Tall raised garden beds and salad tables make gardening easier and more accessible while helping deter pests like rabbits. This photo gallery shares ideas from home gardens.
While these beds do require more soil and compost than traditional beds, there are smart ways to fill the box without wasting good soil.
Tall Garden Beds for Easy Access
Tall raised beds keep plants within easy reach—a practical choice for anyone who finds bending or kneeling difficult. They also help deter ground-level pests like rabbits and add a neat, visually appealing element to the garden.
The initial material costs are greater than a standard raised bed—because you’re doubling or tripling the box size—but it’s well worth it for those of us who hope to tend a garden for years to come.
Salad tables, which are essentially raised beds on legs, are another good option. I have mine on wheels so I can move them around for added sun or shade.
Have a look at the photos below to grab ideas for your garden. Most planters are made from wood because I live in a termite-free region. If I have building plans, they are included in the Resources section.
Tall Raised Beds
While tall raised beds are excellent for preventing back and knee strain, there are drawbacks. Along with costing more to build, you’ll need more soil. Or do some smart workarounds.
This lists a number of clever ways to save on soil costs either by filling the bulk of the space with other materials or creating false bottoms within the boxes.
These lovely, tiered beds (above) use another cost-saving measure: build the beds end to end. That cuts some wood costs right there.
If you’re wondering which type of wood to use, the decision starts at your local lumber yard. Cost and availability are everything. Where I live, cedar would be the smartest choice but the price is unaffordable, so I opt to use a thick pine that lasts around 10 years in our weather conditions.
Most plants need less than a foot of soil depth for root space so that’s the place to put your best soil and compost. In my tall beds, I used free soil from a pond excavation to fill the lower two thirds.
These metal stock tanks have become popular choices both for small garden ponds and tall raised beds. Before using one, be sure to check with the manufacturer to ensure the materials are food-safe (if growing food) and watertight (if used for water).
Personally, I want all materials to be food safe regardless of use because I don’t want any potential contaminants seeping into my soil.
This raised bed (above) is in my garden. I extended the back posts to support the privacy wall. You can see how I built it here.
The wood bed (above) is planted with squashes. It’s best to put the trellis in place at planting time so you can guide the plant as it grows.
Notice how the beds (above) are sitting on bricks? This is a smart idea for damp climates so the wood is not sitting on the ground. This will definitely increase the lifespan of the wood.
The wood-stained raised bed (above) is packed with vegetables and herbs. If you enjoy garden art like I do, consider painting designs on the side panels or adding art or a garden sign.
The raised beds (above) are some sort of plastic composite (hopefully made from old plastics). The components click together to create whatever size bed you want. I’m not a fan of the color but perhaps there are other options.
In the photo (above), the gardener created the tall raised beds on a flat driveway to make them wheelchair accessible.
Some gardeners also like this keyhole configuration. Those middle boards are a seat you can move as you work.
The bed (above) has a metal frame to support the wood pieces.
Salad Tables
This style of planter is called a “salad table” or “elevated planter box.” You can see one here on Amazon.
No matter which design you choose, be sure to make it strong enough to hold wet soil and includes drainage holes to prevent rotting.
If you don’t want boxes, you could also use tables or a staircase plant stand to keep containers within reach.
Resources
Free Building Plans
More Tips & Resources
- Soil Calculator (Mulch, Compost, & Potting Mix Too)
- How to Choose the Best Wood for Raised Garden Beds
- How to Fill Tall Raised Beds Without Wasting Soil
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