Raised garden beds have become increasingly popular over the last few years as a way to grow your own produce without having to deal with the soil in your garden.
They also make tending your crop easier because you don’t have to bend down or do any heavy digging.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your first raised bed or want some new ideas on how to expand your existing ones, we’ve got plenty of ideas that will take your gardening game up a notch.
Curved and square beds made from recycled steel
You can create raised garden beds from almost any type of material and using something that’s recycled means you’re rescuing materials from landfill and reusing them in a very constructive way. I love how the steel used to make these beds has been left to age.
Notice that the beds are all at waist height which makes it easy to tend to the vegetables, herbs and flowers that are grown within them. The beds are also designed in such a way that everything is within easy reach, even the plants in the centre.
Timber raised garden bed in front of a fence
This raised garden bed idea shows that there are plenty of areas around your garden that can be utilised for a raised garden bed.
Constructed from solid timber planks, this garden bed is just wide enough to accommodate a variety of plants but not too wide to make it difficult to care for them.
Timber and corrugated steel raised garden beds
I just love the clean, simple lines of these raised garden beds. The frames are made from sturdy timber and the sides incorporate corrugated steel.
The beds are at waist height which makes them easy to tend. Their size is also just right for placing anywhere in your garden. And, they would look equally as good in a front yard or the backyard.
Raised garden beds made from old railway sleepers
Old railway sleepers have been a popular choice for gardeners for many years as a way to build retaining walls on sloping blocks. They can also be utilised to build an attractive raised garden bed.
You’ll need some sturdy bolts to hold the sleepers together but if you’re handy, this type of raised bed shouldn’t take too long to put together.
Raised beds made from large plastic tubs on a timber frame
Here’s a clever idea that wouldn’t take too long to set up. Large plastic tubs are easy to come by and are great for growing a variety of different types of vegetables and herbs.
The tubs are kept off the ground and at waist height by placing them on a sturdy timber frame. These frames wouldn’t be difficult to make from recycled materials or you could even check out some local production nurseries that may have stands that they no longer need.
Gabion rock wall raised garden beds
This interesting design uses a double layer of wire mesh that is infilled with large rocks. These type of structures are incredibly strong and have been used for many years in different parts of the world as walls and fences for erosion control.
You can use the same basic engineering to create a raised garden bed that is both attractive and functional.
Timber raised garden bed with a hinged cover
Having a hinged cover over your raised garden bed is a great way to keep pests out of your crop. This is especially useful if you live in a regional area and have problems with rabbits eating your lovely tender vegetables.
You could also replace the chicken wire mesh with insect-resistant cloth. Then, when you’re growing fruiting crops that need pollinating, you can easily raise the cover to ensure that the bees can get to your plants.
Build a raised garden bed from besser blocks
Besser blocks are fantastic for building raised garden beds of all shapes and sizes. They are lightweight, sturdy and really easy to install.
If you build a raised bed from besser blocks, you can either leave it natural or even paint or render the blocks to suit your landscape.
Create a series of raised garden beds with old tractor tyres
Old tractor tyres make the perfect receptacle for a small raised garden bed.
Place a group of them together and you have a whole series of individual raised beds to grow your crops in.
Simple rendered besser block raised garden bed
Here’s another simple besser block raised garden bed. You could easily create this structure in weekend.
All it needs is some besser blocks and some cement render to finish it off.
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Tiered timber raised garden bed
This timber raised garden bed has two tiered levels and is finished off with a high trellis at the back for growing vertically.
This makes it ideal for growing tomatoes, beans, cucumbers and other vining crops.
Use those old bricks to create a stunning raised garden bed
If you’ve just had your home built, you’re sure to have some bricks left over. Put them to good use by building a stunning raised garden bed in your backyard.
You can also source second hand bricks from various places that sell used building materials.
A simple raised garden bed with an arbour
This simple raised garden bed on steel legs would be ideal for growing climbing or vining crops over the metal arbour. It’s such a simple idea but very effective.
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Use grow bags
Grow bags have become increasingly popular over recent years. I have a couple that I use to grow potatoes in.
The benefit of these is that they can be placed absolutely anywhere and all you have to do is fill them with potting mix or compost and plant your crops.
Utilise square foot gardening
These basic garden beds follow the principle of square foot gardening where each section measures one square foot and is used for planting just one crop.
Enjoy balcony gardening by using milk crates
Even people who only have a balcony to garden on can grow their own fresh produce using milk crates. Just be sure to line the crates with some landscape fabric to stop the soil from falling out.
Create a timber frame for a bucket garden
Using large plastic buckets is a great way to grow some crops. This design takes it one step further by creating a wooden frame to keep the bucket off the ground and at a more manageable height.
