The Best Raised Beds for Kitchen Garden

The Vego is on top of all lists for a few reasons: It’s modular design makes it extra versatile, and, made from coated (non-toxic) metal, it’s damn near indestructible. One note: There’s no bottom. This bed is meant to be placed directly on a growing substrate.

There are few packages as complete as this one: The zinc container is built on wheels, has a shelf for tools, and comes with a built-in basin meant to keep plant roots separate from water that’s drained down through the soil. There’s even a nozzle on the side to release excess standing water. Bonus: an aeration system.

The one-two punch of this raised bed is its height and space-saving shelf. The deep metal basin will accommodate enough soil to grow vegetables, the shelf below can hold your tools. The real benefit here though is that it’s high off the ground. This is good for those whose knees can’t handle the gardener crawl.

This Corten steel perimeter needs a solid substrate, but if you’ve got it, get it. It’s a beautiful, sculptural hardscaping element that makes a statement. Warning, it’s probably going to ooze rust for a while.

For many, the reason to build beds for vegetables is to control the soil mix while reducing the potential for weeds. The farmstead is a simple and classic farm-core solution made from white cedar. Note that anything made from wood is going to give out faster than metal.

A popular terrace garden usually includes a vine or fruit that wants support, like tomatoes or snap peas. This raised bed is a one-stop shop made form cedar and no-rust aluminum. Bonus: It’s on wheels.

Not all raised beds are for vegetables. Anyone who’s made a go at terrace living knows the value of a really high-volume container for the bigger ticket items, like a tree, for example. This solid pine planter is the ticket for your roof deck orange or olive trees.

This elegant container looks like concrete but hefts like the composite, durable ficonstone it is. With drainage holes on the base, sure, it could be called a large pot, but to us it’s got «patio garden» potential written all over it.

If what you’re after is a vegetable garden that can feed you for a season, you’re going to want something like this heavy-duty box. With cedar sides and metal legs, this nine-foot bed holds 360 quarts of soil. Overall it gets great reviews though assembly wasn’t as easy as many hoped.

A problem for many gardeners, urban and not, is keeping out the wildlife that wants to feast on their pristine harvest—or engage in less savory activities (looking at you, house cats). This heavy-duty U-shaped bed comes with a protective screen to keep your veg and soil safe from animal activity.

No space is too small for this micro plot. Bonus: It’s considered a self-watering system. Don’t be fooled, this doesn’t mean a no-maintenance garden, it just means less maintenance. A basin inside the planter holds excess water and draws from a reservoir to drip feed plants. If all you want are fresh herbs this summer, this planter is the move.