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Fabric grow bags or metal raised beds?

Fabric containers and coated steel raised beds compared on the sizes their makers publish and what each suits, with extension guidance on metal beds.

Which suits you

Fabric

Fabric suits small, movable plantings on a patio.

Metal

Metal suits a permanent bed with tall walls and room for a larger planting.

This compares what makers publish and what extension services say. It is not a test of any bed.

12 in24 in36 in7.58.510.2511.75121412151724262932FabricMetal
Every published height in each group, on one scale. The scale is in inches.

Side by side

MeasureFabricMetal
In our catalogue1 family, 7 sizes (Root Pouch)21 families, 135 sizes (Vego Garden, Birdies, Metal Garden Beds, Tarter, Best Choice Products, Garden In Minutes, Epic Gardening)
Published heights7.5 to 14 in12 to 32 in
Stated soil capacity0.1 to 1.4 cubic feet4.8 to 96 cubic feet
Sizes, as publishedContainers of 0.1 to 1.4 cubic feet in the range we listWalls of 12 to 32 in, in several layouts per kit
Moving itMovable when empty; its maker gives sizes by fill volumeA fixed bed once filled
Notes from extension servicesNone specific to fabric containersZinc may leach only below pH 5; some metal beds sold online have been found to contain lead (University of Minnesota Extension)

See the beds

References