Comparison of Cedar, Recycled Plastic, and Composite Raised Garden Boxes
Published on April 9, 2014
Written by Greg Seaman
Raised garden beds have gained popularity among gardeners for their numerous benefits, and cedar raised beds stand out for their durability, strength, and natural aesthetics. Here's a closer look at the advantages of using cedar raised garden beds.
Why Choose Cedar Raised Garden Beds?
Cedar's natural oils make it highly resistant to rot and decay, ensuring a long lifespan compared to many other woods. The sturdy construction of cedar beds, often featuring rust-proof steel rods or crossbars, guarantees strength and stability, preventing bowing and loose corners.
The appealing natural colour and texture of cedar enhance garden beauty while blending well with plants. Cedar is also considered safe for vegetable gardening, as it does not leach harmful chemicals.
Cedar beds come in various sizes and shapes, including rectangular and L-shaped configurations, which fit different garden layouts and spaces. Kits with interlocking planks and corner pins simplify building and allow stacking boards to adjust the height from 11 to 33 inches.
Best Practices for Using Cedar Raised Garden Beds
Choosing the appropriate size and height is crucial. Beds should be about 4 feet wide for reachability without soil compaction, and the soil depth for crops can be adjusted by stacking boards. Beds can be placed on soil or hard surfaces like patios, with corner pins used to secure and support the structure.
Controlling weeds before installation is essential. A weed barrier, such as a black plastic sheet, can be laid on the ground where the bed will sit to reduce weed growth beneath the bed. Using quality soil mix and planning the bed layout thoughtfully can also maximise garden space and plant health.
Variety of Raised Garden Bed Options
In addition to cedar, there are other types of raised garden beds available, including Composite and Farmstead. The Mini Greenhouse Kit is available for smaller raised garden beds, although the sizes it is designed for are not specified.
Some raised garden beds are deer-proof, but the article does not mention this feature for the Farmstead raised garden beds. There are options for L-Shaped raised garden beds, although whether they come with a greenhouse cover is not stated.
Sizes for the raised garden beds vary, with options like 3 x 6, 4 x 8, 4 x 12 x 12, 8 x 8, and 8 x 8 x 20 inches available. The sizes for the Farmstead raised garden bed are not explicitly stated in the article.
Overall, cedar raised garden beds offer a long-lasting, strong, and attractive foundation for gardening with multiple configurability options, enhancing plant health and gardener convenience.
- Incorporating a cedar raised garden bed in a home-and-garden project can promote a sustainable living lifestyle by providing a strong, durable, and visually pleasing space for gardening, promoting garden beauty and vegetable safety.
- The versatility of cedar raised garden beds allows for various sizes, shapes, and configurations, such as rectangular and L-shaped gardens, making them adaptable to different home-and-garden layouts and spaces.
