For a steel bed that weathers to rust brown
Gardenary Corten Steel Raised Garden Beds
Open-bottom beds of 16-gauge corten steel, which weathers to a rust-brown patina: 40 × 40 in at 14 or 20 in tall, and 48 × 48 or 48 × 96 in at 16 in tall. Gardenary states no soil capacity.
4 sizes and layouts
Each size drawn from above at the same scale.
- Listed capacity
- Not stated
- Soil to fill it
- At most 9 bags of 1.5 ft³, filled to the brim
For a steel bed that weathers to rust brown
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.
- Style
- Open-bottom bed
- Material
- Corten (weathering) steel, 16-gauge panels
- Warranty
- None stated on the maker’s page
- Bottom
- Open to the ground
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 × 40 in, 14 in tall | 40 × 40 × 14 in | Not stated | At most 9 bags | Plan this size: 40 × 40 in, 14 in tall |
| 40 × 40 in, 20 in tall | 40 × 40 × 20 in | Not stated | At most 13 bags | Plan this size: 40 × 40 in, 20 in tall |
| 48 × 48 in, 16 in tall | 48 × 48 × 16 in | Not stated | At most 15 bags | Plan this size: 48 × 48 in, 16 in tall |
| 48 × 96 in, 16 in tall | 96 × 48 × 16 in | Not stated | At most 29 bags | Plan this size: 48 × 96 in, 16 in tall |
Notes on these sizes
- 40 × 40 in, 14 in tall: It weighs 62 lb, Gardenary says.
- 40 × 40 in, 20 in tall: It weighs 65 lb, Gardenary says.
- 48 × 48 in, 16 in tall: It weighs 130 lb, Gardenary says.
- 48 × 96 in, 16 in tall: It weighs 210 lb, Gardenary says.
What to plant in it
Four planting plans drawn to scale, a salad bed, a kitchen bed with herbs, tomatoes and peppers, and roots and onions, with every plant counted: 4 × 4 ft bed · 4 × 8 ft bed.
A 40 × 40 in bed is a little bigger than 3 × 3 ft, so the 3 × 3 ft planting plans fit inside it as drawn.
What comes in the box
Parts
- For the 40 × 40 × 14 in bed: 2 side panels, 2 end panels, 4 corner brackets and 24 screws
- For the 48 × 48 and 48 × 96 in beds: 4 side panels, 2 end panels, 4 corner brackets, 2 brace brackets, 1 brace and 38 screws
Tools you need
- A hex key for the screws
- A towel or blanket under the panels if you assemble on a hard surface
Before and while you build
- Screw a corner bracket inside each corner of both end panels, three screws a side, then screw the side panels to the brackets: the 40 × 40 × 14 in bed is then done.
- For the 48 × 48 and 48 × 96 in beds, the end panels and side panels make two U-shaped halves: join them in the middle with the brace brackets, then screw the brace across the inside.
- The boxes are heavy (the 48 × 96 in bed weighs 210 lb, Gardenary says), so have a helper to lift them.
- Gardenary’s assembly post lists the parts for three sizes; it does not cover the 40 × 40 × 20 in bed.
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. Check the required tools in the selected kit instructions.
- Prepare a stable, level position and confirm the outside footprint with working paths.
- Check corners, fasteners, protective edging and any layout-specific braces against the kit instructions before adding fill.
- 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 bed is open to the ground. Check the soil and drainage where it will sit before adding fill. Its wall height is not a prescription for how deep the growing mix should be.
Product specifications
- Gardenary's Corten Steel Raised Garden Beds, Gardenary