Self-Watering Elevated Garden Bed

What is VZ 2.0?

Vego Garden metal raised beds are made from a Zinc, Magnesium, and Aluminum coated steel. We have combined this metal with our award-winning AkzoNobel paint to develop a new material which we call VZ 2.0. The first material of its kind, VZ 2.0's exceptional performance has been verified at the Texas A&M National Corrosion & Materials Reliability Lab. Durable and long-lasting, it provides superior performance and corrosion resistance under different environmental conditions.

What are the benefits of Aluzinc Steel compared to other materials?

Extreme Corrosion Resistance: Compared to wooden or plastic beds, Aluzinc is 7x more resistant to corrosion and rust, and 3-7x more resistant than regular galvanized steel. The corrosion rate (the thickness of the Aluzinc coating lost every year in normal environments) is a maximum of 20% of one micron (0.2 μm). Theoretically, the useful life of Aluzinc in normal environments is more than 100 years. In real life, Aluzinc has lasted more than 20 years in severe marine environments, though in the first year the coating loses up to 0.4 μm.

Superior Heat Reflection: Aluzinc Steel has superior Albedo capacity. Albedo is another name for reflectivity, a measurement of how much light that hits a surface is reflected without being absorbed. Research shows that soil in galvanized steel stays at an optimal and more even temperature when compared with wooden, concrete and dark plastic beds, which soak up summer sun during the day and stay hot into the night. Research also shows that galvanized steel beds have extra benefits of improved fruit set rate, blush color and maturity.

Incredibly High-Strength: The surface of Aluzinc is twice as hard as regular galvanized steel, and more than 5x harder than wood or plastic. With high wear resistance, Vego raised beds hold soil for decades without deforming.

No Soil Contamination: While treated wood and plastic degraded under extreme temperatures, Aluzinc material will not leach chemicals into plants or soil. This helps create the highest quality soil for organic gardening. 

100% Green and Recyclable Material: With a long useful life, steel is an environmentally-friendly material made using a "green process." Not only is it 100% recyclable, steel is also the world's most recycled material.

Will Vego Raised Beds overheat in extreme conditions?

Definitely not. Vego is made from VZ 2.0 coated steel, which has superior Albedo capacity. Albedo is another name for reflectivity, a measurement of how much light that hits a surface is reflected without being absorbed. Research shows that soil in galvanized steel stays at an optimal and more even temperature when compared with wooden, concrete, and dark plastic beds, which soak up summer sun during the day and stay hot into the night. Research also shows that galvanized steel beds have extra benefits of improved fruit set rate, blush color and maturity.

Is it safe to grow fruit in Vego Raised Beds?

Yes, absolutely. Vego Raised Beds are made from VZ 2.0 steel, which lasts for decades in extreme conditions. All materials used are 100% recyclable and manufactured by a "green process." It requires very high acidity to break down VZ 2.0 materials, and most garden soils are neutral, so there is little to no impact. Additionally, the metal materials are naturally found in soil, enhancing soil health.

Similar material has been widely used in water tanks, and VZ 2.0 steel is the most popular garden bed material in Australia.

How thick are Vego Raised Beds? Are they strong enough to hold soil?

Vego uses extra strength Aluzinc coated steel sheet in 0.6 mm thick. Different brands have different ways to define the gauge of thickness, please always ask them about the actual thickness before you make your purchase. This heavy-duty material is strong enough to hold soil for decades and has a lifespan 7x longer than wooden or plastic beds.

What are the benefits of VZ 2.0 Steel compared to other materials?

VZ 2.0 Steel is designed for long-lasting outdoor performance, offering excellent corrosion resistance, strength, and durability. Unlike wood, it won’t rot or require regular sealing, and compared with plastic, it provides greater structural strength and long-term stability. Its highly reflective surface also absorbs less heat in direct sunlight, while the durable coating helps protect the steel from the elements. VZ 2.0 Steel is also 100% recyclable, making it a durable, low-maintenance choice for raised bed gardening.

Are Vego Raised Beds safe for children and the elderly?

Vego is probably the safest garden raised bed on the market. It features an oval shape instead of the standard rectangular design to eliminate any sharp corners. Everything is smooth and safe. The top edges are rolled over, and we also include safety rubber strips for added security.

What is the safety edging cover? Do I have to install it?

The safety edging cover is a soft trim we provide for the top edge of our raised beds. It's a durable material that covers any exposed steel edges, eliminating safety hazards. Yes, you will need to install it. After your Vego raised bed is assembled, simply push the safety rubber edge onto the top edge.

