31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (2024)

Table of Contents
Benefits of Raised Garden Beds How to Build a Raised Garden Bed DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas Level Up Use Stock Tanks Add DIY Tomato Cages Repurpose Livestock Panels Add an Arched Trellis Divide and Conquer Keep It Simple Terrace a Sloping Lawn Keep the Bunnies Out Use Repurposed Materials Vary Heights and Sizes Add a Cover Add a Cage Cover Give It Space Add a Picket Fence Plant a Mini Herb Garden Mix Fruit, Flowers, Veg, and Herbs Use Douglas Fir Accessorize It Use Leftover Fencing Make It Cottage Style Plant a Cutting Garden Add Fencing Anchor It With a Greenhouse Keep It Natural Involve the Whole Family Plant Some Flowers Make an Herb Garden Coffee Table Upcycle a Vintage Wine Barrel Mark Your Territory Take a Shortcut FAQs

Gardening

Gardening Basics

Container Gardening

By

Kristin Hohenadel

31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (1)

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.

Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process

Updated on 03/27/24

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31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (2)

Using raised garden beds is a popular strategy for planting a vegetable, herb, or flower garden that’s simple to install and easier to maintain than a traditional garden. Raised garden beds can be used to optimize small outdoor spaces or to structure a large backyard.

Building a raised garden bed yourself from simple materials such as cinder blocks or cedar wood is a simple project that allows you to customize the look.

These DIY raised garden bed ideas come in a range of sizes, shapes, heights, and styles that will encourage you to cultivate your own private garden (without breaking your back or your budget).

Benefits of Raised Garden Beds

Before building a raised garden bed, here are the benefits you need to know:

  • No digging required
  • Looks stylish
  • Requires less weeding
  • Better drainage and soil quality control
  • Easier on the back and knees with less bending and kneeling
  • Optimizes outdoor spaces both big and small
  • Helps keep animals and pests at bay

How to Build a Raised Garden Bed

There are various types of raised garden beds. Some can be built in mounds straight on the ground. Others can be built using some sort of frame such as wood pallets, stock tanks, and more, as shown below. Some prefer to have the garden bed completely off the ground altogether with a raised planter box. In any event, there are some general steps you'll want to follow.

Here's how to build a raised garden bed yourself:

  1. Pick your method: Decide whether you want to build mounds of soil on the ground, use a frame, or a raised planter box.
  2. Choose your plants: Next, figure out what plants, vegetables, or fruits you want to grow. This will determine the depth of the soil.
  3. Determine the depth: On average, a raised garden bed should be able to accommodate 20 inches of soil for the roots to have space to grow. However, different plants, vegetables, and fruits will have different needs, so keep this in mind.

DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas

  • 01 of 31

    Level Up

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (3)

    This DIY tiered raised garden bed from Anika's DIY Life is made from cedar fencing. 2×4's, and braces. A built-in trellis for tomato and cucumber plants adds a decorative touch that creates a focal point in the backyard.

    Continue to 2 of 31 below

  • 02 of 31

    Use Stock Tanks

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (4)

    Most Lovely Things used stock tanks to create a raised garden in this Connecticut backyard. Filled with herbs and tomato plants on a backyard patio, the galvanized metal containers add an industrial farmhouse touch. The tanks were installed on a bed of gravel lined with plastic to minimize weeding.

    Continue to 3 of 31 below

  • 03 of 31

    Add DIY Tomato Cages

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (5)

    This DIY tomato cage trellis from My 100 Year Old Home is made from pine boards that weather over time for a natural look that works in this farmhouse-style garden, built along the side of an unused driveway. The tomato cage structures are topped with a decorative finial to add a finishing touch.

    Continue to 4 of 31 below

  • 04 of 31

    Repurpose Livestock Panels

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (6)

    These raised garden beds from blogger Liz Marie have DIY trellises made from leftover livestock panels and T-posts to create a solid structure to support the weight of climbing plants. The simple materials can be sourced inexpensively at any home store.

    Continue to 5 of 31 below

  • 05 of 31

    Add an Arched Trellis

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (7)

    Delia Creates added a DIY arched trellis that stretches between two raised garden beds in this large outdoor space that adds charm and a romantic feel.

    Continue to 6 of 31 below

  • 06 of 31

    Divide and Conquer

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (8)

    A Beautiful Mess built this easy four-step backyard DIY raised garden bed from affordable cedar wood, then added a grid made from PVC flat trim to keep it organized. The simple rectangular design is accessorized with pots of flowers and a pair of pink garden flamingos on opposite diagonal corners to keep things light.

