Raised planters are becoming really popular across the UK and with good reason – they have so many benefits over standard planters which makes them well worth considering! The first reason that we love them is because they are going to help to keep your plants safe from pets – whether this be the neighbours cats or your dog, raised bedding areas stop the plants from being such a target! Not only this, but the fact that they are raised means that they really add another dimension to your garden – no pun intended. Finally, we have found that they are a great option for anyone with back or knee problems who struggles to give their bedding areas the TLC that they need. Raised planters are much easier to work with thanks to the height that they offer!
Raised planters are mostly going to come made from wood but we did find some alternative options in plastic too! Here is what we found…
Best Pick – The Fellie Raised Planter
- 🍄[Brief Specification] -- Overall size of wooden plant grow box is 244x61x25.5cm (W*D*H). The size of board is 120x57x25cm (W*D*H). The thickness is 1.3cm.
- 🍄[Wide Application]--This versatile flower elevated raised bed can be used both indoors and outside in gardens, patios, balconies, greenhouse and etc..
- 🍄[Less Digging] - The garden raised beds for plant growing doesn’t make the soil become compacted and it can help drainage and avoid soil waterlogged.
- 🍄[High Quality&Stable] -- The raised garden kits is constructed from strong and durable fir wood. It’s perfect for tomatoes, strawberries, herbs, plants and flowers.
- 🍄[Assemble Required]-- This plant raised bed for garden is semi-finished product. Come with a user manual, the garden raised kit is very easy to install.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
In A Hurry?
For anyone that has had one too many floor planters or bedding areas destroyed or damaged, this part of the article is for you. We have included some of the best raised planters for you to choose from, along with the key features you need to look for when you are buying a raised planter.
Size and Capacity
Probably the first thing you need to think about is the size of the raised planter that is going to be right for you and your garden. There are so many different sizes available to choose from, it can be difficult to know what is the best to go for. Make sure to check not only the size of the planter in terms of length and height, but also the capacity of the planter. This is going to determine how much soil/compost and plants your raised planter can hold. A deeper planter with a greater capacity will be more suited to growing vegetables where they are safe, whereas a lesser capacity will be better suited to smaller bedding plants as this will avoid root rot from the plants being sat in soil which is too damp. Capacities range from smaller models that will hold around 40L up to large raised planters that can hold up to 400L. As you can see this is a massive difference so it is worth checking the space that your plants are going to need before you buy!
Sizes vary from around 70cm in length up to 150cm (with some custom models being even longer!) but just make sure to measure the space in your garden first! The width of raised planters tends to be considerably less, starting at around 30cm and going up to around 70cm.
Design
The design of your raised planter is not only going to impact the look of your planter but also how easy it is to work with. The shape of your planter will also help to determine which plants you can grow successfully in your raised planter. Planters in a V shape are going to be better suited for plants with longer roots or vegetables as they will be able to grow down into the planter. However, rectangular planters are going to be perfect for slightly larger plants and shrubs that need a wider root spread to be able to get a firm hold of the ground around them.
When looking at the legs of your raised planter, you need to consider how raised you actually want your raised planter to be! Some raised planters will be only slightly off the ground whereas others are actually at waist level – the taller planters are fantastic for anyone that is wanting to tend to their plants without having to bend and crouch down to the ground. This makes tall raised planters perfect for anyone with back or knee problems!
Some legs are going to be crossed which helps to add to the stability of the planter and will work well to keep it upright in more adverse weather conditions. Others have more “standard” legs and for these models we would recommend making sure they have a stabilising beam across the middle if possible!
Thinking maybe the design of a raised planter now isn’t for you? Here are some of our standard wooden planters as an alternative option!
Material
Most raised planters are going to be made from wood – this natural material is perfect to blend in with your garden and offers a traditional look. There are many benefits to choosing a wooden planter that is made from wood, for example the durability of the material and how easy it is to maintain. We found that many raised planters can last for 10-15 years providing they are well maintained, which is often as simple as treating the wood twice a week! However, there are downsides to choosing a wooden raised planter. For example, the planter isn’t going to be completely waterproof, which will mean that it could begin to rot over time if it isn’t well maintained. Not only this, but larger raised planters that are made from wood are going to be quite heavy, which is worth considering if you may be needing to move your planter around the garden. There are a variety of woods to choose from when selecting a raised planter…from standard timber to fir, cedar or redwood. All will have different maintenance needs and lifespans so make sure to check for this before you buy!
There are also raised planters that are made from plastic or metal if you are wanting something different from wood. These are going to have a much less “natural” look than wooden raised planters but if you are willing to compromise on this then there are many benefits. We love how light metal and plastic raised planters are as this allows you to move them round the garden depending on the time of year, the plants you are growing or the weather. Not only this, but they are going to be incredibly weatherproof in ways that your wooden models won’t be. You know that they are going to be safe from rot, although you will need to make sure that metal models are going to be protected from rust.
Assembly
The final, more essential, aspect that you need to consider is how easy it will be to assemble your raised planter. Some of the larger planters are definitely going to take two people to erect, and quite possibly power tools too if you are wanting the planter to be strong and stand the test of time.
It also may be worth looking to see if your planter has removable legs and can be “disassembled” and built again. For many raised planters, once they are built…that is it, which is great if you are wanting your planter up for the whole year round, but actually this may not be for you. Some of the best raised planters will have removable legs, which gives you much more flexibility in where you can put your planter over the winter months. It may then be possible to relocate it (and the hibernating plants) to the garage over those cold, harsh winter months!
