Gardening doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or overwhelming. In fact, with a little planning, you can create an easy garden that looks beautiful and produces food in just a single weekend. The secret is choosing designs that give your plants the best start without requiring tons of skill or maintenance.
In this article, I’ll share two of my favorite easy garden ideas: the simple cedar raised bed and the rollable steel container. Both of these can be built or set up quickly, both look beautiful in any outdoor space, and both will help you grow herbs, flowers, and easy garden vegetables that thrive.
At a Glance
- Two easy garden design ideas: Build a simple cedar raised bed or set up a rollable steel container, both beginner-friendly projects you can complete in a weekend.
- Why they work: Larger soil spaces reduce plant stress, make care easier, and boost success compared to small pots.
- Best plants to start with: Cool-weather crops like carrots, radishes, and spinach, or warm-weather favorites like cucumbers, bush beans, zucchini, and zinnias.
Why This Is Easy
If you’ve ever struggled to keep plants alive in small pots, you’re not alone. The truth is, many plants—especially vegetables and herbs—don’t thrive when their roots are crammed into tight spaces. In tiny pots, there’s little room for soil, which means fewer nutrients, less water retention, and a lot more responsibility on your shoulders. One missed watering, and your plant is in trouble.
That’s why raised beds and large planters are such great easy garden ideas. With more soil, plants can send roots deep and wide, storing up water and nutrients when they need them. That means less stress for the plant and less daily maintenance for you. These designs make gardening feel simple and enjoyable instead of frustrating.
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Why Garden in Raised Beds
Raised beds are like giving your plants a luxury apartment—roomy, structured, and full of good resources. They’re easier to work with than in-ground gardens, especially if your soil is rocky, clay-heavy, or lacking in nutrients. With a raised bed, you get to control the soil mix, which means you can grow easy garden plants like leafy greens, radishes, or carrots without worrying about poor soil conditions.
They also help with organization. Instead of scattering pots or digging random holes in the yard, raised beds create defined spaces. You’ll know exactly where your herbs go, where the greens belong, and where to tuck in cheerful flowers that attract pollinators. And let’s not forget—they look fantastic. A row of tidy cedar beds instantly transforms a backyard into a productive, beautiful easy garden design.
On top of all that, raised beds reduce the need to bend all the way to the ground, making garden chores more comfortable. You’ll thank yourself later when harvesting your basil or pulling a few carrots feels effortless.
Simple Cedar Raised Bed
When I first started my garden consulting business, I didn’t have fancy carpentry skills or a workshop full of tools. What I did have was a need for strong, attractive garden beds that didn’t break the bank. That’s how I came up with my “$100 Raised Bed”—a straightforward design that anyone can build with just a few basic tools.
The classic version is a 4-foot by 4-foot bed that’s one foot tall, which makes a perfect starter size for most spaces. To build it, you just need cedar boards, framing angles, and a little hardware. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant, so it lasts for years outdoors without chemicals. With nothing more than a saw, drill, and measuring tape, you can put the whole thing together in an afternoon.
What I love most about this design is how easy it is to adapt. Once you’ve built one, you can adjust the measurements to fit nearly any space, from a long narrow strip along a fence to a series of matching squares for a kitchen garden. While the cost of cedar has gone up over the years, it’s worth the investment. These beds are durable, low-maintenance, and they look beautiful in every season.
If you’re dreaming of growing easy garden vegetables like lettuce, beans, or zucchini, or a mix of herbs and flowers, a cedar raised bed is one of the best places to begin.
Ready to get started? Follow our DIY guide to build a beautiful $100 cedar raised bed and start growing with confidence.
Steel Container Raised Bed
If you’re working with a patio, balcony, or small backyard, a steel container raised bed is one of the smartest easy garden ideas you can choose. I’ve grown herbs and greens in mine for years, and it remains one of my favorite parts of my garden.
The standard version is a large rollable planter made of steel, which makes it both sturdy and stylish. Because it’s on wheels, you can move it easily to follow the sun, tuck it into the shade during summer heat, or bring it closer to the kitchen door for convenient harvests. This flexibility makes container gardening far more forgiving than trying to grow in small pots.
What makes this design shine is the amount of soil it can hold. Unlike tiny containers that dry out quickly, a large steel planter gives roots room to spread and creates a more stable environment for your plants. That means less watering stress for you and healthier, more productive growth for your garden.
I love filling mine with a mix of basil, parsley, spinach, and edible flowers, but you can also use it for compact cucumbers, bush beans, or other easy garden vegetables. Each plant has the space it needs to flourish, and together they create a lush, thriving garden right on the patio.
Want a flexible garden you can roll anywhere? Check out our DIY guide to creating a steel container raised bed and grow herbs, greens, and veggies with ease.
Cedar vs. Steel: Which Easy Garden Design Is Right for You?
Both the cedar raised bed and the steel container raised bed are excellent choices—you really can’t go wrong. The cedar bed is ideal if you have a yard or garden space and want a long-lasting, natural-looking structure that can grow with you as your garden expands. It’s sturdy, adaptable, and creates a beautiful focal point in any backyard.
The steel container raised bed, on the other hand, is perfect if you’re gardening on a patio, balcony, or small space. Its mobility makes it especially beginner-friendly, since you can move it around to find the best light. It also offers a sleek, modern look and plenty of soil depth without requiring you to build anything.
Think about your space, your style, and how much flexibility you want. Whether you choose cedar or steel, you’ll be creating an easy garden design that supports your plants and simplifies your gardening life.
What Plants Should I Start With?
Once your cedar raised bed or steel container is ready, it’s time for the fun part—planting. Choosing the right plants will set you up for success and make your garden feel abundant right away. These are some of the best easy garden plants for beginners:
Cool-weather favorites: carrots, radishes, spinach, peas, and spring mix. These crops grow quickly in early spring or fall, giving you fast results and delicious harvests.
Warm-weather stars: cucumbers, bush beans, zucchini, arugula, and zinnias. These plants thrive in summer heat and will fill your garden with both food and flowers.
Mix in a few herbs like basil, thyme, or cilantro, and you’ll have a garden that’s productive, fragrant, and beautiful to look at every day. With these easy garden vegetables and herbs, you’ll be harvesting in no time.
Want to learn more? Read10 Easy Seeds That Practically Grow Themselves here.
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Final Thoughts
Creating a thriving garden doesn’t have to take months of planning or years of trial and error. With a simple cedar raised bed or a rollable steel container, you can transform your outdoor space in just a weekend. Both designs give your plants the room they need to grow strong, while making your role as the gardener easier and more enjoyable.
Remember—gardening isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about creating a space where plants and people can thrive together. Start with these easy garden design ideas, plant some of the best easy garden vegetables and herbs, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly your space transforms into a flourishing, beautiful garden.