Best wood garden beds: Boldly Growing Cedar Raised Garden Bed KitBest plastic garden beds: The Lakeside Collection Raised Garden Bed SetBest metal garden beds: Galvanized Raised Garden BedsBest small garden beds: Raised Metal Garden Planter BoxBest tiered garden beds: YAHEETECH Three-tier Raised Garden BedBest raised garden beds under $15: Apipi Two-pack Raised Garden Planter Fabric Bed

American food culture is very much devoted to its meat and dairy consumption, but for the past decade or so, the farm-to-table food movement has made major strides in putting vegetables back in the spotlight. And in spring 2020, when some food items became scarce and folks were suddenly spending a lot more time at home, fresh produce—including those from backyard vegetable gardens—became that much more important.  While the majority of Americans didn’t have the capacity or expertise to become fully self-sufficient, building raised garden beds was within reach for most. Thus, one of the most accessible and rewarding hobbies of 2020 (and 2021) was also one of the most popular and ultimately enabled people in all parts of the county to grow their own food, nurture new life, and spend more time outside feeling productive and purposeful. This is the true gift of gardening: Even if you only harvest a few carrots, or your flowers don’t all bloom, you still get to witness and partake in the most literal—and rewarding—version of reaping what you sow. So whether you’re a novice gardener or an old farm hand looking to learn some new tricks, we’ve compiled this elevated garden bed guide to help you grow your skillset—along with a tasty bounty.

If you want wood garden beds, search for cedar

Wood garden beds are probably the most classic style you can buy, and they’ve stood the test of time for good reason: They look great, they blend in with the natural environment, and you can trust that they won’t poison or otherwise damage your crops. It’s important, however, to choose the right kind of wood when building a garden bed, because wood is, obviously, vulnerable to rot. While pine is one of the cheapest options available, depending on where you live it won’t last you more than a handful of years before starting to crumble. A cedar raised garden bed, then, is the best, albeit most expensive, option for a wood garden bed.

Best wood garden bed: Boldly Growing Cedar Raised Garden Bed Kit

This cedar raised garden bed kit has everything you need to kick start your vegetable garden and no tools are required. Get ready for raw, premium cedar, zero splinters, an easy assembly, and, most importantly, year after year of bountiful veggies.

Plastic is a great nonpermanent option

If wood is the most permanent option for raised garden beds, plastic is the most temporary. For folks who are renting, moving soon, or just generally indecisive about where to plant their gardens, plastic wins: It’s lightweight, easy to move around, and super affordable, especially compared to wood. Plastic has its downsides, of course. It won’t keep its shape as well as wood and might bend or snap under pressure. But it’s cheap to replace broken boxes, and if you have hesitations about where or when to move your garden beds, plastic may be the right material for your elevated garden bed.

Best plastic garden bed: The Lakeside Collection Raised Garden Bed Set

Convenience is king with this plastic garden bed, and you can put it almost anywhere you want. Separate plastic panels make for easy storage (the whole set is collapsable) and enable a variety of different shapes and designs.

Durability is key

Metal garden boxes are by far the most durable: They’re nearly unbreakable, unlike plastic, and they won’t rot, unlike wood. It’s not a flawless material, though; metal can obviously rust, and it’s both heavy and fairly expensive. That said, if you live in a place that requires extra protection from the elements, or prefer an extra-sturdy material, metal is a great option for your raised garden bed.

Best metal garden bed: Galvanized Raised Garden Beds

When it comes to garden beds, using a material that’s eco-friendly is key, otherwise you risk damaging your plants. Luckily, this galvanized garden bed fits the bill, and it will protect your plants season after season, without poisoning your crop.

Raised garden beds come in all shapes and sizes

If you don’t have much in the way of outdoor space, building a raised garden bed is a great alternative. Garden boxes come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s no harm in keeping things small. Maybe you don’t have a backyard, per se, but do you have a balcony, fire escape, front porch, windowsill, or rooftop? Take a look around and search for a creative substitute space. Then, simply find a garden bed that works with what you’ve got. A little ingenuity can go a long way.

Best small garden bed: Raised Metal Garden Planter Box

Galvanized, rust-resistant steel puts this planter box on par with our previous choice of raised metal garden bed, but with a twist: it’s tiny enough to fit in a limited space. With a built-in drainage system and weather-resistant steel, this bed could easily be home to a thriving bunch of herbs, veggies, or flowers.

Three cheers for tiers

This one’s for the folks who can’t resist doing things just a little bit differently. If you have the space—and a love of smart design—consider veering off course and opting for a tiered garden bed. Unlike the classic one-level beds, these babies can house two or three times the amount of vegetables without expanding their footprint, and they are often easy to separate in case you do end up wanting individual beds instead. It should come as no surprise that they cost more, but if you’re an ambitious gardener with a long veggie wish list, it might be worth the investment.

Best tiered garden bed: YAHEETECH Three-tier Raised Garden Bed

Ready to launch your micro-farm? Simply connect each garden bed tier using the built-in plugs, and you’re ready to go. Added bonus: Each bed is made of 100-percent fir planks, ensuring its durability and quality. And while you can stack the beds for a tiered setup, you can easily separate them and have three stand-alone beds instead.

Fabric is super affordable

Starting any project can be intimidating when you look at your budget and realize that it’s, well, small. But not to worry: Vegetables don’t discriminate, and there’s no problem with DIY setups or alternative materials that won’t break the bank. Consider, for example, fabric garden beds. Fabric might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re hunting for a durable, long-lasting garden box. But, contrary to popular belief, certain types of fabric are plenty sturdy to protect your plants and thus serve as adequate garden beds. Obviously, you’re not going to get the years-long guarantee that you might get from some other materials, but what this option lacks in longevity, it certainly makes up for in price.

Best garden bed under $15: Apipi Two-pack Raised Garden Planter Fabric Bed

The award for most lightweight and most affordable garden bed clearly goes to those made of fabric. All you need to do with this two-pack is unfold each foursome, fill each square with dirt, and start planting. Easy as pie. 

The final word on building the best raised garden bed

Nurturing new life in a vegetable garden or flower box is a true delight. Reconnect with the great outdoors, discover a newfound appreciation for food and flowers, and get your hands dirty with the best raised garden beds. You might surprise yourself—and your tastebuds, too.