Choose the installation before the material
Start with where the bed will stand, the growing depth you need and whether you expect to move it. A steel bed open to the ground and a steel planter on legs solve different problems. The same distinction applies to cedar: a frame contains the sides of the soil; an elevated planter must also support it from below.
For an open-bottom bed, plan the soil beneath it as part of the growing space. On paving, the fill must provide the whole rooting depth and drainage needs a route out. On a balcony or deck, obtain a site-specific filled-weight assessment before buying. Follow the site and bottom preparation checklist before choosing a liner or mix.
Metal: compare the coating and the connections
The catalog includes Vego’s VZ 2.0 coated steel, Birdies steel coated with zinc, aluminum and magnesium, Epic’s aluzinc steel and galvanized steel from several other makers. Those are manufacturer descriptions of different products. A coating name alone does not establish a service life, food-growing assurance or resistance to every soil and climate.
For modular panels, choose the arrangement first, then check the fasteners, braces and protective edging in that exact kit’s instructions. A long arrangement may use parts differently from a square one. Inspect coating damage and loose hardware during use; ask the manufacturer for its repair method before painting, drilling or substituting a fastener.
A useful comparison is Vego’s 17-inch modular beds against the cedar and composite rows below. Its alternative layouts are useful, but their advertised dimensions cannot automatically pass a precise outside-space check.
Cedar: joints, treatment and replaceable parts matter
Wood construction varies even within this catalog. Gardener’s Supply Farmstead uses cedar boards and black locust pegs; several other cedar families use aluminum corners. Consider how you will reach the fasteners, replace a board and inspect the underside of an elevated floor.
Maryland Extension separates untreated lumber, current treated lumber and older preservatives. If treatment history is unknown, a generic “wood” label cannot settle the choice. Use the Extension material and treatment guidance for that decision. We do not convert its discussion into a chemical-safety claim for an unidentified kit.
Farmstead’s maker describes untreated cedar that weathers gray and optional staining. That is not evidence that every cedar product has the same finish or care instructions. A side liner and a bottom barrier do different jobs; see the liner decision before covering the floor.
Composite and fabric: check the actual construction
Gardener’s Supply Sustainable beds combine recycled plastic and reclaimed sawdust with aluminum corners. “Composite” describes a mixture, not a universal specification. Compare the chosen frame, joint design and maker’s maintenance instructions; do not transfer a warranty or longevity claim from another blend.
Root Pouch Black uses recycled PET and natural fibers. It is a flexible container, so an empty trade-size label is a weak basis for a tight placement or exact soil order. Measure the filled shape. Minnesota Extension treats grow bags as containers and notes limited research on microplastic release; this site makes no material-safety guarantee.
If moving is central to the choice, distinguish moving an empty fabric bag or disassembled frame from moving a filled planter. Handles and optional casters do not establish a filled moving load. Check the selected product’s carrying or caster instructions and your route before filling.
Compare how the beds we list are built
The table below keeps material, bottom and assembly together. Open a product to compare exact sizes, documented outside measurements and planting depth. An unpublished care or hardware detail stays unpublished; it is not a lower quality score.
Scroll across for construction, assembly and outside sizes.
