Cedar Complete Raised Garden Bed Kit - 8' x 8' x 20" (2024)

FAQs

Is cedar good for raised garden beds? ›

Cedar lumber is often used in constructing raised beds. It offers a natural resistance to rot and insects. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is very rot resistant and will last for years even when in contact with soil. However, the wood is very dense and can be hard to work with.

Building a Raised Bed from Lumber

Most raised beds are constructed from lumber. Pine and other framing lumber will last about 4 to 5 years, while more expensive cedar will hang together for 8 to 10 years. Don't use redwood, which is an endangered species.

Raised garden bed lining isn't mandatory to have healthy growing plants. But adding raised garden bed lining does provide benefits. Many experienced gardeners recommend lining raised beds for these reasons: It provides insulation for the soil and helps control temperature fluctuations.

1 – 2 x 2 x 6 cedar board.

Avoid using older types of wood treatments such as CCA, creosote, and Penta-treated lumber. Research from Oregon State University showed that pressure-treated lumber does increase soil copper concentrations by a minor amount, but only within 1 inch of the raised-bed edge.

The best raised bed materials are cedar and redwood.

Pine is a cheaper alternative to more expensive types of wood and easy to find in most hardware stores. Keep in mind, however, that pine will have a much shorter life expectancy in your garden than cedar and redwood. Even within wood types, know that there can be some variation.

On average, a DIY raised bed constructed from wood will cost $25 to $50 per square foot. To have a wooden raised bed constructed and installed for you, budget for at least $100 per square foot. (Find a kitchen garden company in your area.) These costs are for the thickest pieces of wood you can afford.

Option #1 – No Treatment or Stain

Oils naturally occurring in cedar help the wood resist rot and deter pests like termites. This helps cedar last longer than other woods when exposed to the elements. If left untreated, you'll notice a few changes to your garden box.

Landscape fabric is beneficial for raised garden beds, here are just a few of the many reasons why you should use landscape fabric for raised bed gardening: Prevents soil erosion in a raised bed: As a liner, landscape fabric lets water drain away from the soil while leaving the soil intact.

What should I put at the bottom of a raised garden bed? ›

To put it simply, you should put a layer of organic material at the bottom of your garden bed, which will break down and enrich the soil. This can include compost, or woody material such as logs, dry wood, branches, and leaves.

What is the best material to line a planter? Plastic sheeting is the best material for lining a planter with.

A 12-inch raised bed is a great minimum height for growing lots of delicious plants in the kitchen garden. If you want to grow larger vining plants like tomatoes, squash, or zucchini—plants that sprawl and tend to draw a lot of nutrients from the soil as they grow—you might move closer to an 18-inch raised bed.

I made this one out rough sawn, untreated cedar. Whatever lumber you make yours out of I would definitely recommend that you use untreated wood so no chemicals can leach into the soil. Cedar is a great outdoor wood and should hold up for many years.

The safest wood to use for vegetable container gardens is cedar. It resists rot and lasts a long time, but it is pricey. You can safely use other kinds of untreated hardwood to build raised beds, but your project will rot and warp in a few years, depending on the wood.

He stated in a bulletin titled, Treated Wood in Raised Bed Gardening, “Scientific evidence and data have shown that using pressure treated wood for raised bed or box gardening is safe to adults and children in terms of the plants grown and used in these containers.” He further explains, “All chemicals in consumer ...

Cedar is a non-toxic wood, making it safe for growing edible plants and vegetables. Unlike chemically treated woods, cedar planters won't leach harmful substances into the soil, ensuring that your homegrown produce remains free from any potential contaminants.