7 Best Garden Beds For Growing Produce
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Summer is here, and what better time to start a garden! Gardening has so many benefits, from helping us eat healthier to living more sustainably. It also helps us know exactly where our produce is coming from (bonus that we know how much care was put into growing it!), and can help our local ecosystem, especially when we grow native plants. These garden beds are beautiful, easy to assemble, sustainable, and durable.
What is the best material for raised garden beds?
When purchasing a raised garden bed, it’s important to consider the materials. FSC certified cedar is a great option, not just for sustainability reasons, but also because cedar is a natural pesticide, so you won’t have to treat your garden with anything else to fight off pests. Cedar is also one of the most durable woods. It’s weather resistant and lasts a long time without warping, shrinking, or swelling. Another great wood option is redwood. It’s also incredibly durable for outdoor conditions and is a sustainable and beautiful option, too.
Steel is another solid option for raised garden beds. It’s sustainable because it’s 100% recyclable and will last a lifetime. It’s very durable and can survive the elements for decades (if not longer!).
What are the benefits of raised garden beds?
Garden beds — particularly raised garden beds — offer many benefits. First, you’re better able to control the soil contents of the garden bed, ensuring that it’s nutrient-rich and catered to your plants’ needs. Second, raised beds makes it easier to do crop rotation from year to year, which has many benefits for soil health. You’re also able to control the amount of water the plants get because it’s raised off the ground. This helps improve drainage and keeps your plants from being affected by the soil’s water content. They also have fewer weeds than traditional gardens, as well as fewer pests, especially when you opt for a cedar garden bed that acts as a natural pesticide. Raised garden beds are also aesthetically pleasing and great for small spaces!
How do I fill a raised garden bed?
There are a few different ways you can fill your raised garden bed. If it’s not very deep, or if it’s up on legs, it’s best to just fill it with soil. But if you have a raised garden bed that’s larger and/or deeper, you might want to consider trying the Hugelkulter Method, a cost-efficient and eco-friendly way to fill your garden beds that originates in Germany and literally means “mound” or “hill.” For this method, put cardboard on the bottom of your garden bed, followed by wood, plant waste compost, and then organic soil. This improves the soil content for your garden bed, helps retain water, and requires minimal maintenance once you do it. When you choose a garden bed, be sure to note if it has any specific recommendations for filling it to optimize the outcome of your garden.
Our criteria:
Our editors have lived with, researched, and corresponded with sustainable brands for a decade. For this guide, we’ve compiled the best eco-friendly and sustainable garden beds for your yard so you can feel good about what you’re growing your veggies in. We regularly update this guide with new favorites that meet the following qualifications.
- EASY TO ASSEMBLE | The garden beds we selected are easy to assemble, using few to no tools. They don’t take a lot of time to assemble either.
- SUSTAINABLE & NONTOXIC | These garden beds are made from FSC-certified wood and steel coated in nontoxic materials. All of these brands are transparent about the materials and eco-friendliness of their garden beds.
- DURABLE | These garden beds are built from durable materials that are made to last and withstand weather conditions and wear and tear for years. We consulted customer reviews to ensure they are holding up to their claims.
Creating an outdoor oasis this summer? Check out our sustainable outdoor furniture guide here.
1. VegTrugs
Best For | Wooden garden beds
Sustainable materials | FSC certified wood, aluminum
Prices starting at | $100
VegTrugs was founded in 2009 with the goal of creating a raised bed that made growing vegetables easy for everyone, even in the smallest spaces. They have a strong focus on accessibility in their products, with the goal of making them accessible to everyone regardless of age or disability. VegTrug has five classic raised bed options, including the classic wood one, a double-wide option, the Wall Hugger, which is great for compact spaces, and the aluminum. They also have a kids option, which is smaller and shorter so little ones can have their own garden bed to veggies. All of the wooden beds are made from FSC certified wood, and the wood is treated with a food-safe, water-based preservative that keeps the wood long-lasting. The raised beds also have a signature “V” shape so that all kinds of growth can be supported, regardless of the depth necessary for the plants. They also all have a pre-formed biodegradable liner included. Beyond the classic design, VegTrug also offers raised herb gardens, flat raised bed planters, and more, all made with the same quality and mission in mind.
2. Vego Garden
Best For | Steel garden beds
Sustainable materials | USDA approved paint, steel, wood
Prices starting at | $100
Founded in 2020, Vego Garden is a tech-driven gardening company with the mission of making gardening as accessible and sustainable as possible. They offer many garden bed options, including different materials and sizes. The Classic and Novel series garden beds are made from steel and coated with a patented Zinc Alloy coating and USDA-approved paint. There are a variety of sizes, all of which take an hour or less to assemble. The Woodgrain series are made from just that: natural wood that’s weather-proof and fade-resistant for over 20 years. They’re easy to assemble (no power tools needed!) and last a long time. Finally, the Modern series offers a sleek look made from double-walled, commercial grade, powder coated galvanized steel. Again, assembly is easy breezy, a big priority of Vego Garden. Beyond making high-quality and long-lasting beds, Vego Garden also gives back. They’re a part of several reforestation projects to lower their carbon footprint, give garden beds to schools as part of their School Gardens Program, and they give back to kid gardeners by refunding 50% of a kids garden bed as part of their #VegoGardenKids Nonprofit program.
