $9.99 on Etsy.
CONTACT: 12 Climbing Greens Perfect for Compact Gardens
14. Potato planter
Potato growers who like to control the development of their blushing and pinching potatoes may want to choose a sturdier container than a cloth planting bag with a window. These instructions from Etsy seller Horizon Design Studios will help you build a 28" high, 24" wide, and 24" long. We love the swinging planter door that you can open to check on your potatoes, both in plain sight. and get your hands dirty.
Get the Horizon Design Studios Potato Planter on Etsy for $6.50.
