As I started planning my garden this year, I knew I wanted to finally add some raised beds to my yard. Like any aspiring gardener, my first thought was to make them myself. How hard could it be to screw some wood together, right?
But then I sat down and priced the materials. By the time I add in the cost of even the most basic lumber and those handy metal or brick corner pieces, my “budget DIY” would cost a small fortune. I quickly realized that building them from scratch would actually be much more expensive than just buying them pre-made.
So I officially ditched my hardware store shopping list and started looking for ready-to-use options that wouldn’t blow my entire gardening budget before I even bought the soil. If you’re looking to expand your grow space without breaking the bank, save yourself the hassle. From galvanized metal to smart fabric choices, here are the nine budget picks raised beds I have found that they are actually cheaper than buying the raw materials.
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Elegant metal & galvanized steel
Metal is having a major moment in garden design right now. These are budget friendly metal raised beds they are incredibly sturdy, weather resistant and completely eliminate the rotting problems that eventually happen with DIY wooden beds.
WORKPRO
3-pack round raised bed set
This WORKPRO set has excellent corrosion protection, which is exactly what you want when investing in metal garden beds. It looks beautifully industrial, holds a huge amount of soil and is designed to survive the harshest summer heat without warping.
SnugNiture
2 Pack oval raised beds
Arlmont & Co
Kymari Raised Garden Bed
I’m obsessed with clean, contemporary lines and neutral tones of this Arlmont & Co. bed. It comes in several different sizes so you can perfectly customize your garden layout, and the galvanized finish means it will withstand April showers without breaking a sweat.
Sol 72 Outdoor
Raised galvanized Evelin bed
If you want to trick your neighbors into thinking you hired one landscape professionalthis is the bed for you. It looks like an expensive custom piece of landscaping, but it goes together effortlessly and saves you a huge headache at the hardware store.
Coast guard
2pcs galvanized raised beds
These Land Guards plant fantastic, affordable entry points in galvanized raised beds. They have tons of great reviews, look incredibly stylish, and cost significantly less than buying raw sheet metal to make your own.
Nana Guard
Large galvanized raised bed
Leave it to Walmart to deliver an incredibly affordable, large-scale metal garden bed. If you have a lot of space to fill and want to set up an expander kitchen garden without breaking the bank, this big silver kit is an absolute steal.
Raised beds made of wood & fabric
If you’re not into the industrial look of metal, these three affordable options give you the warmth of wood and the incredible comfort of fabric without the expensive DIY price tag.
Freeport Park
Iglesias Wood raised bed
If you’ve had your heart set on the traditional aesthetic of the wooden raised bed but suffered from a lumber sticker, this Wayfair find is your answer. It gives you that beautiful, rustic wood frame without the hassle of measuring, cutting and drilling your own heavy boards.
VIVOSUN
Grow Bag Raised Bed
If you want the absolute cheapest way to start a raised garden, cloth air pruning bags it’s a huge secret. This fabric bed sets up in seconds and features eight split grids, making it absolutely perfect for square foot gardening. In addition, the breathable fabric ensures that the roots of your plants receive plenty of oxygen and excellent drainage.
VEIKOUS
Cedar Rolling Raised Bed
This raised cedar planter is an absolute dream because it brings your garden up to waist height — no bending or kneeling required! It gives you that great, classic cedar look for a fraction of the cost of raw wood, and the locking wheels mean you can easily roll it around your yard to chase the afternoon sun.
