Raised Garden Beds Can Last a Couple Years to a Lifetime

Are your raised beds here for a good time or a long time?

Here's the short answer based on the type of material used for the raised bed:

• WOOD RAISED BED: 5-10 years
• METAL RAISED BED: 30 years
• STONE RAISED BED: lifetime

Now, here's the in-depth answer: It actually depends on a lot of factors.

Your raised beds will not exist inside a climate-controlled bubble. They'll be exposed to all types of weather, and how well they hold up to the elements depends largely on the material they're made of. Going with cedar instead of the more wallet-friendly pine, for example, can prolong your garden’s life expectancy by a good ten years.

Your raised beds are an investment of both time and money, so you want to ensure that you get the most out of them. That means making good decisions now as you're gathering materials and building raised beds. It'll save you money in the long run and ensure you’re able to enjoy your gardening space to the fullest. I hate seeing people build their first raised beds, only to be disappointed and have to start all over again.

As you can see, wood raised beds typically have the shortest life span in your garden. Steel is next in durability, and stone and brick can quite literally last a lifetime. Let's look at each of these raised bed materials and the factors that can affect how long they'll last.

Wood Raised Beds Last About 5 to 10 Years

Wood is typically the least expensive and most popular option for constructing raised garden beds. But as you'll see, not all wood raised beds are considered equal. Let's look at the factors that can determine whether your wood raised beds are here for a decade or longer.

Factors That Can Affect How Long Your Wood Raised Beds Will Last

The Type of Wood Used

Certain types of wood are much more rot-resistant and, therefore, durable than others. Pine is an inexpensive wood, but it can typically only be expected to last about 5 years, maybe 10 under the best conditions. Cedar, redwood, cypress, and hemlock are all types of wood that don't decay or rot quickly, and they can be expected to last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Check which of these durable boards you can find locally sourced.

My preference is always untreated cedar. It's attractive and durable since it's naturally resistant to rot and pests. Even though pressure-treated cedar is considered more durable, I would avoid using it for edible gardens out of an abundance of caution.

The Thickness of the Boards

Wood raised beds constructed with 2-inch-thick boards will last longer than those with 1-inch-thick boards. That's why I always recommend buying the thickest board you can afford, though this often means spending a lot more money.

Make sure to check the thickness of the wood used if you're buying a garden kit online. Most companies use boards that are just too thin and won't hold up very long when they're filled with damp soil.

Drainage

This factor really comes down to what your raised bed is sitting on. Wood raised beds that are placed on level gravel, stone, or concrete will last much longer than wood beds right on top of grass, dirt, or even mulch.

I place my raised beds on gravel, which dries quickly after a storm and provides great drainage for excess moisture. Grass and mulch, in comparison, stay wet after rain for a long time, and dirt, of course, becomes mud. You don't want your raised beds being up next to wet surfaces for long periods of time.

Climate

Humidity, rainfall, sun exposure, and even temperature can impact the durability of wooden raised beds. Raised beds typically don't last as long in more humid climates, especially if they're placed on grass lawns that stay wet after rain.

One Tip to Increase the Durability of Wood Raised Beds

I always paint the inside of clients' wood raised beds with a good-quality, environmentally friendly wood sealant to protect them from the elements. A sealant works by penetrating the wood fibers to improve durability.

My go-to sealant is a mineral powder made by Eco Wood Treatment. It's all natural and doesn't leave any harmful residue in the soil. You simply dilute the powder in water and paint it on the inside of the bed; in return, you get years of extra protection.

Steel Raised Beds Last About 25 to 30 Years

You can't get much more durable or strong than steel. Steel raised beds can last for decades if their exterior is treated with a rust protectant. Most of the metal raised beds you'll find available online today are made with rust-resistant steel. Even Corten steel, which is made to look rusted, is designed to weather to a certain point and then stop.

My favorite types of steel to use for raised beds are Corten steel, powder-coated steel, and galvanized steel. (Learn more about steel raised beds.)

Factors That Can Impact How Long Your Steel Raised Beds Will Last

The Type of Steel

Galvanized steel was the most durable type of steel until powder-coated and Corten steel came along. Galvanized steel is formed by coating the steel in a thin layer of zinc. It's this zinc coating that creates a protective barrier against rust and corrosion (and don't worry—zinc is perfectly safe to have in your garden).

Powder-coated steel is created by applying a powder coating over galvanized steel, which greatly increases the durability. I've seen some companies claim their powder-coated steel raised beds can last at least 40 years. Corten steel has similar resistance to corrosion. The rust-like appearance is actually a protective barrier around the inner steel.

You can feel certain these types of beds will last a really long time, which makes them worthwhile investments if you have room in your garden budget.

The Acidity of the Soil

If you're gardening in galvanized steel, growing in soil with high acidity can destroy the protective zinc layer of the steel bed faster, which will obviously decrease the lifespan of your bed. Fortunately, most fruits and veggies prefer growing in more neutral soil.

Stone Raised Beds Can Last a Lifetime, & Then Some

Stone and brick raised beds can pretty much last forever. Nothing beats these materials for longevity, no matter what type of temperature ranges, humidity, and sun exposure your bed will experience. Stone raised beds can be expensive, but the benefit would be that you'll never have to worry about replacing your raised beds.

(Learn more about the benefits of stone raised beds.)

The One Factor That Can Impact How Long Your Stone Raised Beds Will Last

How the Beds Are Built

Stone gardens that have a cement footer underneath will ultimately be much more durable than ones that are stacked on a sand or dirt foundation. You can dry stack cement blocks, cement pavers, bricks, landscape stone, or natural rock if you're only building your raised bed one to two bricks or stones tall, or you can use cement to hold your materials in place. Make sure to have a level sand bed underneath at the very least to prevent your stones from cracking or turning crooked as the ground shifts underneath.

If you want to create a garden that will truly be here for generations to come, I recommend hiring a garden designer or stonemason to help you with installation.

Find Answers for All Your Raised Bed Questions Here at Gardenary

Gardenary is the place to come to learn how to start a garden. If you're feeling stuck or intimidated over creating your own raised-bed kitchen garden, we've got tons of resources to help.

My first book, Kitchen Garden Revival, is perfect for DIYers. It walks you through how to plan, design, and build your raised beds, plus how to plant and tend your favorite edible plants once your garden is ready to grow.

For maximum help setting up your own kitchen garden, find a garden consultant near you to come out to your space.

Thanks for being here and helping us bring back the kitchen garden one (durable) raised bed at a time!