Pros And Cons Of Metal Raised Garden Beds 

Gardeners choose metal raised garden beds because they are easier to set up and more visually pleasing. Metal raised beds are not a novel concept, but they are still a passionately discussed subject among gardeners.

This type of planter box is merely a technique of arranging your soil to simplify things. Homeowners frequently manage their beds by easily putting materials on top rather than replanting the soil season to season to add fertilizer and minerals.

These boxes are widely used as they are extremely durable and long-lasting. However, they also have their pros and cons. Let us go through them in this article.

What Are Metal-Raised Planters? 

Metal raised garden beds can also be referred to as planter boxes or garden boxes. They are metal-made containers or boxes packed with soil and used to cultivate plants.

They are often narrow (4 feet or less) so that you can access the central portion from either side, yet they can be any length you prefer. 

They can differ in terms of depth, and the depth you pick is determined by what you want to cultivate. For instance, deep-rooted plants, such as tiny fruit trees and chilies, require more soil than shallow-rooted plants like lettuce and celery.

These boxes could also be lifted on legs, eliminating the need to squat down when looking after and caring for your plants.

These types are often constructed from galvanized steel. These can come in come in sheets or corrugated panels. Galvanized steel is sturdy, long-lasting and will hold up in different environments.

Pros

Here are the pros of these fixtures.

They are Very Easy to Set Up: These planters are the easiest to construct of all raised bed designs.

You will simply need to connect the pieces together and arrange them into a rectangle form. This can also be useful when growing greenhouse plants for space-saving purposes.

Better Soil Quality: Since you can easily control the type of soil you use, it is of higher quality than soil in the ground. With this outdoor option, you can add the soil that is best for the plant type you want to grow. 

Better Pest Control: Compared to an inground planter, a raised variant can prevent an assortment of burrowing pests from entering your garden.

Pests such as moles, voles, and gophers can all find their way in from underneath. With this option, you can control the bottom of the structure to prevent many of these pests from entering.

Have Fewer Weeds: By lining the bottom of your planter box with fabric, you can help prevent a variety of weeds and grasses from growing.

They are Very Durable: These planters are more durable than wooden beds, which can decay over time as a result of persistent contact with moisture.

Galvanized steel is the ideal type of material to use since it does not corrode as much as other types when exposed to moisture.

Some specialized options have additional properties that protect the bed from corrosion and rusting, making them excellent for any outdoor purpose.

Some types may last up to 20 years before needing to be replaced and necessitate very minimal upkeep. These specialized beds will not corrode for many years.

One-of-a-Kind Industrial Design: They often exude an industrial aesthetic, which is not usually present in the typical gardens that you always see.

This distinct appearance is worth considering when selecting these boxes for their beloved plants. It is also among the beautiful flower box ideas that can make any garden look better.

Cons

Although these beds have their useful advantages, they fall short on some factors. Here are the cons:

They are More Costly than Other Materials: This option is usually costly, but you would need to spend even more money with this type as it is the most costly options among these beds.

They Quickly Heat Up: Most metals heat up quickly, causing significant harm to your plants. Hence, galvanized metal is the best choice because it is a reflective type that does not accumulate considerable heat. To avert damaging your plants, use the correct type.

Furthermore, these planters are permanently stationary, so they cannot be moved around like a potted plant from the excessive sunlight. When utilizing these beds, avoid growing heat-sensitive plants since they will most probably perish in the heat that the metal produces.

They Could Injure You: Metals are normally sharp, and using them for your raised bed might cause pain or injury. Inspect your garden bed on a regular basis to keep an eye out for and repair any sharp edges that may be protruding.

Types Of Metal Raised Garden Beds 

There are various types to consider. Some of them can be quite useful for your tasks as they give more benefits than the other types. For example, there are some metal types that do not rust over time. Here are the different types:

Corrugated Metal

A corrugated metal raised garden bed is a visually appealing and easy-to-assemble option that is suitable for growing vegetables, spices, and spring flowers.

The raised planter is composed of pre-painted, corrugated steel and is simple to place anywhere in the yard. After it is in position, just fill it with dirt and start planting.

The corrugated type can be deconstructed and kept for the winter at the end of the growth period. Because of the creative design, you can merge many types to create a broad range of unique designs to fit your yard.

Corrugated steel beds are wonderful containers. Plants grow properly in these beds and will end up saving you from bending over too much.

Indeed, the zinc and cadmium present in corrugated steel may leak as a result of long-term moisture exposure and fluctuating acidity levels in the soil. It will, however, only leak in tiny amounts, making it essentially harmless.

Galvanized Metal

There is a growing demand for galvanized steel as a component for raised garden beds, with manufacturers particularly creating galvanized raised bed packages that are easy to install, safe to utilize, and claimed to endure longer than any form of wood.

Even with all the pros and cons of these containers made of expensive galvanized steel, they provide the greatest long-term, low-maintenance alternative for homeowners. Galvanized steel is a zinc-coated material that is corrosion-resistant, rendering it perfect for outdoor purposes.

It can take many years for it to rust, with galvanized beds lasting for at least two decades without having to be replaced and with minor upkeep. Galvanized steel is incredibly robust and will not rot or decay over time.

Metal Planter Kit 

There are numerous kits you can buy online or in your local shops that sell gardening tools. Most of the to-be-assembled options normally include thickened and reinforced framework, sturdy connecting bars, connecting angles, and ground feet to keep the container stable.

Tall Metal

There are various pros and cons of these beds that are taller than other types. They are often built of rolled galvanized steel with zinc treatment, assuring durability and lifespan in all environmental situations. They are often powder-coated with a food-safe, non-toxic painting for a striking, long-lasting appearance.

In comparison to ordinary types that are only 12″ or less in height, tall variants are normally 30″ or more in height, and they offer greater pest defense and season expansion. They also promote greater soil health, drainage, and root development.

Round Metal

Custom crops can be grown in round raised garden beds. With their round shape and ideal depth, you have sufficient planting depth for all your best-loved crops, plant herbs, veggies, or flowers. Furthermore, because these round containers are tall enough, planting will need less bending.

Soil also warms up faster in round types after a cold winter, extending your growing season. Their elevation makes it more difficult for pests to get inside and around your plants.

Due to its round shape, it can easily be placed in your small-sized outdoor area, along with other backyard essentials, as it is known to be a space saver.

DIY Metal Planters

Here are some steps on how to make your own basic raised garden bed:

• Create the end frames: Lock the pieces together on a level surface, with the best-looking sides facing up. Screw the pieces together.

• Create the side frames: Toe screws, or screws that are driven at an angle are used to secure the side framework pieces. Drill a shallow countersink-hole-sized to fit the screw head if any of the screw heads do not descend into the metal or wood surface.

• Construct the box: Screw the frames together by putting screws through the cleats on the inner corners. Make sure the frames’ “display” sides are facing outward.

• Trim the metal: Initially, put on some gloves—those metal edges can be razor-sharp! The panels should next be trimmed to length with metal cutters.

• Put the metal in place: Fasten the panels to the frames with screws, 8 to 10 inches apart along the upper and bottom sides. Drill a screw every second column along the side margins.

• Incorporate plywood support: Screw plywood over light-gauge galvanized or corrugated metal to reinforce it.

Are These Planters Good?

Yes! Metal raised garden beds, particularly galvanized ones, are quickly becoming among the most highly recommended planters available. They are very durable, long-lasting, and impervious to breakage.

Even with all the pros and cons of these garden beds, they will not decay like wood and will survive for decades. Aside from that, they look special and can deliver an agricultural or industrial ambiance.

See more related content in our article about wooden garden edging on this page.