How do I make customized sizes?

Each kit offers various possible configurations, and we further extend the possibilities with our extension kit. The Extension kit has panels, rods, and hardware to build extra long garden beds.

Can I buy extra corner pieces?

You can check out our Herb & Berry gardens, which are each made of 4 corner panels.

When will we have extension kits for Extra Tall beds?

Unfortunately, due to the complexity of extra tall beds, the easiest way to extend them is to purchase multiple sets, as we don't have pre-made extension kits for Extra Tall beds.

How do I assemble my Vego Raised Beds?

Assembling the beds is as simple as tightening up the bolts. Please pick your configuration and assemble your beds using the hand wrench included in the kit. There is no cutting or drilling required.

What kind of surface can I place the beds on?

You can put your Vego Raised Beds on any surface, including the grass, soil, concrete, pavers, or tiles. It is most recommended to place your Vego bed on top of grass or soil.

Can raised garden beds be placed on concrete?

Yes. Keep in mind that soil may stain the concrete. Lining the bottom of the bed with landscaping fabric can help contain the soil and reduce seepage onto the surface.

How do I fill a raised garden bed?

Calculate the soil volume from your bed dimensions, including any compost in the mix. The suggested mix is 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% potting soil. For a deep, open-bottom bed, the Hügelkultur method can help reduce the amount of purchased soil needed. Fill near the top, adjusting the level for your plants, and avoid tilling, which can dry out the soil. For filling methods, see https://vegogarden.com/blogs/academy/how-to-fill-raised-garden-beds-and-save-money.

What is the best raised garden bed?

When choosing a brand or type of raised garden bed, you should take into consideration the durability and longevity that you want for your bed. Vego Garden is the industry leading brand in modular metal garden beds, utilizing the best material and hardware in their designs and offering bigger and better choices than their competitors.

How do you make a Hugelkultur garden?

In the Hugelkultur method, large pieces of wood are laid at the bottom of the garden bed as they will take the longest time to decompose. Smaller pieces are placed on top of the larger pieces to fill space, such as branches and sticks, and then filled with grass clippings, leaves and kitchen scraps, while compost and topsoil consist of the top two layers. For more detailed information, refer to this article.

Is Aluzinc safe?

Our raised beds are safe to grow vegetables, fruits and other edible plants in. While treated wood and plastic degrade under extreme temperatures, Aluzinc steel will not leach chemicals into plants or soil. This helps maintain the highest quality soil for organic gardening. Aluzinc steel provides superior performance and corrosion resistance under numerous environmental conditions. The metal and paint used to construct our beds will not leach any harmful contaminants into the soil.

How do I fill a raised garden bed?

Calculate the soil volume from your bed dimensions, including any compost in the mix. The suggested mix is 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% potting soil. For a deep, open-bottom bed, the Hügelkultur method can help reduce the amount of purchased soil needed. Fill near the top, adjusting the level for your plants, and avoid tilling, which can dry out the soil. For filling methods, see https://vegogarden.com/blogs/academy/how-to-fill-raised-garden-beds-and-save-money.

Should I put rocks on the bottom of my garden bed?

You should avoid putting rocks in the bottom of your garden bed. A common myth is that this will improve drainage. Instead, this can actually increase water saturation levels as well as allow gravel to mix in with your soil, which can prove very difficult to remove later on.

Are metal or wooden raised garden beds better?

Although wood is a cheap, widely available material that is easy to customize, it lacks durability and longevity. Many treated wooden beds also contain chemicals that can leach into the soil. Although metal garden beds are pricier initially compared to wooden beds, they offer the best long-term solution and value for home gardeners. Our metal raised garden beds can last for as long as 20 years before needing replacement, and only require minimal maintenance.

Is it safe to grow vegetables in plastic containers?

Growing vegetables in plastic containers can be safe as long as you are able to identify the plastic as safe for growing food. Some plastics can leach harmful toxins into the soil, especially if exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods of time, making them unsafe for growing vegetables.

Is galvanized steel ok for a vegetable garden?

Galvanized steel is safe to use for a vegetable garden. Although it contains zinc, it does not leach into the soil in a way that may cause harm, which makes these beds completely safe to grow vegetables in. Besides, zinc is an essential micronutrient for plants and is a natural part of the soil.

How do you fill a raised bed cheaply?

