In the South, gardens are a defining feature of nearly every home’s landscape design. If you’re looking to enhance your backyard garden’s appearance or make it easier on your back to maintain, raised garden beds are the perfect solution!
Growing vegetables, herbs, and fruits in raised beds comes with numerous advantages compared to planting directly in the ground. One of the biggest benefits is that it’s easier on your back because less bending is required. Raised beds with a top trim or ledge are even better since you can comfortably sit on them while you harvest or tend to your plants. Raised beds are also visually appealing, adding beauty and organization to your garden space.
Additionally, raised garden beds are budget-friendly. You can create an inexpensive DIY raised bed using leftover wood, or you can purchase a ready-made kit from your local garden or supply store.
And the options don’t end there—you can choose from a variety of materials, styles, and extras to customize your raised bed, turning it into a charming feature of your garden. Here are 12 of our favorite raised garden bed ideas to inspire you!
Choose the Right Wood
“When building raised beds for our clients, we always recommend using untreated cedar wood, which lasts 7 to 10 years without rotting,” says Artarch. “Cedar wood also emits a natural scent that helps repel certain pests and is a sustainable choice for a vegetable garden. We coat the outside of the beds with juniper oil or a clear waterproof stain to protect against sun, rain, and snow.”
Although you may have heard that pressure-treated wood is the best option, Gala advises against it for organic gardens as it can leach chemicals into the soil.
Add Texture With Wicker
To elevate your garden’s aesthetics, consider experimenting with the texture of your raised beds, especially those growing herbs. Woven wicker baskets offer a rustic charm similar to wooden beds but with more visual depth.
Arrange for Visual Perfection
If you’re planning a larger garden, spacing out the beds will keep your garden neat and organized while preventing plants from becoming overgrown. You can also add gravel around the beds to improve drainage.
Blend With Your Surroundings
Raised garden beds surrounded by ornamental grass create a serene and tranquil setting in a small backyard courtyard. The dark green of the grass and hedge contrasts beautifully with light stone beds, forming a peaceful natural environment.
Grow More Than Vegetables
Who says raised garden beds are just for vegetables? Perennials can also thrive in raised beds, and their vibrant colors stand out beautifully against the garden bed’s stain. “When selecting a stain, always check that it’s food-safe, non-toxic, and non-VOC,” advises Artarch.
Add Ambiance
“If there’s one feature that can elevate your garden’s look, it’s lighting!” says Artarch. “Depending on your budget, you can add string lights, solar lights at the corners of the beds, post cap lights on fences, or hardwired LED lights.”
Artarch suggests gardeners plan ahead when installing hardwired LED lights so the wires remain hidden and the electrical boxes are positioned near the garden. “I like to place hardwired LED lights under the raised bed trim to keep them discreet while casting beautiful light below.”
Decorate a Privacy Hedge
Enhance the life, texture, and color of your privacy hedge (or screen) by arranging a few garden beds nearby. This approach adds visual interest with the contrast of wood grain and flower colors, while the hedge serves as a perfect “wall” to decorate!
Enjoy the Views
We love this cozy garden sitting area designed by Gala. Not only can the table be used for trimming flowers or examining your harvest, but it also doubles as a lovely spot for a quiet meal or a peaceful daytime reading session.
Build With Brick
Brick is another fantastic material for constructing raised garden beds (sorry, wood!). Bricks offer strength and durability to your garden, and they also enhance the aesthetic appeal since they come in a variety of colors and finishes that can be customized to your liking.
Create a Backyard Focal Piece
If you’re working with limited space or want to make a statement, consider creating one long raised bed as a focal point. In the design above, the bed is outlined with bricks, and the center is filled with plants that will soon be ready to harvest, making it the standout feature of the backyard.
Center With a Fountain
This backyard garden exudes tranquility. The symmetrical arrangement of the raised beds complements the central light stone fountain, while the dark stain of the wood beds highlights the fountain beautifully.
Play With Length and Shapes
Finally, experiment with the layout and design of your raised beds by varying their lengths and shapes. Extend the ends of longer beds or design L-shaped beds, like the homeowner did in the example above, to create more planting space and maximize the available area in your garden.
