It is time we treat you to a quick rundown of some of the best raised garden bed ideas that are sure to breathe new life into your green spaces. The beauty of raised beds is that they allow you to break up linear spaces in a way that adds natural focal points without you feeling like you are trying to force things. Raised beds are an excellent alternative to planting in garden soil, so read on as we explore why.
Tips to get you started
Our ideas and tips are designed to give you a whole host of new sparks of inspiration that you may wish to go and explore. Do not feel any pressure to work through all of these raised bed gardens, some will love reusing pallets and tyres and others may look for something different.
Not only are we going to show you that here at Shedstore we can help with a lot more than garden sheds, but we are also going to guide you through the fine details. All you have to do now is keep reading for a couple of minutes while we tell you everything we need to know. And if you need a helping hand, our experts are always easy to connect with over the phone or online.
In-ground gardens vs. raised garden beds
When we started to think of our list of raised garden bed ideas, we realised we had to first figure out why you would want to go to all this work.
Not sure? Here is a summary:
- Raised garden edging ideas - add variety and a whole host of new materials to your outdoor space
- Edging details – use as ad hoc seating that makes the space so much more casual
- Multiple focal points - gardens that break up their in-ground flowers will feel like they have multiple focal points without feeling cluttered
Each one of these adds to the bigger picture, allowing you to create a space in which everything just seems to fit together naturally. The end result is a space that is cosy, inviting, and homely all at the same time. Ideal when you want to be able to create a garden that instantly makes you feel at home.
1) Built-in raised garden beds
Just like the best storage solutions feel like a natural extension of the wider space, so do most raised beds. The built-in approach is all about making sure that your garden feels like it fits naturally with the new focal point.
The key here is to make sure that the depth of the built-in bed extends by 1.5 times the typical root depth of the plants you want to populate it with. That way you will make sure there is plenty of room for growth and also the correct amount of soil mixture for drainage. While it may be tempting to take a shortcut here, we can tell you from experience that the key lies in the preparation. Take a little extra time and it will be well worth it.
2) Animal feeding troughs
We have also produced a range of raised garden bed ideas that have something of a rustic look and feel about them. Go to salvage yards and scrap yards and you will come across a beautiful metal feeding trough sooner rather than later. Farmers get rid of these chunky additions all the time, and that means they are in a plentiful supply once you know where to look.
Deck it out with annuals and bedding soil while making sure to backfill with pebbles for drainage and you will be able to create something truly unique. You will also want to make sure there are small water drainage holes every couple of inches along the centreline of the base of the trough. Soil conditions are important, there is nothing worse than waterlogged plants!
3) Border raised beds
Perhaps our favourite of all on this list! We love the idea of seeing you take a break from working in one of our garden offices to pace around the garden with a coffee, all so you can take in the beautiful blossoms that are flourishing off to the side.
Using raised beds around the sides of your garden helps to border the main lawn or patio area, all so you can create a sense of connection with the natural world. Get the ratio of flat surface to raised surface right and you will be able to set the tone for a space that feels so much bigger and more engaging than it did before you started your project.
4) Brick and cobblestone
Our raised garden bed ideas are about to take something of a countryside turn in terms of style and finish. We really love the idea of uneven cobblestones or mix-and-match red bricks being used to bring your raised bed to life. There are so many different ways to do it that you will soon find you have everything you need to create a space you love.
One of the most timeless ways to approach things is to create a raised bed that is five bricks high and whose front has a gentle curve that flows down the side of your garden. You can really create something of a countryside charm by choosing red bricks that mimic those in the traditional walled gardens of British country houses.
5) Cinder blocks
For those looking for raised garden edging ideas on a budget, cinder blocks are a straightforward way to get started. They are durable, readily affordable, and easy to work with. We would also recommend a quick look at our fence buying guide if you are considering undertaking other work at the same time. Doing so will allow you to create a whole host of new additions in a way that is sure to last.
While some choose to render over the top of cinder blocks, others paint directly onto them. There is really no right or wrong way to approach this one, so take your time and do whatever feels right given the aesthetics of the rest of your outdoor space. Follow this approach and you will never go wrong.
6) Integrated seating
A wonderful fact about exploring a whole host of new raised garden bed ideas is that you will soon come across dual-purpose additions. Having a raised bed that has a seat recessed into it will allow you to create a more prominent focal point without sacrificing too much space. After all, the last thing you want is a beautiful garden that is all style and no substance.
A simple backless bench is all it takes to really bring the bed to life, and it can be easier to create than you might think. Start by choosing the height and position of the bench and then build the planter out from there. You will find this much easier than retrofitting a seat into a planter.