Customer Review | “I was so impressed by the qulity while building it. Everything is well marked, well made and goes together so nicely. The end result is a beautiful bed and I could not love the cream color more!” – Ashley R. (Read more reviews.)
3. Vita
Best For | Garden beds with keyhole composting
Sustainable materials | Cedar, water-based stain, aluminum
Prices starting at | $60
The Mezza garden bed from Vita is made from FSC-certified cedar and treated with a water-based stain that is environmentally friendly and food safe. Many of these raised beds also have a modular design, so you can configure them however works best for you. Vita offers several sizes and options for their Mezza garden beds, from a standard garden bed to a higher up veg farm to a keyhole composting garden that allows you to compost kitchen scraps in the garden, turning it into nutrient-rich soil. Beyond creating sustainable and high-quality garden beds, Vita is also giving back to projects both locally and globally, including to Thrive and Sanmen Youwei Library.
Customer Review | “I LOVE your products. I have four of your planter boxes and needed more! I just purchased the Mezza 4x4x11 as an addition to my garden. They work so well with my yard and look great. I know that I will have a great garden of tomatoes later this year! The product was shipped fast and so easy to put together.” – Sue Thompson (Read more reviews.)
4. Urban Garden Workshop
Best For | Customizable garden beds
Sustainable materials | All-heart redwood, aluminum
Prices starting at | $115
Urban Garden Workshop’s raised garden bed kits are made entirely from FSC-certified all-heart redwood and are easy to put together, no power tools required. They fit together seamlessly because the wood pieces are precision-cut and assembled with aluminum pins. The garden beds are designed for long-term use outside and are ideal for everything from herbs to seasonal vegetables. Operating out of Ukiah, California, and Waynesboro, Virginia, Urban Garden workshop offers delivery within a 100-mile radius (at a rate of $3 per mile) or local pickup. They offer two raised bed types — sqaure and rectangle — with several dimension options for both and different heights as well. There’s also an option to add on gopher wire, if you’re concerned about critters getting into your crops.
Customer Review | “I love my raised beds! They were so easy to put together. Urban Garden Workshop made my garden beautiful and functional with ease!” – Debbie (Read more reviews.)
5. Cedar Planters by Earth Elevated
Best For | Small spaces
Sustainable materials | WRCLA Certified Western Red Cedar
Prices starting at | $170
The cedar planters by Earth Elevated are easy to assemble raised garden beds on legs that make them a comfortable gardening height. They’re made from WRCLA certified western red cedar, which is resistant to termites, moisture, and rot, and doesn’t warp. It’s great in both hot and cold climates, and is resistant to pests because cedar is a natural pesticide. Assembly for these garden beds only takes five minutes, and there’s a video on each product page showing exactly how to assemble. They also offer a 100% money-back guarantee, where if you’re not satisfied with the product you get a full refund.
Customer Review | “Beautiful, well made planters. I highly recommend purchasing these for your outdoor area.” – Joann T. (Read more reviews.)
6. Nest
Best For | Self watering
Sustainable materials | Recyclable polyethylene, steel
Prices starting at | $500
If you’re on the go a lot—or tend to forget to water your plants—this is a great option for you! Nest planters have a self-watering system, holding water for 2-6 weeks and you just have to fill as needed. Because of this system, Nest planters use less water than other garden beds, making it a sustainable option for reducing water usage. They’re also double-walled, which keeps your plants safe from temperature shifts, and the legs make it comfortable and simple to plant, weed, and more. You can use Nest planters indoors or outdoors, and they’re very lightweight. There are several color options as well. Nest planters are sold at West Elm, AllModern, and more.
Customer Review | “The nest planter is expensive but worth the cost. We are growing tomato plants, lettuce and herbs for the garden. It sits outside the kitchen for easy access and it is off the ground and safe from wildlife.” – Teresa (Read more reviews.)
7. Etsy
Best For | Supporting small business
Sustainable materials | Cedar, steel
Prices starting at | $4 (for the plans); $100 (for raised bed kits)
Etsy has several raised garden beds available, from plans you can buy and build with your own wood to pre-made kits you can easily assemble. Many of the pre-made kits are from American-owned small businesses, and are made from cedar or galvinized steel, making them great sustainable options.
Customer Review | “I’m so happy with my planter boxes! Thank you!” – Kristen T. (Read more reviews.)
Brianna Schubert is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade and the Digital Editor at Milwaukee Magazine. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Since 2023, Brianna has combined her expertise and investigative skills to deliver thoughtful reviews of sustainable products and home goods, helping readers make informed, eco-conscious choices. Brianna is also the writer behind The Mood Board, a Substack newsletter for creativity and inspiration. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking up a new recipe, reading and recommending books, cuddling with her cat, or finding hidden gems at vintage and thrift stores. Say hi on Instagram!
