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About Our Raised Beds and Planters
Raised beds lift your growing soil above the ground. This gives you full control over drainage and soil quality. It also saves your back, because you bend less to plant and harvest. Our range starts at £85 for a self-watering planter and runs up to full aluminium bed kits. We stock timber, aluminium and self-watering composite, so you can match the look of your garden. Pair a bed with greenhouse staging for seed trays under cover.
Height and material decide how the bed performs. Timber beds blend into traditional plots and cost less to start. Aluminium beds resist rot for decades and suit modern gardens. We fit these beds on site for customers across the UK. We know which sizes work for tight courtyards and which suit open allotments. A cold frame beside the bed extends your season by weeks. Browse greenhouse accessories to finish the setup.
Why We Chose This Range
"I picked the Elite Roots and Shoots beds because they last. The aluminium frame carries a 20-year warranty. I have installed dozens and not one has rotted or warped. Timber beds look lovely, but you replace them within 15 years. For a bed you set and forget, aluminium wins." — Matt W, Installation Lead, Greenhouse Stores
💡 Tip: Fill any bed with a 50/50 mix of topsoil and compost. Pure compost sinks and dries out fast.
🔧 Matt's Installation Tip: Level the base first
We always check the ground with a spirit level before we set a bed down. A bed that sits 20mm out of level pools water at one end. Roots then rot on the low side. Spend ten minutes raking the base flat. It saves a soggy corner later.
Matt's Pick for Long-Term Growing
Best For: gardeners who want a bed that outlasts timber
Why I Recommend It: the aluminium frame shrugs off British rain and carries a 20-year warranty
Price: £155
Raised Bed Materials Compared
| Material | Lifespan | Best For | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timber (Access) | 10-15 years | Traditional plots, lower budget | £123 |
| ⭐ Matt's Pick: Aluminium (Elite) | 20+ years | Low maintenance, modern look | £110 |
| Self-watering composite (Gardenico) | 10+ years | Patios, walls, dry spells | £85 |
| Aluminium cold frame (Elite) | 20+ years | Seedlings, season extension | £299 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the difference between a raised bed and a planter?
A raised bed has an open base that sits on soil. A planter is a closed container. Raised beds drain into the ground below and allow deep roots. Planters suit patios or walls where no soil exists. Our self-watering planters store water in a reservoir under the soil.
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How deep should a raised bed be for vegetables?
Most vegetables need 30cm of depth. Root crops like carrots and parsnips need 45cm. Lettuce and herbs grow well in 15cm. Choose the bed depth to match the crop you plan to grow most often.
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Which material lasts longest in UK weather?
Aluminium lasts longest, often 20 years or more. Pressure-treated timber lasts 10 to 15 years in British rain. Untreated softwood rots within three years, so we never recommend it. Self-watering composite holds up well on patios and walls.
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Do I need to line a raised bed?
Lining is not essential but it helps. A liner against timber sides adds three to five years of life. Leave the base open so water drains and roots reach the ground. Aluminium beds need no lining at all.
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Can a raised bed sit next to a greenhouse?
Yes, and many of our customers do this. A bed beside a greenhouse gives you a clear path from sowing to growing on. Keep a gap of at least 60cm so you can walk and tend both. A cold frame fills the space between them well.
- Ready to start growing?
Browse the full raised beds and planters range above, or call 0800 098 8877. Every order includes free delivery across mainland UK.
- Ready to start growing?