Raised beds are popular for vegetables and small gardens.
The frame is only part of the cost — filling them is often more.
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Frame materials
- ✿Treated softwood — cheap, lasts several years
- ✿Hardwood or sleepers — longer-lasting
- ✿Galvanised metal — modern look, long life
- ✿Brick or stone — permanent, most expensive
- ✿Recycled plastic — rot-proof
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Filling costs
Topsoil and compost can cost more than the frame. Fill the bottom with logs, branches, or turf to reduce volume needed.
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Height matters
Taller beds are easier on backs but need more fill.
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Save money
Use reclaimed timber, buy soil in bulk, and make your own compost.
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Building your own
DIY raised beds are straightforward with basic tools. Use untreated or safely treated timber for growing food, line the inside with permeable membrane to prolong life, and secure corners with posts. Beds around 1.2 metres wide let you reach the middle from either side. Ready-made kits save time but often cost more per bed.
This is general landscaping and garden information, not professional advice. Costs, regulations, and plant suitability vary by location. Call before you dig to locate buried utilities, and consult a licensed landscaper or engineer for retaining walls, drainage, and structural work.