Garden Beds: The Perfect Green Gift for Nature Lovers

The holidays are coming up, and you might be wondering what to purchase for the gardener in the house. It can be difficult selecting an impactful gift when gardeners already own many of the tools that are recommended in gift lists. 

As gardening has evolved throughout the centuries, so have the methods for growing plants. The benefits of a raised garden bed have revolutionized gardening by making it accessible to all.

While a new pruning shear is an appreciated gesture, gifting a raised garden bed is one way to show that you really care. With a myriad of choices out on the market, raised garden beds are the perfect gift to foster the passion of gardening, whether for beginners or advanced gardeners.  

Tips for Choosing Raised Garden Beds

A garden bed is like a theatrical stage: it provides the base for a brilliant parade of color, where the flowers become show-stopping actors that garner applause. Although vegetable crops are predominately the focus of garden beds, many gardeners choose to incorporate colorful flowers and herbs for both practicality and aesthetic value. 

The clear delineations of the elevated edges of garden beds provide a neat and organized look to a garden while enhancing plant growth. Despite the overwhelming number of choices, not all garden beds are created equal. Here’s what you should consider when selecting a garden bed. 

• Correct material.  A casual search through creative sites reveals many low budget DIY tips for constructing garden beds, but not all are recommended or even safe. Recycled car tires may seem like a quaint way to upcycle, but they contain benzene, hydrocarbons, and other toxic substances that can leach into the soil and pose a threat to human health. Similarly, wooden beds can bow or rot, and painted wood can contain heavy metals that can contaminate your crops. Most professional gardeners will recommend metal beds, as they will last years and even decades. 

• Size. Many vegetable crops require a certain root depth to adequately hydrate and support themselves. 17" is sufficient for most common crops, though some vining plants such as cucumbers can require up to 18" inches deep. Fortunately, Vego Garden has a 32" extra tall garden bed that can accommodate larger vegetables with deep roots as well as those with shallower ones. The maximum width requirement should be four feet – any larger and you’ll not be able to reach the plants in the middle.   

• Appearance. Even if an attractive yard is not a primary concern, a nice-looking garden bed can certainly be value enhancing. Make the hobby of gardening a little more enjoyable by turning a stale vegetable patch into a more substantial focal point with Vego’s corrugated metal beds, which lends order to the space while still retaining the spirit of the landscape. 

• Cost. It’s true that metal raised garden beds are more expensive than other types, but they are worth the investment, lasting well beyond wooden beds. Many garden beds are on sale this time of the year, so don’t wait too long to get yours. 

Types of Sustainable Raised Garden Beds

Vego Garden Raised Beds are made from 100% recyclable metal and food-grade materials. All our products are designed with the Earth in mind, whether it’s giving back to the local community or partnering with local farms to promote sustainability. 

1. Self-Watering Rolling Planter 

Perfect for those who adore vibrant ornamentals, this self-watering rolling planter  gives you the opportunity to rearrange your garden layout whenever you wish. Part of the advanced beds category (choose the twin pack if you want two!), it features an innovative watering system that collects excess water and acts as a water reservoir, redistributing it over time. Its compact form makes it ideal for growing cheerful begonias, tropical Ti plants, and houseplants that have specific soil requirements. 

2. Elevated Self-Watering Rolling Planter Garden Bed 

For urban dwellers that lament their lack of space, the perfect solution is an elevated rolling planter, which is perfectly sized for apartment balconies. Unlike potted plants that you have to move one by one once the cold weather hits, this garden bed transports your plants inside all at once. It also offers a storage shelf for gardening supplies so you don’t have to go looking for them. 

3. Mini Garden Bed 

In this day and age, the term “short king” gets thrown around a lot. When it comes to garden beds, a shorter height does not mean reduced potential. At approximately half the cost of traditional raised beds, this miniature garden bed is a good choice for those that are more budget conscious. A great introduction for beginners, this 11" modular garden kit can support herbs, vegetables, and succulents. 

4. Cascading Garden Bed 

Cascading Metal Raised Garden Beds are the ideal way to display plants with various heights as well as root requirements. As with all Vego Garden Beds, there is no need to bend over, reducing strain on the back. The multi-tiered system is well suited for growing asparagus ferns, cascading Lysimachia, and other trailing plants. 

5. Herb Garden Bed

Beyond the sprawl of industrial concrete lies lush forests and symphonic swampland, full of tooth and scale. While herb gardens will never fully invoke the mystical landscape of a forest, they harken back to a time where men were more in tune with the natural world. This herb garden bed is cute and compact, great for containing aggressive herbs or invasive varieties. It’s also recommended for kids and beginners who may have trouble growing tougher plants. 

6. Special Shapes Garden Bed Collection 

For the serious gardener who’s dedicated to making their space a personal paradise, go big with the special shapes collection. From “L” shaped beds to those shaped like a heart, these beds are meant to stand out. They’re great for potager gardens because they emulate the elevated plantings of French chateaus. Situate multiple beds to present a spectacular focal point or position one near a corner to define space. Optimize growing space even further by pairing it with a trellis to grow vining crops.