7) Old baths
Perhaps you are not quite convinced by some of our ideas just yet? Never fear, a touch of genuine rustic style is here! Being able to fire up the BBQ while your guests take in the rest of the garden is one of life’s true joys. Making an old bath part of the picture will allow you to create a space in which everything just feels like it fits.
A few chips and spider lines in the enamel will only add to the character and unique look, all while giving you something that is sure to complete the picture. Ideal if you want to be able to create a space in which everything feels like it has evolved naturally over the years.
8) Old tyres
Making your garden feel like a cosy little extension of the rest of the home is what this latest bright idea is all about. Just like you can bring the garden to life with wooden playhouses and summer houses that have a playful element, tyres also have something of a fun novelty about them. By turning one person’s junk into your own piece of treasure, you can set the tone for a space that is all about having fun.
The wonderful thing about old tyres is that they are easy to come by, completely portable, and naturally modular. Simply stack them as high as the root depth of your plants require and backfill them with pebbles before topping them up with fresh compost. Ideal when you want the perfect afternoon DIY project.
9) Reuse pallets as raised beds
If you are looking for more raised garden bed ideas that are built around upcycling junk, reusing pallets is a fantastic way to approach things. Thousands of wooden pallets are broken up and dumped every single day in the UK, and all when they could easily be put to better use elsewhere. If you want to play your own part in making the UK greener, this could be just what you need.
Measure out your bed’s footprint and figure out how deep it needs to be based on the root depth of the plants you want to see growing there. Once you know this, it will be obvious how many pallets you need to have ready and waiting. Now it is up to you to start sourcing pallets from a couple of local businesses.
10) Using grow bags
If you are busy building one of our traditional log cabins and decide that you want a few statement additions on either side to provide balance, grow bags provide the perfect foundation. The nutrient-rich soil and ability to move them into any part of the garden with ease, which is perfect for growing food.
Some savvy gardeners do nothing more than build a small wall or wooden fence around their bags to create a border. The result is a raised bed that allows you to highlight key greenery but never asks you to spend a whole weekend digging out and levelling up.
Raised garden bed FAQs
You asked and we answered! Keep reading to find answers to three commonly asked questions as we guide you through everything you need to know about raised beds.
1) What do you put on the bottom of a raised garden bed?
Nearly all our raised garden bed ideas will require you to think about drainage so that the soil does not become waterlogged. Backfilling with pebbles of diverse sizes is the best way to approach this as it will allow the water to gradually filter out so that it does not start pooling.
2) How deep should a raised garden bed be for vegetables?
You can use many of our raised garden bed ideas for growing vegetables. It is important with a vegetable garden that the root depth is correct. Any packet of seeds will guide you through the correct depth for ideal growth. This is particularly important with root vegetables, but most vegetables need 1-2 feet to get them growing. Any less and you will be stunting their growth.
3) How can I make raised garden beds cheaply?
Our raised garden edging ideas are designed to cater to all budgets because we know that sometimes it is just a matter of getting started. If you can get any of these for next to nothing from a scrap yard or local farmer, you could make your own DIY raised garden bed:
- Bath
- Railway sleepers
- Scaffold boards
- Trough
If you want to go with the grow bag idea, you will find that it is very budget friendly.
Concluding thoughts
Raised bed ideas offer endless possibilities for a truly special and practical outdoor space. By combining raised bed styles with clever features like wooden raised beds, concrete blocks and stock tanks you can create beds to suit your garden’s style and practical needs.
Whether you are planting root veggies in deep beds or shallow ones with flowers, each option gives you the flexibility to tailor your garden to your lifestyle. With raised garden bed ideas, you can mix and match textures and materials like natural stone, pressure treated timber or even wooden pallets to add visual interest.
The practical benefits of better drainage and more room to grow veggies or edible plants make these designs suitable for experienced and beginner gardeners alike. For those with mobility issues raised bed gardens make gardening more accessible so everyone can enjoy growing their own plants. Add string lights or large stones to take the design to the next level and create balance and visual interest. By including raised garden edging ideas in your project, you will have a clean and functional finish that ties everything together.
Contact us
Discover how Shedstore can bring your garden dreams to life with expert advice and solutions tailored to your needs. Whether you are exploring raised garden bed ideas, enhancing your garden design, or looking to create good soil conditions for growing vegetables, we are here to help. From building raised beds to selecting other materials like pressure treated timber or concrete blocks, our team is ready to guide you step-by-step.
Our contact details are:
- Phone – call 0333 003 0518
- Emails – our contact form can be used to send emails
- Live Chat – our friendly team can be contacted quickly using live chat. This can be accessed when you click the green icon at the bottom left of any screen
