Wood Raised Beds Are an Investment

Even though wood raised beds are often considered the budget option, they'll still cost you a pretty penny. When I first started my kitchen garden business back in 2015, I could put in a cedar raised bed for a client for $300. Now, the lumber alone costs me twice that much.

Don't get me wrong—raised beds will be worth every penny you spend on them. You'll have a beautiful and productive space that's enjoyable to tend. So with that in mind, let's look at 5 ways to make your raised beds last longer so you can enjoy them for years to come.

Buy the Best Materials for Your Wood Raised Beds

The first way to make your raised beds last longer is to start with the best materials you can afford. I know we all have different budgets, so that's why I always tell people to go as nice as you can manage. You can always add more plants or trellises later, but it's really hard to start again with a raised bed. So don't cut costs on your raised bed materials.

That means buying the thickest wooden boards you can afford. I typically recommend 2"-thick boards. If your budget can really stretch, 4"-thick boards will last decades.

Also, prioritize wood that's naturally durable like cedar, redwood, juniper, or ironwood. If a wood type is used for outdoor furniture, that's a good clue that it's rot-resistant.

If your budget only covers an inexpensive bed at Home Depot or pine lumber, that's fine. You'll still get a couple years of enjoyment out of that bed before it needs to be replaced.

Prep the Wood Boards Before You Construct Your Raised Beds

Use an eco-friendly wood treatment for your raised beds before assembly. These treatments seal the fibers of the wood so that they don't let in more moisture and deteriorate over time. My favorite treatment is the mineral-based Eco Restore Wood Treatment we sell in the Gardenary Shop, but you can also use linseed oil, tung oil, or another natural sealant.

Do this before you construct the bed so that you can coat every edge with the sealant.

Read more about how to seal and protect wood raised beds.

Add Trim to Your Wood Raised Beds

I highly recommend adding wood trim on the corners and the top of the raised bed. That way, you won't have as many open edges that have been cut exposed to the elements. You can buy thinner pieces of lumber for the trim and then replace as needed.

This makes such a difference in longevity that a raised bed manufacturing company I've worked with even insures their raised beds with trim for longer than the beds without trim.

Place Your Wood Raised Beds on a Dry Surface

I recommend putting your raised beds on gravel instead of letting them sit on grass, soft earth, or even mulch. Not only does gravel dry quickly, it allows water to drain quickly, which means the bottom of your raised beds won't be up against wet material for too long.

Furthermore, placing your beds on gravel means you don't have to worry about edging or mowing around your raised beds and damaging the sides or throwing wet grass into the beds. Your raised beds also won't be sprayed every time you water your grass.

I'm sure you've seen tons of beautiful raised beds on grass, but I'm telling you, if you really want your raised beds to last as long as possible, put them on gravel.

Keep the Kitchen Garden Area Clean

The garden space is filled with things that are breaking down: soil, dropped fruit, fallen leaves. Once a week, come out and clean up any debris in the space around your raised beds. You want to allow as few natural materials touch the wood as possible. It's such a simple task, but it's highly effective in preserving your wood.

Enjoy Your Wood Raised Beds for Years Longer!

At the end of the day, wood raised beds are made of natural materials, which means they're constantly degrading. The wood you use to build your raised beds has already started the process of decomposing and eventually turning back into earth. Our goal is to slow that process. Protect our investment.

And we do that by following these 5 tips. If you buy the best material possible, seal it, add trim, put your beds on gravel, and keep your garden space clean, your raised beds should last at least 5 to 10 years, if not 20. The first raised beds I set up for my clients back in 2015 following these tips are still growing strong today.

I hope your raised beds bring you a decade or more of enjoyment!