For a long, narrow steel bed in a fixed size
Metal Garden Beds CUADRA, EXACTO and FRESA
Three fixed sizes of one 17-inch galvanized steel bed: 3 ft 4 in square, 8 ft 6 in long and 13 ft 4 in long, all 3 ft 4 in wide.
3 sizes and layouts
Each size drawn from above at the same scale, with the maker’s listed capacity.
- Listed capacity
- 44 ft³
- Soil to fill it
- 30 bags of 1.5 ft³
For a long, narrow steel bed in a fixed size
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.
- Style
- Open-bottom bed
- Material
- Hot-dip galvanized steel (ASTM A653 CS-B), 23-gauge sidewalls and 18-gauge corners
- 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.
Metal Garden Beds doesn’t publish inside measurements or an outside size for these beds, so the soil figure below is the maker’s own stated capacity. If you’ll fill it less deep, measure between the inside walls once it’s built.
| Size or layout | Advertised size | Listed capacity | Bags of 1.5 ft³ for that capacity | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUADRA · 3 ft 4 in × 3 ft 4 in | 40 × 40 × 17 in | 18 ft³ | 12 bags | Plan this size: CUADRA · 3 ft 4 in × 3 ft 4 in |
| EXACTO · 8 ft 6 in × 3 ft 4 in | 102 × 40 × 17 in | 44 ft³ | 30 bags | Plan this size: EXACTO · 8 ft 6 in × 3 ft 4 in |
| FRESA · 13 ft 4 in × 3 ft 4 in | 160 × 40 × 17 in | 70 ft³ | 47 bags | Plan this size: FRESA · 13 ft 4 in × 3 ft 4 in |
Notes on these sizes
- CUADRA · 3 ft 4 in × 3 ft 4 in: Stated 18 cu ft; the published length × width × height is 15.7 cu ft.
- EXACTO · 8 ft 6 in × 3 ft 4 in: Stated 44 cu ft; the published length × width × height is 40.1 cu ft.
- FRESA · 13 ft 4 in × 3 ft 4 in: Stated 70 cu ft; the published length × width × height is 63 cu ft.
What to plant in it
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. A 40 × 102 in bed is a little bigger than 3 × 8 ft, so the 3 × 8 ft planting plans fit inside it as drawn. Each has four plans, from a salad bed to roots and onions, with every plant counted.
Questions about this bed
Does it have a bottom?
No. Under it, Metal Garden Beds suggests the carton the bed ships in, which is plain and unprinted, as a weed barrier, or landscape fabric. Liners and barriers compared.
How does it go together?
With the nuts, bolts and corners in the box: hand-tighten the bolts first, then finish with a wrench or pliers, Metal Garden Beds says. The instructions are in a packet on the outside of the carton, near the address label, and the panels go in with the folded top edge up.
Can I fill the bottom with something cheaper?
Yes, under shallow-rooted plants: Metal Garden Beds suggests firewood, logs or stones in the bottom half, and the full depth of soil for plants with deep roots. Soil for the top half is 9, 22 and 35 cubic feet in the CUADRA, EXACTO and FRESA: 6, 15 and 24 bags of 1.5 cubic feet instead of 12, 30 and 47. Filling a deep bed for less.
Can I make it longer?
Yes: the sizes are fixed, but Metal Garden Beds sells extenders that lengthen a bed to fit your space.
Can I make it taller?
Not the bed itself: Metal Garden Beds keeps to 17 inches, the height it finds most practical. For more height it suggests building a rectangular stone or masonry base and setting the bed on top.
Can I paint it?
Yes: Metal Garden Beds says to use a metal primer first, from the top down, let it dry, then a metal paint of the same brand.
Can I cover it?
Yes, with hoops: Metal Garden Beds suggests flexible PVC pipe cut to length, bent over and pushed deep into the soil along the inside walls, with plastic sheeting over it in winter and shade cloth in summer. Work out the hoops and the cover.
Metal Garden Beds’ answers, from its questions page.
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.
Choose a reachable widthMeasure for a soil orderCompare the cost of building one