My first two raised beds were your standard rectangles anchored by 2x4s. My husband and I found the plan online. He surprised me by building them one weekend while I was away. They may have been simple, but they introduced me to all the benefits of gardening in raised beds. When it came time to work on my bookRaised Bed Revolution, coming up with the different projects was one of the most fun aspects of the putting the book together. And since then, I’ve come across even more raised bed designs for gardening — if only I had more space!
I’ve talked on this site about things you need to think about before building your raised bed. Next comes the creative part of choosing the design. Start by thinking of which materials you want to use. Pinterest is a great source of information (it’s where I discovered the corrugated steel look).
Best placement and size for raised beds
Raised beds can be any shape or size, provided the site where you place them gets six to eight hours of sunlight a day, unless the plants you intend to grow are shade lovers. Those standard rectangular beds are generally three to four feet wide by six to eight feet long. At that size you should be able to reach into the raised bed with ease without having to set foot in it. This keeps the soil nice and loose, rather than compacting it.
One quick tip on raised bed placement: If you’re building or setting up multiple raised beds, be sure to leave adequate space between them to walk, kneel, or even navigate a wheelbarrow between them.
Now for the fun part. Let’s dig into some inspiration!
Raised bed designs for gardening using wood
If you’re looking to build a raised bed from wood, choose a rot-resistant variety, like cedar. That’s what I use for all of my raised bed projects. Cedar is what is most readily available at my local lumber yards. Niki, who is on the East Coast of Canada, sourced hemlock for the raised beds she built when she renovated her vegetable garden. The wood you source will depend on where you live and what’s available near you.
Raised bed with benches
Shown as the main image for this article, this beautiful raised bed plan crossed my radar at the right time and I was grateful to get permission to build it and put it in the book. A photo of that original raised bed is on the cover! What’s great about this raised bed design is that it’s high enough to keep the bunnies and groundhogs out. And, I can sit and rest on the benches with a cup of tea while I’m out puttering in the yard. You can find the full project plans here.
Hexagonal raised beds
As I mentioned, raised beds can be any shape. I fell in love with the hexagonal raised beds (shown above) in Pop Brixton, a shipping container village of shops and restaurants in London. These were part of a community garden. The shape of these raised beds was recreated for a raised bed plan I included in a chapter for Gardening Complete(shown below).
“Big Orange”
I had the corrugated steel look on the brain when I was coming up with raised bed project ideas. My builder, Scott McKinnon, helped me build a basic frame where I was able to drill in corrugated sheets that had been sized for me by a local company.Once built, this raised bed was destined for the Toronto Botanical Garden. At the recommendation of the director of horticulture, Paul Zammit, I added locking casters to it so that the garden can easily be rolled into storage—or wherever it needs to go! It was painted orange to stand out in the veggie garden area.
A “mosaic” pattern on a raised bed
My builder, Scott McKinnon, creates interior pieces, like sliding doors, using old pieces of wood with different colour variations. I love how he applied that style to this raised bed. He built a simple raised bed frame, and then cut different pieces of wood to different lengths. These were arranged in a pattern on the outside of the frame using finishing nails.
Live edge raised bed
This live edge raised bed was built for my newest book, Gardening Your Front Yard: Projects and Ideas for Big & Small Spaces. It fits perfectly into a perennial garden in my front yard. The first year of planting, I fit a tomato, pepper, and basil plant in it. I could also fit a small salad garden, featuring lettuces, spinach, kale, etc., or a small crop of root veggies. There are lots of possibilities, even if you have a small space.
Raised bed designs for gardening that require minimal assembly
There seem to be way more kits on the market now than there were a few years ago. I’ve seen them everywhere, from garden centres to Costco.Corners are an amazing invention that allow gardeners who might not have the woodworking skills to design and build a raised bed. These are among the easiest raised bed designs for gardening. I used the ones below from Gardener’s Supply Company to set up a quick an easy raised bed.
Raised bed designs for gardening that involve upcycling
I had SUCH a great time exploring antique markets for ideas and inspiration for the book. Whenever I’m out and about, I’m always thinking about how I can transform various objects into raised beds or smaller containers for growing. From old whisky barrels (halved or whole) to washbasins, there are endless ways to divert old junk into your garden where it can live a second life.
* Raised bed with benches photo taken by Donna Griffith for Raised Bed Revolution
More raised bed tips and ideas
- How to make a new raised bed garden
- Inexpensive raised bed ideas
- Galvanized raised beds
- Raised bed gardens with trellises
- Elevated raised bed gardening
- Raised bed materials
Find inspiration and tips to get started building a raised bed garden with my online Savvy Gardening school course, Raised Bed Basics: Tips to Get Started Building a Raised Bed Garden.
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Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in this article.
Raised Beds in Gardening
Raised beds are a popular gardening technique that offers several benefits. They provide better control over soil quality, drainage, and weed management. Additionally, raised beds can extend the growing season and make gardening more accessible by reducing the need for bending or kneeling.
Placement and Size of Raised Beds
When choosing the placement and size of raised beds, it is important to consider sunlight exposure and ease of access. Raised beds should be placed in an area that receives six to eight hours of sunlight per day, unless shade-loving plants are being grown. Standard rectangular beds are typically three to four feet wide by six to eight feet long. This size allows for easy access to the bed without having to step on the soil, which helps maintain loose and uncompacted soil.
Raised Bed Designs Using Wood
Wood is a popular material for building raised beds. Cedar is a rot-resistant variety commonly used for raised bed projects. Other options, such as hemlock, may be available depending on your location. It's important to choose a wood that is readily available and suitable for outdoor use.
Raised Bed with Benches
A raised bed design that includes benches provides both functional and aesthetic benefits. The raised bed is elevated enough to keep out pests like bunnies and groundhogs, and the benches offer a place to sit and rest while working in the garden. This design can be a great addition to any garden space.
Hexagonal Raised Beds
Raised beds can come in various shapes, including hexagonal designs. These unique raised beds can add visual interest to a garden. An example of hexagonal raised beds can be found in Pop Brixton, a shipping container village in London. The shape of these raised beds was recreated for a raised bed plan included in the book "Gardening Complete".
"Big Orange" Raised Bed
The "Big Orange" raised bed features a corrugated steel look. It was built with a basic frame and corrugated sheets that were sized by a local company. This raised bed was painted orange to stand out in the vegetable garden area. Locking casters were added to make it easy to move the bed when needed.
Mosaic Pattern on a Raised Bed
A raised bed with a mosaic pattern can add a unique and artistic touch to a garden. This design involves arranging different pieces of wood with varying colors and lengths on the outside of the raised bed frame. It can be a creative way to repurpose old pieces of wood and create a visually appealing raised bed.
Live Edge Raised Bed
A live edge raised bed is built with wood that retains its natural edge, giving it a rustic and organic look. This type of raised bed can be customized to fit different garden spaces and can accommodate various plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, herbs, or small salad gardens. It offers versatility even in small spaces.
Raised Bed Designs Requiring Minimal Assembly
For those who prefer easy and quick setup, there are raised bed kits available on the market. These kits often come with pre-cut and pre-drilled materials, making assembly straightforward. They can be a convenient option for gardeners who may not have woodworking skills or prefer a hassle-free setup.
Raised Bed Designs Involving Upcycling
Upcycling is a creative way to repurpose old objects into raised beds or smaller containers for gardening. Examples include using old whisky barrels (halved or whole) or washbasins as planters. This approach allows for endless possibilities and adds a unique touch to the garden.
These are some of the concepts mentioned in the article about raised bed gardening designs. If you have any specific questions or would like more information on a particular topic, feel free to ask!