  • 07 of 31

    Keep It Simple

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (9)

    The Merrythought made this simple DIY raised garden bed from untreated wood and corner braces and placed it in a sunny backyard spot, planting it with compost-rich soil and everything from carrot seeds to rhubarb, asparagus, garlic, and sprouted sweet potatoes.

    Continue to 8 of 31 below

  • 08 of 31

    Terrace a Sloping Lawn

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (10)

    Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona added terraced raised garden beds in varying heights to the sloping lawn outside her DIY shed-turned greenhouse to counteract the uneven ground.

    Made from non-toxic pressure-treated wood, the beds are lined with cardboard and filled with a mix of soil from the surrounding woods and garden soil from the local home goods center, a layer of moisture-absorbing wood chips, and finished with a layer of insect-repelling cedar chips.

    Continue to 9 of 31 below

  • 09 of 31

    Keep the Bunnies Out

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (11)

    Most Lovely Things chose galvanized stock tanks that are two feet high, making them easy to maintain without bending over, and keeping local bunnies from feasting on the garden.

    Continue to 10 of 31 below

  • 10 of 31

    Use Repurposed Materials

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (12)

    Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona made these raised garden beds using salvaged pallet wood and salvaged castors from a piece of furniture picked up along the side of the road.

    Continue to 11 of 31 below

  • 11 of 31

    Vary Heights and Sizes

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (13)

    Finding Lovely incorporated raised garden planters of varying heights in this enclosed garden space that is planted with everything from vegetables to flowers.

    Continue to 12 of 31 below

  • 12 of 31

    Add a Cover

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (14)

    Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona created a low-maintenance garden by placing self-watering raised garden beds on an outdoor deck. Leftover PVC pipe was used to create a shade cover for transplanted seedlings that is particularly helpful on especially hot days.

    Continue to 13 of 31 below

  • 13 of 31

    Add a Cage Cover

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (15)

    A Beautiful Mess built a DIY cage for this DIY-raised garden bed to keep animals from chewing up plants.

    Continue to 14 of 31 below

  • 14 of 31

    Give It Space

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (16)

    Blogger Liz Marie used stock tanks with plenty of space between them to create a neat and organized feel to the farmhouse garden.

    Continue to 15 of 31 below

  • 15 of 31

    Add a Picket Fence

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (17)

    Blogger Liz Marie Blog added a picket fence around her raised bed garden that helps define the space while adding cottage charm.

    Continue to 16 of 31 below

  • Plant a Mini Herb Garden

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (18)

    Maison de Cinq planted a mini herb garden that's perfect for someone who loves to cook with fresh ingredients and can be located anywhere from the backyard to a patio or porch.

    Continue to 17 of 31 below

  • 17 of 31

    Mix Fruit, Flowers, Veg, and Herbs

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (19)

    This cottage-style fruit, flower, vegetable, and herb garden from Lobster and Swan is filled with everything from blueberry plants to sweet peas, strawberries, salvias, and roses.

    Continue to 18 of 31 below

  • 18 of 31

    Use Douglas Fir

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (20)

    My 100 Year Old Home used Douglas Fir to build these inexpensive DIY raised garden planters along the side of an unused driveway.

    Continue to 19 of 31 below

  • 19 of 31

    Accessorize It

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (21)

    Inspired By Charm customized a premade planter by planting it with salad ingredients on top, storing garden accessories on the bottom, and accessorizing it with gold knobs for hanging tools and gloves, and chalk plant markers.

    Continue to 20 of 31 below

  • 20 of 31

    Use Leftover Fencing

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (22)

    Matching the garden bed to the backyard fencing creates a cohesive look, like this outdoor space from Fantastic Frank.

    Continue to 21 of 31 below

  • 21 of 31

    Make It Cottage Style

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (23)

    Rustic fencing and reclaimed materials add authentic charm to this DIY raised bed cottage garden from Lobster and Swan.

    Continue to 22 of 31 below

  • 22 of 31

    Plant a Cutting Garden

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (24)

    My 100 Year Old Home planted a cutting garden to grow a year-round supply of flowers for the house. The raised cutting garden beds were planted with a lively mix of snapdragons, ranunculus, salvia, tulips, bearded iris, dahlias, and gerbera daisies.