| Bed | Material and bottom | Assembly and what to watch for | Outside measurements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vego 9-in-1 raised bed, 17-inch | VZ 2.0 coated galvanized steel Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Choose one layout before ordering soil: the nine arrangements use the same set of panels. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vego X-in-1 giant modular bed, 17-inch | VZ 2.0 coated steel (zinc, aluminum and magnesium) Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 2-ft-wide layouts can be planted from one long side, so they can run along a fence or a path; the 4-ft-wide ones need a path on both long sides. The 4 × 10 ft layout takes 57 cubic feet, about 2.1 cubic yards, so get a quote for bulk soil before you buy 38 bags. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vego 6-in-1 raised bed, 17-inch | VZ 2.0 coated galvanized steel Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Place this open-bottom bed over garden ground. Choose an elevated planter if you need a contained growing space. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vego 4-in-1 raised bed, 14-inch | VZ 2.0 coated galvanized steel Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 3.5 × 3.5 ft layout takes 10 bags of 1.5 ft³ for Vego’s 14.29 cubic feet, the 2 × 5 ft 8, the 2 × 3.5 ft 6 and the 2 × 2 ft 4. The four layouts use one set of panels: choose one before ordering soil. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vego Extra Tall 6-in-1 raised bed, 32-inch | VZ 2.0 coated galvanized steel Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Filling all 32 inches takes substantially more material than a shallow fill. Enter your intended depth before buying soil. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vego Classic elevated planter | VZ 2.0 zinc-magnesium-aluminum coated steel Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Use the 12-inch planting depth for fill calculations. The taller overall stand height includes the legs. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vego Slim elevated planter | VZ 2.0 zinc-magnesium-aluminum coated steel Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Vego gives conflicting fill capacities. Measure the inside and use the soil calculator before ordering bags. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vego Jumbo elevated planter | VZ 2.0 zinc-magnesium-aluminum coated steel Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The wheeled and fixed options have different footprints. Choose the version first, then mark its space and access paths. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Gardener’s Supply Sustainable raised bed | Composite of recycled plastic and reclaimed sawdust with powder-coated aluminum corners On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The bottom is open to the soil below. Choose a ground location with drainage, or use a contained planter for a patio. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Gardener’s Supply cedar bed, 7¼-inch | Cedar with powder-coated aluminum corners On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. A four-foot-wide bed needs access from both long sides for easier reaching. Include those paths when choosing the length. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Gardener’s Supply Deep Root cedar bed | Cedar with powder-coated aluminum corners On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Keep both long sides accessible. A longer bed adds growing space, but it also needs a longer clear path beside it. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Gardener’s Supply Farmstead cedar bed | Vermont white cedar boards with black locust pegs On the ground; bottom not stated | Tool-free frame assembly Maker says untreated cedar weathers gray and may be stained. Stacking another level increases the fill volume. Calculate the assembled height you intend to use before ordering soil. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Gardener’s Supply elevated cedar planter | Cedar sides with powder-coated aluminum corners Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Use potting mix. This planter excludes ordinary garden soil, topsoil, sand, clay and rocks, so those are not substitutes for the fill. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Birdies Medium modular steel bed | 24-gauge steel, 0.50 mm before its zinc, aluminum and magnesium coating (ZAM 100) Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Choose the layout before measuring paths or buying soil. The six shapes are alternative layouts of one kit. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Birdies Large modular steel bed | 24-gauge steel, 0.50 mm before its zinc, aluminum and magnesium coating (ZAM 100) Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Bracing included; confirm placement for the chosen layout The 4-foot-wide layouts need access from both long sides. Mark those paths before deciding which layout fits. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Birdies round steel bed | 24-gauge steel, 0.50 mm before its zinc, aluminum and magnesium coating (ZAM 100) Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Leave a clear route around the rim so you can reach the center from different sides. