Complete analysis of Metal and Wooden Raised Garden Beds to enhance your gardening experience
Spring is officially here and if you’re planning to add new plants to your collection, you might wonder which is better– metal or wooden raised garden bed.
If your yard cannot accommodate the spacious raised or elevated garden beds, we have listed some of the best choices for self-watering indoor and outdoor plants that need little to no maintenance.
This video is sourced from YouTube@Beginner's Garden - Journey with Jill
Those who don’t mind getting their hands dirty to raise a beautiful garden can follow our complete guide to choosing and maintaining the right raised or elevated garden bed.
Table Of Contents
- What are raised garden beds?
- Types of raised garden beds
- Wooden vs Metal raised beds – which one to choose?
- Our Top Pics of Modern Raised Garden Beds
- Creative raised garden bed ideas
What are raised garden beds?
A raised garden bed is an elevated structure used to grow plants. The planting bed sits a few inches above the existing soil, with new soil confined in the enclosed bed. It can vary in size, from a few inches to waist-high. Sometimes, you can use two or more raised beds to increase the overall depth.
Raised garden beds, unlike planters, are larger and can accommodate multiple plants at once. They are also ideal for growing vegetables or fruits that thrive in rich soil.
The elevated beds promote healthier growth by providing roots with a vertical space to dig down. Furthermore, you can use fresh soil in a raised garden and change it easily when it requires a redo.
Raised garden beds also
● Regulate the growth of weed
● Has better water retention
● Allows better drainage
● Has more growing space for plants
● Prevents soil compaction from human feet
● Keeps the soil warmer for a longer season
● Reduces soil erosion
Types of raised garden beds
Raised garden beds are made of different materials - wood, metal and concrete. However, most prefer them in wood or metal as they are easier to handle compared to concrete.
We’ve listed the pros and cons of wooden and metal raised garden beds, so you can choose the right one to suit your needs.
Wooden raised garden beds
Wooden raised garden beds undeniably add a great appeal to your garden. They come with a list of advantages but for a cost that isn’t necessarily pocket-friendly.
Although these raised garden beds are more expensive than their steel counterparts, they are still a popular choice among gardeners for the following reasons.
Pros
● Garden beds made of wood are environmentally friendly.
● They are aesthetically pleasing.
● Wooden garden beds can be easily customized for irregularly-sized spaces.
● They allow better drainage compared to other materials.
● Wood doesn’t form rust easily.
● Plants are better protected from extreme temperatures as wood is a great insulator.
Cons
● Wooden garden beds require constant maintenance to prevent rotting, rust or infestation.
● These aren’t as durable as metal garden beds but cost you more money, time and effort.
Metal raised garden beds
Metal raised garden beds are cheaper and more efficient than traditional in-ground gardening. Made from durable metals such as aluminium or steel, these structures are more durable than wood.
Galvanized steel garden beds are known for their durability, strength and resistance to rusting. These are more reliable for gardening in extreme weather conditions.
Here are more advantages and disadvantages of a metal raised garden bed.
Pros
● Metal garden beds typically have a longer shelf than beds made of wood or plastic. They are also immune to pest attacks.
● They are available in various shapes and sizes. They are easier to move around and less susceptible to damage.
● Garden beds made from metal allow longer growing seasons as they can absorb heat and keep the soil warmer for longer periods in cold temperatures.
Cons
● While heat absorption is an added benefit in winters or colder seasons, metal beds can cause the soil to become too hot in summer and damage the roots.
● Steel garden beds do not insulate the soil as well as wood, thus affecting the temperature of the roots and tempering the overall plant health.
● Rust will eat away at steel garden beds if the base metal isn’t coated with a zinc-alloy product.
Wooden vs Metal raised beds – which one to choose?
Your decision to pick a wooden or metal raised garden depends on your budget, landscape, external elements etc. A raised bed usually comes in two sizes – 4 x 4 feet and 4 x 8 feet. While the width can vary from 3 to 4 feet for easy access, its standard length is 8 feet.
But when choosing the material, first and foremost, consider the average temperature of the region you’re living in. They aren’t ideal for hot climates as metal beds absorb a large amount of heat,When cost is considered, wooden beds are cost-effective.