    Continue to 23 of 31 below

  • 23 of 31

    Add Fencing

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (25)

    Finding Lovely built a series of DIY raised garden beds in this spacious garden that sit on a bed of gravel and are surrounded by a tall fence protected with metal mesh to add a second line of defense in keeping critters at bay while maintaining an open feel.

    Continue to 24 of 31 below

  • 24 of 31

    Anchor It With a Greenhouse

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (26)

    Blogger Liz Marie added structure, height, and charm to her farmhouse backyard with a DIY greenhouse that anchors a large raised vegetable garden bed.

    Continue to 25 of 31 below

  • 25 of 31

    Keep It Natural

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (27)

    Lobster and Swan added an effortless feel to these generously planted raised DIY garden beds with plant cages made from sticks and twine.

    Continue to 26 of 31 below

  • 26 of 31

    Involve the Whole Family

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (28)

    Finding Silver Pennies made building a backyard-raised garden bed a project for the family to tackle together. It took an afternoon to build these DIY beds filled with tomato plants, marigolds, and chili peppers. Reclaimed fence posts with an aged patina were used to train the tomato plants.

    Continue to 27 of 31 below

  • 27 of 31

    Plant Some Flowers

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (29)

    You can also use raised garden beds to plant decorative flowers that complement the style of your home and outdoor space. For a bold but minimalist look, consider choosing one type and color of flower in large numbers.

    Finding Lovely planted DIY raised garden beds with generous amounts of pale-colored tulips that create a dramatic but calming feel in the farmhouse garden space.

    Continue to 28 of 31 below

  • 28 of 31

    Make an Herb Garden Coffee Table

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (30)

    If you don't have a backyard or your outdoor space is limited, you can build a micro-raised garden bed like this DIY herb garden coffee table from A Beautiful Mess. The project is made from plywood and costs $75 from start to finish.

    Located on the porch, the mini raised herb garden bed coffee table is both decorative and practical, with room to rest your lemonade or co*cktail and fresh mint at the ready when you want to pop a sprig in your drink.

    Continue to 29 of 31 below

  • 29 of 31

    Upcycle a Vintage Wine Barrel

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (31)

    In this Swedish country house outdoor dining space from Fantastic Frank, large raised garden beds were made from weathered wood and an upcycled vintage wine barrel.

    Continue to 30 of 31 below

  • 30 of 31

    Mark Your Territory

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (32)

    Finding Silver Pennies made beach stone garden markers with local rocks and an oil-based paint pen for these coastal Massachusetts DIY raised garden beds that help keep track of what's been planted while blending in with the natural feel.

    Continue to 31 of 31 below

  • 31 of 31

    Take a Shortcut

    31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (33)

    If you don't have the time for a DIY project, you can create a casual homemade feel with premade raised garden bed planters and potted plants.

    Madison Cleventine of Musings by Madison used premade raised garden bed planters as decor on the side yard of her home and added colorful potted flowers and plants inside and on the ground below to create an English garden feel.

FAQ

  • What is the cheapest way to build a raised garden bed?

    The most affordable way to make a raised garden bed is to do it yourself using recycled/upcycled materials.

  • What type of wood should you use for a raised garden bed?

    The best types of wood to use for a raised garden bed include wood pallets or cedar wood.

  • What should you put at the bottom of a raised garden bed?

    Cinder or concrete blocks are an inexpensive and popular material used to build a foundation for a raised garden bed.

31 Easy and Inexpensive DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to make raised garden beds? ›

Here are a few items you could use, round up or find in your yard to create a raised bed on a small budget.
  1. Bricks.
  2. Stones.
  3. Wood or barn wood (make sure it's chemical free)
  4. Fence pickets.
  5. Cinder blocks.
  6. Galvanized tubs.
May 3, 2023

Learn More ›
How to fill a raised garden bed on a budget? ›

Fill the bottom half with broken branches, twigs and general forest waste. Add green material like grass clippings, weeds (without roots or seeds) comfrey cuttings, kitchen vegetable waste. Top up with 6 inches of topsoil and home-made compost mix.

Learn More ›
Is it cheaper to build your own raised garden bed? ›

Store-bought raised garden beds come in a variety of sizes and styles, but can be pricey. For those interested in raised bed gardening without the expense, these DIY raised garden beds with step-by-step instructions can be built in a few hours and often for a fraction of the cost of store-bought kits.