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Root Pouch Black fabric container | Recycled PET and natural-fiber blend Fabric base | No frame assembly The fabric changes shape when filled. Measure the filled container to estimate your soil order; the size in the product name may not equal its filled capacity. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Gardener’s Supply cedar planter with shelf | Cedar with powder-coated aluminum hardware and protective plastic caps Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 35-inch height includes the legs. Choose it for the 10-inch growing depth, and measure the inside before calculating fill. | 1 of 1 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Gardener’s Supply cedar patio planter with shelf | Cedar with powder-coated aluminum hardware and protective plastic caps Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The shallow planting space is a different choice from the 10-inch-deep shelf planter. Compare the depth required for your planting plan. | 1 of 1 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Gronomics cedar raised beds | Natural cedar Open to supporting ground | Tool-free frame assembly Choose both the footprint and depth before ordering. The stated fill capacity is a manufacturer estimate; inside measurements are still needed for your own soil calculation. | 4 of 4 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Gronomics elevated cedar beds | Cedar Raised floor | Tool-free frame assembly The overall height includes the legs. Use the separately listed planting depth when deciding whether the growing space is deep enough. | 2 of 2 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Frame It All GardenBLOX 2 × 2 ft composite box | Composite of 38% HDPE plastic and 62% wood fibers Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Frame It All suggests it for herbs or flowers. Two levels, 11 inches, take 3.66 cubic feet: 3 bags of 1.5 ft³. It can grow later: stack another level on top, or swing one side board out and add boards to make it longer, without moving the soil. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Frame It All GardenBLOX 2 × 4 ft composite bed | Composite of 38% HDPE plastic and 62% wood fibers Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. At 2 ft wide you reach across it from one side, so it can stand against a fence or wall. Two levels, 11 inches, take 7.34 cubic feet: 5 bags of 1.5 ft³. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Frame It All GardenBLOX 2 × 6 ft composite bed | Composite of 38% HDPE plastic and 62% wood fibers Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. From two levels up, two boards cross the bed, so it reads as three 2 × 2 ft squares. At 2 ft wide you reach across it from one side, so it can stand against a fence or wall. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Frame It All GardenBLOX 2 × 8 ft composite bed | Composite of 38% HDPE plastic and 62% wood fibers Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Order by Frame It All’s soil calculator, not the product page. For three and four levels the page prints 18.5 and 26 cubic feet; the calculator gives 21.99 and 29.32, what a 2 × 8 ft bed holds at 16.5 and 22 inches. The page’s figures leave you 2 bags short. From two levels up, three boards cross the bed, so it reads as four 2 × 2 ft squares, and at 2 ft wide you reach across it from one side. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Frame It All GardenBLOX 4 × 4 ft composite bed | Composite of 38% HDPE plastic and 62% wood fibers Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Stack only the levels you need: the soil figure rises by 7.33 cubic feet with each one. The 4 × 4 ft size is nominal, so measure inside after assembly. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Frame It All GardenBLOX 4 × 8 ft composite bed | Composite of 38% HDPE plastic and 62% wood fibers Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. From two levels up, a board runs across the middle of the top level, so the bed reads as two 4 × 4 ft squares. The 4 × 8 ft size is nominal, so measure inside after assembly. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Frame It All GardenBLOX 4 × 12 ft composite bed | Composite of 38% HDPE plastic and 62% wood fibers Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. From two levels up, two boards cross the bed and divide it into three 4 × 4 ft squares. At 4 ft wide it is at the limit Frame It All gives for a bed you reach from both sides, so leave a path along each long side. For four levels the product page prints 88.88 cubic feet; the soil calculator gives 88, four times the one-level 22: 59 bags, not 60. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Frame It All GardenBLOX 8 × 8 ft composite bed | Composite of 38% HDPE plastic and 62% wood fibers Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The middle is about 4 ft from every side, and Frame It All itself gives 4 ft as the widest bed you can reach from both sides: plan how you will reach the middle before you fill it. The 8 × 8 ft size is nominal, so measure inside after assembly. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Metal Garden Beds CUADRA, EXACTO and FRESA | Hot-dip galvanized steel (ASTM A653 CS-B), 23-gauge sidewalls and 18-gauge corners Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Choose by length; all three are 3 ft 4 in wide and 17 inches tall. Each stated capacity is larger than the published length × width × height, so measure the inside before ordering soil. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Tarter 4 ft oval galvanized planter | Galvanized steel Open to supporting ground | No frame assembly. It arrives ready to place. Length and width can vary by up to 4 inches, the maker says, so measure it before planning paths. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Best Choice 6 × 3 ft metal bed, 24 inches tall | Powder-coated steel Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 24-inch walls hold 36 cubic feet when full. You do not have to fill all 24 inches; choose your fill depth first. | 1 of 1 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Outdoor Living Today Urban cedar planter | Western Red Cedar with aluminum corner connectors Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The floor keeps the soil in, so it can stand on a patio if the surface takes the filled weight. Its 3-year rot warranty covers raised beds only when lined with a waterproof membrane. | 1 of 1 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Greenes Fence cedar 4 × 8 ft bed | Untreated North American cedar, 3/4-inch boards and 2.5-inch corner posts On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The stated capacities equal 4 × 8 ft times the wall height. The page does not say whether 4 × 8 ft is the inside or outside size, so measure inside after assembly. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| VegTrug Classic 1.8 m cedar trough | Inland Red Cedar Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The soil is deepest in the middle of the V, so a length × width × depth estimate overstates it; use the maker’s 420 liters. VegTrug says the working height allows wheelchair access. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Garden In Minutes 17-in-1 metal bed | 0.6 mm steel with an aluzinc-magnesium coating Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Pick the layout first: only the two largest use every panel. The maker gives two different soil figures for the 24 × 70 inch layout, so measure that one before ordering. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vego 42-inch round bed, 17 inches tall | VZ 2.0 coated steel (zinc, aluminum and magnesium), 0.6 mm Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Leave room to walk around it: from the edge, the center is 21 inches away. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vego 32-inch Jumbo 10-in-1 modular bed | VZ 2.0 coated steel (zinc, aluminum and magnesium) Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Vego says the 32-inch walls make gardening more comfortable. Filling them takes a lot of soil, so choose your fill depth before ordering; the deep-bed guide covers cheaper ways to fill the bottom. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vego Woodgrain steel bed, 26 inches tall | Triple-galvanized coated steel with a woodgrain finish Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. In the 4 × 8 ft size, the middle is 2 feet from either long side; the 2 × 8 ft size is half as wide. Check the reach you need before choosing. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vego Woodgrain L and U beds, 16-inch | Triple-galvanized coated steel with a woodgrain finish Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The L takes 24 bags of 1.5 ft³ and the U 40, by Vego’s volumes. The back of the U is 4 ft deep, the width of a 4 × 8 bed, so leave a path behind it too: from the walkway alone, its far edge is out of easy reach. The walkway, about 4 ft wide, is the room the University of Georgia Extension recommends between beds for carts, wheelbarrows and wheelchairs. | 2 of 2 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Vego Modern metal beds, 17-inch | Powder-coated galvanized steel Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 4 × 8 ft bed takes 30 bags of 1.5 ft³ for Vego’s 45 cubic feet, the 3 × 6 ft 17, the 4 × 4 and 2 × 8 ft 15 each and the 2 × 4 ft 8. Vego’s Classic mesh cover, frost cover and arched trellis do not fit these beds, Vego says; a cover for the Modern line is in development. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Birdies Jumbo modular steel bed | 24-gauge steel, 0.50 mm before its zinc, aluminum and magnesium coating (ZAM 100) Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 6 × 6 ft layout puts the middle 3 feet from every side. Check the reach you need before choosing it. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Epic Small modular steel bed | 24-gauge aluzinc steel (aluminum-zinc coated), painted, with stainless steel hardware On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Choose the height first: each height is sold as its own kit. The 29-inch bed takes about twice the soil of the 15-inch one. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Epic Medium modular steel bed | 24-gauge aluzinc steel (aluminum-zinc coated), painted, with stainless steel hardware On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 4-foot-wide layouts need access from both long sides. Mark those paths before deciding which layout fits. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Epic Large modular steel bed | 24-gauge aluzinc steel (aluminum-zinc coated), painted, with stainless steel hardware On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. At 29 inches tall the 6 × 6 ft layout takes 87 cubic feet by Epic’s figures. Fill only the depth your plants need. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Epic round steel bed | 24-gauge aluzinc steel (aluminum-zinc coated), painted, with stainless steel hardware On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The round beds cannot be joined into a larger size, Epic says. Leave room to walk around the rim. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vegega 17-inch 10-in-1 modular steel bed | Zn-Al-Mg coated steel, 0.6 mm panels, stainless steel screws Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Vegega’s volumes fill each layout to the brim, and Vegega says 80 to 90% of a bed’s capacity is enough: about 35 to 40 cubic feet for the 4 × 8 ft layout, listed at 44.12. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vegega 32-inch 10-in-1 modular steel bed | Zn-Al-Mg coated steel, 0.6 mm panels, stainless steel screws Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Filling 32 inches takes a lot of soil: 82.94 cubic feet, or 56 bags of 1.5 ft³, for the 4 × 8 ft layout. Set your fill depth first; the deep-bed guide covers cheaper ways to fill the bottom. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vegega 11-inch 10-in-1 modular steel bed | Zn-Al-Mg coated steel, 0.6 mm panels, stainless steel screws Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The bottom is open, so roots can go on down into good ground; over poor or hard ground, a taller bed gives them more soil. The 4 × 8 ft layout holds 28.24 cubic feet, 19 bags of 1.5 ft³. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vegega 17-inch 9-in-1 modular steel bed | Zn-Al-Mg coated steel, 0.6 mm panels, stainless steel screws Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 2 × 8 ft layout holds 21.75 cubic feet, 15 bags of 1.5 ft³, and its middle is 12 inches from either long side. Vegega says 80 to 90% of the capacity is enough. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vegega 32-inch 9-in-1 modular steel bed | Zn-Al-Mg coated steel, 0.6 mm panels, stainless steel screws Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 2 × 8 ft layout holds 40.9 cubic feet to the brim, 28 bags of 1.5 ft³. Vegega says 80 to 90% of it is enough, about 33 to 37 cubic feet. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vegega 42-inch round bed, 17 inches tall | Zn-Al-Mg coated steel, 0.6 mm panels, stainless steel screws Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Leave room to walk around it: from the edge, the center is 21 inches away. Filled to the brim it takes 10 bags of 1.5 ft³. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Keter Urban Bloomer resin planter on legs | Resin Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. 12.7 gallons is about 1.7 cubic feet, two bags of 1.5 ft³ of potting mix. Keter gives a loading capacity of 105 lb. | 1 of 1 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Keter Splendor resin planter on legs | Resin, rattan look Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. 31.7 gallons is about 4.2 cubic feet, three bags of 1.5 ft³ of potting mix. Keter gives a loading capacity of 264 lb. | 1 of 1 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Keter Darwin resin planter on legs | Resin Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. 29 gallons is about 3.9 cubic feet, three bags of 1.5 ft³ of potting mix. Keter’s Signature planter is the same size and capacity in another finish. | 1 of 1 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Keter Maple 4 × 4 ft resin bed | Resin On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. 117 gallons is about 15.6 cubic feet, 11 bags of 1.5 ft³. In a 4 × 4 ft bed the middle is about 2 feet from every side. | 1 of 1 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Veikous cedar planter on legs, 4 × 2 ft, 14 inches deep | Cedar Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. 7.26 cubic feet takes five bags of 1.5 ft³. Veikous sells two finishes, a sprayed and a roller-applied varnish, with the same size and capacity. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Veikous cedar planter on legs, 2 × 8 ft | Cedar Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. 9.8 cubic feet takes seven bags of 1.5 ft³. Veikous gives no planting depth, so measure the inside before choosing deep-rooted crops. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Veikous galvanized steel planter on legs | Galvanized steel with 304 stainless steel hardware and a removable liner Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. 7.5 cubic feet takes five bags of 1.5 ft³. The hardware is 304 stainless steel and the edges are rolled, Veikous says. | 1 of 1 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Veikous galvanized planter on wheels with a shelf | Galvanized steel with 304 stainless steel hardware and a removable liner Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. 