PLANTERS & RAISED BEDS

Growing in a container or a raised bed beats growing in the ground in most Canadian yards: the soil warms earlier, drains after a wet spring, and you choose what is in it instead of fighting clay or a tree's roots. The range here comes from Miracle-Gro, Arrow and ShelterLogic; current prices are shown in the list below.

Nearly all of it is raised garden beds — galvanized metal and wood, 2' x 4' up to 4' x 8', from about 11 in. deep for salad and herbs to 17 in. and more for carrots, potatoes and tomatoes. Start there; it is where the range is.

Go to: Raised garden beds · Modern planters · Greenhouses · Plant support and protection · Metal vs wood raised beds

Planters and raised beds FAQ

A raised bed or a planter?

A raised bed if you are growing food: the footprint gives roots room to spread sideways and the soil volume holds moisture through a hot week. A planter for a patio, a balcony or anything you want to move — smaller soil volume, so it waters more often.

How much soil will I need?

Length × width × depth in feet gives cubic feet; divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 4 x 8 ft bed at 11 in. deep takes roughly 30 cu ft, about eight 4 cu ft bags. Use garden soil mixed with compost, not pure potting mix, which drains too fast in a large bed.

Is galvanized metal safe for vegetables?

Yes. The zinc coating is stable at garden soil pH and what migrates into the soil is negligible. Metal also warms faster in spring, which is the main reason to choose it in Canada.

Do they come apart for winter?

No need. Metal and treated-wood beds stay in place year-round; top the soil up with compost in the fall, since a bed settles a few inches each season.

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