From our experience, the Hugelkultur method is the easiest and most cost-efficient method to use. Hugelkultur is a method of layering organic materials such as rotted hay, branches, plant waste, and compost to the soil. You can easily fill a raised garden bed using materials lying around in your yard. As the organic matter decomposes, it breaks down into nutrient rich soil that mimics the natural soil found in a forest. You can refer to this article for more detailed information.

How many bags of soil do I need for a 4 x 8 raised garden bed?

Assuming that your raised garden bed is 17 inches tall, you need 45 cubic feet, or 1.2 cubic yards of soil. If there is 1.5 cubic feet per bag of soil, you would need 30 bags of soil. For more measurements regarding different configurations of your raised garden beds, check out this article.

What type of soil should I use for a raised vegetable garden?

The ideal soil type for raised beds is sandy loam, which is essentially soil that is loose, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. You can buy specialty bagged raised garden bed soil to fill your raised bed. You can also create your own raised garden bed soil by combining garden soil with potting soil, making sure to use more garden soil than potting mix, usually at a 5:1 ratio. Alternatively, you can try a soil blend of 50% topsoil, 30% compost, and 20% organic matter. When buying in bulk, you should try to purchase certified organic compost, as it ensures better quality. 

Can you put cardboard on the bottom of a raised garden bed?

You can line the bottom of your raised garden bed with cardboard and newspaper to deter pests and weeds. For best results, choose cardboard that has no tape and minimal markings, in order to minimize the amount of chemical substances. 

What is the difference between raised bed soil and potting soil?

Potting mix is a man-made material composed of natural substances, including decomposing bark, peat moss, minerals, and perlite. The main difference between garden soil and potting soil is the addition of topsoil, which makes garden soil heavier. Raised bed soil is a specific mixture of soil formulated for raised garden beds, containing the ideal balance between potting soil and garden soil. Potting mix is too light to be used in raised beds, while garden soil is too heavy. Raised bed soil possesses amazing drainage properties and provides gardeners with well-maintained loose soil that establishes a favorable environment for your plants. 

Can I paint on my bed?

Yes, you can paint on your bed!
Two important things to note: painting on your panels will nullify the warranty and if you do not seal the paint with a rust-resistant top coat then your bed may be more susceptible to corrosion. There are different options for what paint to use, so you should search up which paints work best for powder coated metal to decide which you prefer! Before you start painting, make sure you clean the surface and sand it lightly with fine grain sandpaper to make the surface easier for paint to grip to. Make sure you use a metal paint primer as a base and a rust-resistant final coat spray to seal everything in. Share pictures with us if you want, we'd love to see!

What should I put on the bottom of my garden bed?

You should put a layer of organic material at the bottom of your garden bed that will break down and enrich the soil. This can include compost, or woody material such as logs, dry wood, branches, and leaves. Organic material is the best option, as it improves drainage as well as enriches the soil as it breaks down, and does not need to be removed from your raised beds later.

How can I contact Vego Garden Customer Service?

You can call us at (866) 597-1888, use our online chat, or email hello@vegogarden.com. Our Customer Service team is available seven days a week from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST, except on holidays.

How quickly will Customer Service respond?

You can expect a response to emails or voicemails left outside business hours within 24 hours. We often respond more quickly during the workday. Our team provides support seven days a week.

When will my in-stock order ship?

In-stock items are usually prepared for shipment by the next business day and then scheduled for UPS or FedEx pickup. This is the preparation time, not the delivery time. If more than five business days have passed since you placed an order for an in-stock item and you have not received an update, please contact Customer Service at hello@vegogarden.com.

When will pre-order items ship?

The estimated fulfillment date is listed on the product page and in your order confirmation email. Please place a pre-order only if the expected wait time works for you.

When will an out-of-stock item be back in stock?

The estimated restock date will be listed on the product page when available. If no date is shown, please contact Customer Service for more information.

Do you ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or countries outside the U.S.?

Yes. Shipping to these destinations involves an additional shipping cost. Email hello@vegogarden.com with your address and order details, including the quantity, type, and color of the beds, so Customer Service can provide a shipping quote.

What if the package gets damaged during shipping?

Because of the weight of our packages, there may be some panels bent in transit if UPS/Fedex handle it in a rough way. No worries, you can fix this easily so your gardening isn't delayed. Our panels are manufactured through a bending process from flat steel coils, in other words, they were bent before. It will not affect the corrosion resistance to bend them back. It may be hard to bend all the panels at one time, but you can always bend them back one by one. Here is an instructional video you may find helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh3PWhQsFGI.