7.8 cubic feet takes six bags of 1.5 ft³. The wheels brake, so the planter can be rolled into sun or shade and held there. | 1 of 1 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Sunnydaze galvanized steel bed, 11.75 inches tall | Galvanized steel, 1 mm thick Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 4 × 2 ft size takes six bags of 1.5 ft³ filled to the brim; leave an inch or two at the top and five are enough. Sunnydaze gives a 1-year warranty. | 5 of 5 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| VEVOR alu-zinc steel raised beds | Steel with an aluminum-zinc coating, corrugated panels Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Filled to the brim, the 8 × 4 × 1 ft bed takes 21 bags of 1.5 ft³, the 6.67 × 3.35 ft bed 23 and the 8 × 4 × 2 ft bed 40. VEVOR gives no planting depth or warranty on these pages. | 3 of 3 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Gardenary corten steel raised beds | Corten (weathering) steel, 16-gauge panels Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Gardenary states no soil capacity, but whether its sizes are inside or outside, a bed holds no more than its size times its height. Filled to the brim, the 40-inch beds take at most about 13 and 18.5 cubic feet (9 and 13 bags of 1.5 ft³), the 48 × 48 in bed 21 (15 bags) and the 48 × 96 in bed 43 (29 bags). The corner brackets and the brace sit inside, so measure between the walls after assembly to order no more than you need. While the steel weathers it can stain light or porous surfaces, so Gardenary says to stand the beds on grass or gravel; it suggests a vinegar and salt spray to speed the weathering. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Gardenary cedar raised beds, 12 inches tall | Untreated kiln-dried cedar, 1-inch boards, with a cedar top trim On the ground; bottom not stated | The body slides together without tools; the top trim needs a hand drill and the screws in the box. Gardenary states no soil capacity, but whether its sizes are inside or outside, a bed holds no more than its size times its height. Filled to the brim, the 4 × 8 ft bed takes at most 32 cubic feet (22 bags of 1.5 ft³) and the 3 × 6 ft bed 18 (12 bags). If those are outside sizes, the 1-inch boards leave about 46 × 94 in inside a 4 × 8: 30 cubic feet, or 20 bags. Measure between the walls once it’s built. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Gardenary cedar raised beds, 18 inches tall | Untreated kiln-dried cedar, 1-inch boards, with a cedar top trim On the ground; bottom not stated | The body slides together without tools; the top trim needs a hand drill and the screws in the box. Gardenary states no soil capacity, but whether its sizes are inside or outside, a bed holds no more than its size times its height. Filled to the brim, the 4 × 8 ft bed takes at most 48 cubic feet (32 bags of 1.5 ft³) and the 3 × 6 ft bed 27 (18 bags). If those are outside sizes, the 1-inch boards leave about 46 × 94 in inside a 4 × 8: 45 cubic feet, or 30 bags. Measure between the walls once it’s built. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Gardenary cedar raised beds, 24 inches tall | Untreated kiln-dried cedar, 1-inch boards, with a cedar top trim On the ground; bottom not stated | The body slides together without tools; the top trim needs a hand drill and the screws in the box. Gardenary states no soil capacity, but whether its sizes are inside or outside, a bed holds no more than its size times its height. Filled to the brim, the 4 × 8 ft bed takes at most 64 cubic feet (43 bags of 1.5 ft³) and the 3 × 6 ft bed 36 (24 bags). If those are outside sizes, the 1-inch boards leave about 46 × 94 in inside a 4 × 8: 60 cubic feet, or 40 bags. Measure between the walls once it’s built. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Gardenary elevated cedar planter | Untreated kiln-dried cedar, 1-inch boards, with a slatted floor Raised floor | The body slides together without tools; the top trim needs a hand drill and the screws in the box. Gardenary gives the growing depth, 12 inches, but no inside size or capacity. Filled 12 inches deep, the 48 × 24 in planter holds at most 8 cubic feet (6 bags of 1.5 ft³) and the 36 × 21 in planter 5.25 (4 bags). If those are outside sizes, the 1-inch boards leave about 46 × 22 in inside the larger one: 7 cubic feet, or 5 bags. Gardenary says small gaps between the floor slats let the water drain. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Gardenary corten steel planter with a floor | Corten (weathering) steel, folded panels, with a steel floor Floor, on the ground | The five steel panels interlock and arrive flat, Gardenary says; it lists no tools. Gardenary states no soil capacity or inside size, but a planter holds no more than its size times its height: from about 6.8 cubic feet (5 bags of 1.5 ft³) for the 46 × 16 in planter, 16 in tall, to 15.3 (11 bags) for the 46 × 24 in, 24 in tall. The floor sits about 1 inch above the ground, Gardenary says, so the soil can be a little shallower than the height: measure inside once it’s built. While the steel weathers it can stain light or porous surfaces, so Gardenary says to stand the planter on grass until then; it suggests a vinegar and salt spray to speed the weathering. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Gardenary aluminum planter | Powder-coated aluminum, with a floor Floor, on the ground | Gardenary’s page does not say how it goes together, so check the parts and any instructions in the box. Gardenary states no soil capacity or inside size, but a planter holds no more than its size times its height: about 6.8 cubic feet (5 bags of 1.5 ft³) for the 46 × 16 in planter, 10.6 (8 bags) for the 46 × 20 in, 4.6 (4 bags) for the 20-inch cube and 2.4 (2 bags) for the 16-inch cube. Gardenary sells it for decks and balconies with weight limits but gives no weight, and the soil is the heavy part: filled to the brim and watered, the 46 × 20 in planter holds about 430 to 900 lb of potting mix, the 16-inch cube about 90 to 200 lb. Gardenary sells the casters for moving it around but gives no load for them, so roll the planter to where it will stand before you fill it. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Land Guard rectangular metal beds | Galvanized metal panels On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 8 × 4 ft bed takes 19 bags of 1.5 ft³ at 12 inches, 28 at 18, 38 at 24 and 56 at 36, by Land Guard’s estimates. For a tall bed, a layer of logs and branches under the soil means fewer bags: a foot of wood in the 36-inch bed leaves room for about 38, the 24-inch bed’s figure. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Land Guard oval metal beds | Galvanized metal panels On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 8 × 4 ft oval takes 17 bags of 1.5 ft³ at 12 inches, 34 at 24 and 50 at 36, by Land Guard’s estimates: the rounded ends hold less than a rectangle of the same size. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Anleolife metal beds | Galvanized steel Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 8 × 4 ft oval takes 28 bags of 1.5 ft³ at 18 inches, 38 at 24 and 46 at 30, by Anleolife’s capacities. The 30-inch beds have thicker panels than the lower ones: 0.9 mm against 0.8 mm. Of the 18-inch shaped beds, the L takes 21 bags, the hexagon and the heart 22 each, and the U 29. The 3 × 2 ft ovals, sold in threes for children, take 6 each. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Land Guard round metal beds | Galvanized metal panels Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 48-inch ring takes 8 bags of 1.5 ft³ at 12 inches tall and 22 at 36, by Land Guard’s estimates. At 24 inches tall its picture repeats the 36-inch ring’s 13 cubic feet, about half what that circle holds, so measure it before ordering. The 24-inch ring at 12 inches takes 2 bags: a herb bed by the door. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Anleolife round metal beds | Galvanized steel Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 36-inch ring at 30 inches and the 48-inch ring at 18 inches each take 12 bags of 1.5 ft³, by Anleolife’s capacities: the same soil, one deep and one wide. The 35-inch ring at 24 inches takes 10. The 24-inch rings come in fours for a children’s garden, 4 bags each. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Anleolife elevated metal beds | Galvanized steel, 0.8 mm corrugated panels Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 35-inch planter takes 4 bags of 1.5 ft³ and the 22-inch one 6, by Anleolife’s capacities. Each page’s dimensions row says 4 × 4 ft, against the 4 × 1.5 and 4 × 2 ft of its title and planting area: measure the box before you order a liner or a cover for it. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Arrow GROW IT steel beds | Galvanized steel On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The 72 × 36 in bed takes 18 bags of 1.5 ft³ for Arrow’s 26.25 cubic feet, the 36 × 36 in bed 9 and the low 40 × 40 in bed 8. It bolts together with wing nuts, no tools needed, Arrow says. Each size’s model number is listed with it, to match a store’s listing. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vego L-shaped raised bed, 17 inches tall | VZ 2.0 coated steel (zinc, aluminum and magnesium) Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Each arm is 2.5 ft wide, so from either side its middle is 15 inches away and the L can fill a corner you walk around. Filled to the brim, the 5.5 ft L takes 20 bags of 1.5 ft³ and the 7 ft L takes 28. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vego U-shaped raised bed, 17 inches tall | VZ 2.0 coated steel (zinc, aluminum and magnesium) Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The opening between the arms is 3.5 ft wide, room to kneel or sit inside. The Jumbo’s 4 ft arms put their middle 2 ft from either side. Filled to the brim, the two take 34 and 62 bags of 1.5 ft³: price a bulk delivery before buying the Jumbo’s soil in bags. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vegega L-shaped steel bed, 17 inches tall | Zn-Al-Mg coated steel, 0.6 mm panels, stainless steel screws Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Vegega’s volume fills the bed to about its brim, and Vegega says 80 to 90% of a bed’s capacity is enough: about 30 to 34 cubic feet, 21 to 23 bags of 1.5 ft³ against 26 to the brim. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Vegega U-shaped steel bed, 17 inches tall | Zn-Al-Mg coated steel, 0.6 mm panels, stainless steel screws Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. The opening between the arms is 3.5 ft wide, room to kneel inside. Filled to the brim the two take 29 and 40 bags of 1.5 ft³; at the 80 to 90% Vegega says is enough, 23 to 26 and 32 to 36. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Greenes Fence premium cedar beds, 2 × 4 to 4 × 12 ft | Untreated North American cedar, 3/4-inch boards and corner posts On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Each stated capacity is the size the bed is sold by times its wall height: the box filled to the brim. The 4 × 4 ft bed at 10.5 inches takes 10 bags of 1.5 ft³, the 4 × 12 ft at 14 inches 38. The 3 × 3 and 3 × 6 ft beds are two 5.5-inch boards high. Measure the inside after assembly. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Greenes Fence Classic cedar beds, 1/2-inch boards | Untreated American cedar, 1/2-inch boards Open to supporting ground | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. These are the same sizes and stated capacities as Greenes’ premium cedar beds, in 1/2-inch boards instead of 3/4-inch. Each capacity is the size the bed is sold by times its wall height, the box filled to the brim: the 4 × 8 ft bed takes 19 bags of 1.5 ft³ at 10.5 inches and 32 at 17.5 inches. Measure the inside after assembly. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Greenes Fence elevated cedar planters | Untreated North American cedar, with a fabric liner Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Greenes gives each planter’s inside size, so the soil answer is exact: the 2 × 4 ft planter holds 6.2 cubic feet at 9.6 inches deep, 5 bags of 1.5 ft³, or 4.8 cubic feet (4 bags) in the original cedar at 7.5 inches. For the 16 × 32 inch planter Greenes states 9.3 cubic feet, but its inside size holds about 2.8: two bags fill it. | 3 of 4 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Greenes Fence tiered cedar beds | Untreated North American cedar, 3/4-inch boards and corner posts On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Each stated capacity is the sections filled to the top of their walls: 16 bags of 1.5 ft³ for the 4 × 8 ft bed, 28 and 32 for the 4 × 12 ft beds and 50 for the cross. Plant the deepest-rooted crops in the tallest section. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Greenes Fence cedar U-shaped bed, 8 × 8 ft | Untreated cedar, 3/4-inch boards and 2.5-inch corner posts On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Filled to the brim, it takes 28 bags of 1.5 ft³; with 2 inches left empty at the top, 23. The 4 × 4 ft opening is room to kneel inside and reach both arms; the base is 4 ft deep, so you reach its middle from the front or from inside the U. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Greenes Fence cedar E-shaped bed | Untreated cedar, 3/4-inch boards and 2.5-inch corner posts On the ground; bottom not stated | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Filled to the brim, the 14 × 6 ft bed takes 31 bags of 1.5 ft³ and the 14 × 10 ft bed 45; with 2 inches left empty at the top, 25 and 36. At about 1.7 and 2.5 cubic yards full, a delivered load is worth a quote. Every part of the E is 2 ft wide, so you reach across it from one side, and cross boards divide it into boxes, 8 in the smaller bed and 11 in the larger: a box for each crop. | Measure the assembled outside footprint Setup and instructions |
| Gardener’s Supply self-watering elevated cedar planter | Cedar sides with powder-coated aluminum corners Raised floor | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Gardener’s Supply states 6 cubic feet of potting mix for the 2 × 4 ft box and 12 for the 2 × 8: 4 and 8 bags of 1.5 ft³. Use potting mix only; the maker excludes garden soil, topsoil, sand, clay and rocks. | 2 of 2 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Vego Foodcube self-watering bed | UV-stabilized food-grade plastic Floor over a water reservoir | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Vego states 11.7 cubic feet of soil for the Foodcube and 5.3 for the Slim: 8 and 4 bags of 1.5 ft³. The reservoir fills through a hole in the top. | 2 of 2 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
| Vego EZCube self-watering planter | Polypropylene liner in an ABS plastic shell Floor over a water reservoir | Assembly required; use the selected kit instructions. Vego states 2.8 cubic feet of soil for the 24-inch planter and 5.6 for the 48-inch: 2 and 4 bags of 1.5 ft³. A float shows the water level in the reservoir. | 2 of 2 configurations documented Setup and instructions |
Turn the choice into measurements
Use the selected product’s “Plan this size” action to carry that configuration into the garden planner and bed comparison. Check reachable width and working paths before ordering.
After assembly, measure the inside fill space separately from the outside footprint. The soil-volume calculator estimates quantity; the surface, crop needs and maker’s fill restrictions determine which growing medium belongs there.
Garden planner
Open the calculatorTry it with your numbers
Put in your own bed and the garden planner works out the answer as you type.
Open the garden plannerReferences
- Growing Vegetables in Raised Beds, University of Maryland Extension.
- Raised bed gardens, University of Minnesota Extension.
- Farmstead Cedar Raised Garden Beds, 4 ft, Gardener's Supply.
- Sustainable Raised Beds, Gardener's Supply.
- Black 3–4 Year Fabric, Root Pouch.