TOP TIP: If you are wanting a raised planter without the fuss then look out for models that come ready assembled! For these models you will simply have to click the legs into place and your planter will be ready to use!
Best Budget – Simply Wood Tanalised Pressure Treated Square Planter
- Large Square Planter – HALF PRICE SALE - WHILE STOCKS LAST
- RRP: £89.99 – OUR PRICE ONLY £44.99
- Tanalised, Pressure Treated For Years Of Outside Use, Totally Weather Proof
- Strong, Robust & Looks Fantastic
- Highest Grade Swedish Pine - Approx Dimensions : Length/width: 400 x 400 mm Depth: 250 mm Internal length/width: 330 x 330 mm Internal depth: 200 mm
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Best Raised Planters Features
If you are wanting the best raised planter for your budget then just looking for those standard features isn’t going to be enough. You are going to need to look out for these features that really define the best raised planters!
- Pressure treated wood – If you have decided that a wooden raised planter is the best option for you, then make sure that the wood is pressure treated. This helps to make sure that the protective treatment is engrained deep into the wood so that it will be protected from rotting for longer.
- Wheels/Castors – Some of the long-legged raised planters actually come on wheels. This is great for if you know that you are going to be wanting to move your raised planter around (but does ruin the “natural” look a little bit so may not be to your taste).
- Shelving – We love raised planters that have shelving underneath – this is perfect for any pots that you may be growing shoots in, or for your favourite gardening tools!
- Colour – Most raised planters are going to come in their “natural” state. However we did find some that were painted in more unique colours. If you opt for a paler wooden raised planter then you always have the option of painting this yourself in a colour to match your garden.
- FSC certified wood – If you are conscious of the environment then look out for planters that are made from FSC wood. This means that it has been cut sustainably so is much better for the environment.
- Plastic/rubber feet – The best raised planters will have rubber or plastic stoppers on the legs of the planter. This helps to reduce the chance of rotting by providing a barrier for the parts of the planter that will be continually exposed to damp. Not only this, but if they have small grips on the bottom then this is a great way to make sure that your planter does not move around or scratch your paving – particularly in windy weather!
- Partitions – If you are wanting to use your raised planter for more practical uses, such as growing vegetables or herbs, then it may be a good idea to look out for a planter with different partitions. This will allow you to clearly define between the different plants that are growing and stop them from merging too much and becoming unruly!
- Self-watering systems – The height of luxury as far as we are concerned! If you are wanting a raised planter to grow your plants but don’t have the time to water them yourself, then look out for models with self-watering systems. These will read when the soil moisture level is dropping and “top up” the water using a reservoir of stored up water!
Best of the Rest
- 🌲[Brief Specification] -- Overall size of wooden plant grow box is 123x123x55cm (L*W*H). Top part is 118x51.5cm (L*H). Medium part is 118x35cm(L*H).
- 🌲[3 Tiers Raised Bed] -- 3-floors multiple combination is great for multi-plant cultivation to create your personal garden, meet your planting requirements better.
- 🌲[Wide Application]--This versatile flower elevated raised bed can be used both indoors and outside in gardens, patios, balconies, greenhouse and etc..
- 🌲[High Quality&Stable] -- The raised garden kits is constructed from strong and durable fir wood. It’s perfect for tomatoes, strawberries, herbs, plants and flowers.
- 🌲[Assemble Required]-- This plant raised bed for garden is semi-finished product. Come with a user manual, the garden raised kit is very easy to install.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- Includes Pre Formed Liner
- Added Feet Covers
- Perfect For A Balcony Or Small Garden
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- Extra deep trough raised planter ideal to create a herb garden at a easy working height with out any kneeling or bending.
- Heavy duty construction to create a very sturdy raised planter ideal for patio, garden and for fruit and vegetables. Ideal height for easy planting and for tending to herbs and plants for the elderly.
- Extra depth planter ideal for better root growth and also will protect plants from damage from pest and pets.
- Comes ready made build tough section simply sits on the legs. (The only build required is 4 screws to the base)
- Overall Size: 102cm long x 66cm height. Trough size 102cm long x 39cm wide x 35cm high
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
What guarantee will I get with a raised planter?
This often depends on the material that you raised planter is made from, however we found that almost all raised planters come with at least a 12 month guarantee. Some of the higher quality products made from more durable wood actually have warranties of up to 4 years – however we would definitely like to think they would last much longer than this!
What is the best raised planter for cultivation and plant growing?
If you are serious about growing crops and plants then there are particular raised planters that are going to help with this. Look out for models that are partitioned to allow you to grow different crops at once whilst keeping them separated. We also like models that have water gauges, which makes it much easier to see when your plants need more water. There are also raised planters with “lids” allowing you to better manage the temperature of the air around your plants whilst they are growing.
How should I maintain my raised planter?
Regularly maintaining your raised planter is going to be vital if you are wanting it to last through the great British weather! If you have opted for a wooden raised planter then we would recommend treating it twice a year to keep it protected from rot. This can be done by simply sanding down your planter and treating the external sides and legs of the planter. If you have opted for a plastic raised planter then there are UV protection sprays/paints that you can use to protect from discolouration from the sun.
Why does a raised planter still need raised legs?
The raised legs on a planter aren’t actually there to add height to the planter but they are there to keep the base of the planter raised from the floor. This helps to prevent the damp ground from damaging the bottom of the planter and causing it to rot. Not only that, but it helps to ensure that the soil has good drainage so that the roots don’t rot if they are sat in damp soil for extended periods of time.
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