When you feel ready to plant a garden but lack the space, quality soil, or sunshine needed to grow the plants you love, don't give up. Pivot your dreams to include raised garden beds, also called raised plant beds and raised bed planters. These roomy planters give you the flexibility to grow a wide variety of plants, including garden vegetables and spring, summer, and fall flowers. Read our raised garden bed ideas to learn how to choose a raised garden bed, too.
Benefits of Raised Garden Beds
Raised flower boxes and garden beds aren't just practical when you don't have space to plant directly in the ground. They also have a host of benefits:Watering Requirements
Like potted plants or those in smaller planters, you will need to water your garden more frequently when it's in a raised garden bed. It dries out faster than an in-ground garden, which is insulated by the surrounding soil. This can be beneficial after a flooding rain, when you have too much water soaking the garden soil. At other times, you'll need to be diligent about watering on hot and sunny days so your plants are properly hydrated. Garden beds with liners help prevent excess water from getting absorbed into the planter box, keep water from draining out, and protect the surface below it.
Raised Planter Box and Bed Materials:
The most affordable raised garden beds are often the smallest. Also, the material determines the cost. In many cases, plastic raised garden beds won't last as long as galvanized steel or wood due to UV rays that weaken them over time. If you have the budget, go for a more long-lived material for best results, like a metal raised garden bed. We also carry concrete, composite, and wooden beds that are built to last. Cedar raised garden beds are a popular option. Make a DIY raised garden bed out of fresh lumber or with a raised bed kit. You can also build a raised garden bed with your preferred layout and design.Plants That Thrive in the Ground Instead of Raised Beds
Although you can grow many plants in raised garden beds, trees and shrubs are difficult to keep long-term in containers. Their taproots may want to grow deeper or spread farther than many raised beds allow. If you're okay with having a limited lifespan on your plant, go ahead and start it in the largest raised bed you can. It'll take up as much space as you can afford to give it. In theory, you could transplant it when it's outgrown the garden bed, but you'd likely need outdoor power equipment and assistance because the plant would be large and cumbersome.Now that you're ready to shop for raised beds or build your own, make sure to pick up the rest of the supplies. Find the soil, seeds, compost, plants, and mulch to knock out this project without multiple trips. Make it easy when you shop in our Garden Center aisles, online, or on our mobile app. Get what you need shipped to the store or your front door, and you'll be planting in no time.