However, they aren’t as durable as metal beds, which can serve a lifetime if well-maintained. Therefore, consider wooden beds if you plan to grow seasonal fruits or vegetables. Whereas, the steel bed can stand multiple soil changes and re-plantings.
While setting up wooden beds is more convenient than steel, the latter is resistant to rotting, and pests and requires less maintenance. When using moist-rich soil, wooden beds are a better choice as roots tend to rot easily in metal beds from excessive water retention.
Even though metal beds are available in various shapes, wooden ones are considered more appealing. As said, these can be used to decorate your garden space with seasonal flowers and other plants but may experience wear and tear with time, needing a replacement.
If you don’t have the time to regularly tend to your plants, perhaps you should go with self-watering raised garden beds.
Modern Raised Garden Beds With Multiple Functions
As well as temperature regulation, root growth and soil health, some modern raised beds also consist of other functions. For instance, the 3-tier raised mental garden bed is perfect for growing multiple selection of plants at once.
The 3-tier structure is made from galvanized metal, with a rubber strip covering its edges for additional protection. The garden bed has an open bottom for proper drainage and enough space for roots to spread.
Forget traditional raised beds, there’s a wooden bed that comes with wheels and an elegant frame. The aesthetically pleasing structure is crafted from premium cedar wood. The Elevated Planter Box by GARVEE is perfect for growing vegetables and herbs.
You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for fancy-looking raised garden beds within your budget. The Planter Box with Trellis is all you need to make your balcony edgy. It comes with a 3-piece planter box for your regular plants and a weather-resistant metal trellis for climbers.
If you’re considering something stylish yet sturdy, we recommend the 3-in-1 Raised Garden Bed with Trellis. The open base of the raised beds allows proper drainage, while the tall arch supports climbing plants. Furthermore, it’s easy to set up with quick and simple instructions.
Tips for raising a healthy garden in elevated beds
Anybody can grow plants in elevated garden beds by mastering a few techniques. We have shared a few tips for raising a healthy garden.
Quality of soil – The consistency and quality of soil largely determined the root growth. When starting a garden in a raised bed, always fill the structure up with fresh soil.
If you’re planning to replant in old soil, you can revive it with revitalizers. By doing this, you’ll eliminate the need to change the soil time and again.
Ensure the soil doesn’t dry up – As red garden beds come with open bottoms, the soil may become dry under certain circumstances.
So, stick your finger in the soil and if the top inch is dry, it needs thorough watering. Excessively dry soil can damage the roots and lead to insufficient nutrient absorption.
Watch your weed – Although raised beds are used to prevent the weeds from spreading, they are notorious for growing anywhere and everywhere. Make sure to pull them out as a sapling, to prevent further seeding.
Feed your plants and check for pests – Plants can get hungry too, so always ensure they are provided with sufficient nutrients. In addition to healthy soil, the boosters and vitamins promote efficient growth.
Regularly look for signs of pests, insects and diseases, which when overlooked can damage all the plants in the bed. It’s easier to treat them early on and prevent the infestation from spreading.
Creative raised garden bed ideas
Incorporating a bit of creativity into raised bed gardens can enhance their appeal. While the primary functions remain the same, depending on the material, you can design it in multiple ways.
Below are a few creative ideas raised garden bed ideas to make your yard stand out.
1. Planter with raised beds – Space-saving modern planter raised beds are sleek and perfect for your patio.
The design consists of raised beds on either side, bridged by a wooden bench. So, the seat is surrounded by pretty plants.
2. Stone-raised garden bed – Are you looking for something long-lasting other than metal and wood? We have found just the garden bed for you.
The unconventional design is built with boulders arranged in a specific way, creating a foundation for plants to grow in. The cost-effective stone-raised gardens require little maintenance.
3. Box-raised garden beds – Whether you want to do it yourself or purchase a ready-made cedar wooden raised bed kit, the multiple storeys allow maximum growing space.
These structures can also be made from metal for durability. Regardless of the material, the boxed raised beds are visually appealing and stand out from the rest of the conventional designs.
4. Raised beds for kitchen gardens – You don’t need plenty of space to raise a garden full of fresh supplies for your kitchen.
Typically smaller than the standard raised garden beds, the compact structures can be made elaborate with trellises for multiple plants or kept simple with a few plants in a single box.
More to read
How To Build A Raised Garden Bed: A Comprehensive Guide
