1. Raised Bed Corners
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Most of the work constructing a raised bed comes in getting the corners to meet. There are many clever connectors that take care of this hassle for you. These corners are made of powder-coated aluminum topped with plastic caps, to keep out water. Just hammer them into the ground, slide in your boards and you're done.
The brackets come in four heights: 6", 8", 10" and 12". I'd recommend you go for the 12", to get the full benefit of having a raised bed. You could even double the brackets and make taller raised beds.
All 4 sizes fit standard 2 x lumber. When using boards over 4', you should consider adding the similar "in-line connectors", to prevent bowing. Some assembly required. Brackets are sold in sets of 2, starting at about $16.95.
2. Cedar Raised Bed
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
This is a nice little raised bed kit. Everything you need to build a raised bed except the soil and plants. The boards are untreated, rot-resistant cedar. Again, you anchor the corners into the ground, slide in the boards, then top with the decorative caps. It can take some finagling to get it laid out square, but it's easy enough to reposition the corners.
The finished bed is 3' x 6' - easily workable. There are also 8' and 10' models. At 13" high, you'll get improved drainage, but some plants roots will probably be going into the sub-soil below. Assembly required. Starting at about $230.
3. Self-Watering Raised Beds
For those of us who are watering challenged, this kit comes with two 4 gallon reservoirs to continually water the 9 sq. feet of planting area. The depth is 12", which is good for drainage and early spring warming, but plant roots will probably spread.
The sides are made of UV-stabilized polypropylene, so it’s pretty much crack and fade resistant. You have a choice of white, green or brown and they’re actually rather nice looking, for wood grained resin. It can even be put on casters for portability.
One final plus, there’s a water gauge to remind you to refill, when it’s empty. Assembly required. Prices start at about $170.00
4. Forever Raised Bed
Quick assembly and long, long lasting composite sides are the key features for these raised beds. The sides are a rot-resistant composite of recycled wood and plastic made to resemble cedar, but supposedly even longer lasting. The aluminum joints are inside the unit, so they’re virtually invisible.
Comes in 3' x 3' or 3' x 6' sizes, both with a planting depth of 10 ½". Twelve to 18" would be a better depth, but you’ll still get the improved drainage and warming and the ability to control your soil. Assembly required. Prices start at about $150.
