For a metal planter on a deck, balcony or patio
Gardenary Aluminum Raised Bed
A powder-coated aluminum planter with drainage holes in its floor, in four sizes: 46 × 16 in, 16 in tall; 46 × 20 in, 20 in tall; and 20- and 16-inch cubes. Locking casters, an option, add 3 inches to its height.
4 sizes and layouts
Each size drawn from above at the same scale.
- Listed capacity
- Not stated
- Soil to fill it
- At most 5 bags of 1.5 ft³, filled to the brim
For a metal planter on a deck, balcony or patio
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.
- Style
- Planter with a floor
- Material
- Powder-coated aluminum, with a floor
- Warranty
- None stated on the maker’s page
- Bottom
- Contained planter
Planning a balcony, deck or roof garden? Have the surface assessed for the filled weight before buying the planter. Its own load rating does not establish what the surface can carry. Work out the filled weight for whoever checks it.
Choose the size or layout
Use the widest outside footprint to plan paths. For a soil order, measure between the inside walls after assembly and choose your filled depth; advertised dimensions can be rounded. Rectangular sizes below read length × width × height.
Gardenary doesn’t publish inside measurements, an outside size or a soil capacity for these beds. Measure between the inside walls once it’s built before you order soil.
| Size or layout | Advertised size | Listed capacity | Bags of 1.5 ft³, filled to the brim | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 × 16 in, 16 in tall | 46 × 16 × 16 in | Not stated | At most 5 bags | Plan this size: 46 × 16 in, 16 in tall |
| 46 × 20 in, 20 in tall | 46 × 20 × 20 in | Not stated | At most 8 bags | Plan this size: 46 × 20 in, 20 in tall |
| 20 × 20 in, 20 in tall | 20 × 20 × 20 in | Not stated | At most 4 bags | Plan this size: 20 × 20 in, 20 in tall |
| 16 × 16 in, 16 in tall | 16 × 16 × 16 in | Not stated | At most 2 bags | Plan this size: 16 × 16 in, 16 in tall |
Where the maker’s figures disagree
- Gardenary’s page calls the planter aluminum in its title and throughout, but its feature list reads “Powder-coated aluminum, 16-gauge steel container”.
Measure the inside of the assembled bed before ordering soil.
Prepare and assemble this bed
Compare the material, bottom and care choices if you are still deciding between families. Follow the site preparation and liner checklist for the supporting surface.
- Choose the exact configuration and lay out its parts. Gardenary’s page does not say how it goes together, so check the parts and any instructions in the box.
- Prepare a stable, level position and confirm the outside footprint with working paths.
- Check the floor and its drainage holes before adding soil. Confirm the surface beneath the planter for the filled load.
- Measure the finished inside and outside separately, then update your plan. Preserve the maker’s fill restrictions.
Mark the outside footprint on the ground before assembly, including any legs or protruding corners. Leave a route for carrying bags, reaching the plants and maintaining nearby beds.
This planter has a floor and stands on the ground, so its soil can be no deeper than its height. Measure inside once it’s built before ordering soil, and account for drainage and the filled weight when choosing a level location.