Tell Me More ›
What can I make a raised bed out of? ›

Ideas for your DIY raised garden bed:
  1. Bookshelf.
  2. Stones, rocks, and tree parts.
  3. Pavers and concrete bricks.
  4. Leftover fencing wood.
  5. Old tires.
  6. Plastic crates.
  7. Cinder blocks and concrete blocks.
  8. Corrugated metal.
Oct 13, 2023

Discover More ›
What is the cheapest material to build a raised bed? ›

What should you put at the bottom of a raised garden bed? Cinder or concrete blocks are an inexpensive and popular material used to build a foundation for a raised garden bed.

Get More Info ›
What not to fill a raised garden bed with? ›

I've seen suggestions online to add plastic bottles or trash bags as filler to the bottom of raised beds to save money on soil. This not only defeats the purpose of installing a raised bed in order to give your plants' roots all the growing room they need, it also can negatively impact the drainage of your raised beds.

See Details ›
Should I put wood chips in the bottom of my raised garden bed? ›

Generally, when it comes to wood chips and vegetable and herb gardens, you want to avoid directly mulching or mixing chips into the soil or garden bed you are planting into. But, again, it could be effective, applied thickly in between your beds.

Show Me More ›
How many bags of soil do I need for a 4x8 raised bed? ›

For a 4x8-foot raised bed with a 6” height, using Mel's Mix: about 5 cubic feet each of compost, peat moss, and vermiculite is needed. It usually takes about two to three bags of purchased fertile mix (1.5 cubic feet each) to cover the bed surface to a depth of 2 inches.

Read The Full Story ›
How deep should a raised garden bed be? ›

Vegetable Beds: On the other hand, when it comes to vegetable beds, the bed must be approximately 12 to 18 inches deep to ensure adequate depth for the roots of your plants. This is especially important if your raised bed is placed on cement or the patio, which will inhibit roots from growing deeper into the ground.

View Details ›
How many inches does a raised garden bed need to be? ›

Most garden crops need at least 10 inches of soil to thrive. If the raised bed height is lower than this, till the existing soil below the raised bed. If the raised bed is on top of a hard surface, the minimum recommended height of 10 inches may not be deep enough for some crops, like potatoes.

Read More ›

What is the cheapest wood for raised garden beds? ›

Pine is a cheaper alternative to more expensive types of wood and easy to find in most hardware stores. Keep in mind, however, that pine will have a much shorter life expectancy in your garden than cedar and redwood. Even within wood types, know that there can be some variation.

Keep Reading ›
What is the easiest thing to grow in a raised bed? ›

If you're looking for high-yield veggies, you can't go wrong with cucumbers, pole beans, radishes, squash, zucchini, peas, and tomatoes. These vegetables are easy to grow and have been known to produce a large amount of produce per plant, providing you with a bountiful harvest that lasts for weeks.

Discover More Details ›
What is the best layout for a vegetable garden? ›

As a general rule, put tall veggies toward the back of the bed, mid-sized ones in the middle, and smaller plants in the front or as a border. Consider adding pollinator plants to attract beneficial insects that can not only help you get a better harvest, but will also prey on garden pests.

Learn More ›
What to put in the bottom of a planter? ›

One of the best things to put at the bottom of a planter for drainage is broken pieces of pot. You can use any unwanted plant pots or chipped crockery for this – simply smash them up into small to medium-sized pieces. Adding a layer of broken pieces of pot like this will prevent compost loss out of the drainage holes.

Read On ›
What is the best material to make raised beds out of? ›

Build your raised bed with a decay-resistant type of wood, such as cedar, black cherry, oak (bur, chestnut, post, white), black locust, Osage orange, or redwood. (Source: USDA Forest Products Lab) Use a non-wood material such as stones, concrete blocks, bricks, or synthetic lumber.

See Details ›
What are the two cons of raised beds? ›

Water Usage and Seasonal Considerations - Due to a raised garden's superior drainage, they tend to dry out faster in the warmer months. This requires more frequent watering to keep your plants hydrated. Due to the increased air circulation, raised beds can become colder sooner than natural soil.

Tell Me More ›
What vegetables grow best in raised beds? ›

Most garden vegetables will grow well in raised beds. Try growing lettuce, greens, radishes, and strawberries. Bush type vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans also do well in raised beds. You can install trellises for vegetables that need support, like some tomatoes and beans.

Get More Info Here ›
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