Cedar is a common choice for raised garden beds because makers describe it as naturally resistant to rot and insects. Beds come in two broad styles: tall ones on legs that bring the soil up to waist height, and low ground-level boxes that stack or expand.
The six beds below cover both styles. Sizes, materials and weight figures come from each product’s listing page, and durability, rot resistance and load figures are the makers’ own claims. We have not used these beds ourselves. One listing is titled cedar but also lists fir wood, and we point that out below.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Wood type | Check whether the listing names western red cedar, inland red cedar or a cedar and fir mix |
| Height | Legs raise the bed to 30 inches or more; ground kits are only a few inches tall |
| Depth | Root crops and larger plants need more soil than herbs |
| Liner and drainage | A liner holds soil in; drainage gaps or holes keep roots from sitting in water |
Specs at a Glance
| Bed | Size | Wood | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maple99 with legs | 48 x 24 x 30 in | Cedar and fir listed | Maker says it holds 200 lb; coatable per maker; drainage hole |
| Timber Valley | 48 x 24 x 32 in | Cedar | Mortise-and-tenon frame; liner included |
| VegTrug Grey Wash | 29.9 x 40.7 x 31.5 in | Cedar with grey-wash finish | V-shaped; holds up to 225 qt of soil; breathable liner |
| VegTrug Natural | 29.9 x 40.7 x 31.5 in | Uncoated inland red cedar | Made in USA; V-shaped; 225 qt |
| All Things Cedar 4 x 2 ft | 4 x 2 ft; 5.25 in tall | Untreated western red cedar | Stackable and expandable; pre-cut parts |
| All Things Cedar 2-tier | 22 x 22 x 10.5 in | Untreated western red cedar | Two tiers; stack or expand |
The 6 Best Cedar Raised Garden Beds
1. Maple99 Cedar Raised Garden Bed With Legs, 48x24x30
A 48 by 24 inch bed on 30 inch legs with a drainage hole and a finish the maker says can be coated. The maker says it holds up to 200 pounds of soil, plants and water. The title says cedar, but the material line reads cedar wood and fir wood, so it may be a mix.
Suits: a leg-mounted bed for a patio. Strengths: a drainage hole and a coatable surface. Weaknesses: an unclear wood mix. Skip it if you want solid cedar throughout.
View Cedar Raised Garden Bed with Legs, Outdoor Planter Box 48x24x30, 200lb on Amazon
2. Timber Valley Elevated Cedar Raised Garden Bed, 48 x 24 x 32
A 48 by 24 inch elevated bed, 32 inches tall, built with reinforced mortise-and-tenon joints instead of H-slot joints and a frame-and-panel design on each side. A weed suppressant liner is included.
Suits: a sturdier raised bed with a liner. Strengths: frame-and-panel sides and a liner included. Weaknesses: the brand is listed as generic. Skip it if you want a known maker.
3. VegTrug Classic Raised Bed, Grey Wash, Small 1m
A V-shaped cedar bed with a grey-wash water-based finish and plastic feet. It measures 29.9 by 40.7 by 31.5 inches, holds up to 225 quarts of soil and comes with a breathable liner.
Suits: a small patio or balcony. Strengths: a V shape for shallow and deep roots, and a liner. Weaknesses: a smaller planting area. Skip it if you need a long bed.
4. VegTrug Classic Raised Bed, Natural, Small 1m, Made in USA
The same V-shaped design in uncoated inland red cedar, which the maker says is sourced and made in Woodland, Washington. It lists the same 31.5 inch height and 225 quart capacity. The page gives the 29.9 inch side as depth, while the grey-wash page calls it length.
Suits: an unfinished, made-in-USA bed. Strengths: a stated wood source and no finish. Weaknesses: the same small footprint. Skip it if you want a tinted finish.
5. All Things Cedar 4-ft x 2-ft Raised Garden Planter Bed
A ground-level bed in untreated western red cedar with pre-cut, snug-fitting parts. It measures 4 by 2 feet and 5.25 inches tall, and the stackable, modular design lets you add height or expand.
Suits: a low bed on soil or lawn. Strengths: a western red cedar build and modular parts. Weaknesses: only 5.25 inches tall. Skip it if you need deep soil without stacking.
View All Things Cedar 4-ft X 2-ft Raised Garden Planter Bed, Western Red Cedar Build on Amazon
6. All Things Cedar 2-ft Square 2-Tier Planter Bed
A two-tier square planter 22 inches wide and deep and 10.5 inches tall, made from untreated western red cedar. The maker describes it as handmade, with pre-cut parts that can be stacked or expanded.
Suits: herbs and flowers in a compact space. Strengths: a compact two-tier build. Weaknesses: a small planting area. Skip it if you grow large vegetables.
Care and Setup
- Set the bed on level ground before filling it.
- Line the inside where a liner is not included.
- Check that drainage holes or gaps are not blocked by soil.
- Leave untreated cedar to weather, or apply a finish the maker allows.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming a cedar title means solid cedar throughout.
- Filling a leg-mounted bed beyond the maker’s stated load.
- Choosing a shallow ground kit for deep-rooted plants.
- Skipping drainage in a bed with a solid base.
Cedar Raised Bed FAQ
Why choose cedar?
Makers describe it as naturally resistant to rot and insects. Those are the makers’ claims, and we have not verified them.
Do I need a liner?
A liner helps keep soil from falling through gaps. Timber Valley and VegTrug include one, while the Maple99 and All Things Cedar listings do not mention one.
The Short Version
For a bed on legs, the Maple99. For a sturdier frame and liner, the Timber Valley. For a small V-shaped bed with a grey finish, the VegTrug Grey Wash. For an uncoated made-in-USA bed, the VegTrug Natural. For a low modular bed, the All Things Cedar 4 by 2. For a compact tiered planter, the All Things Cedar 2-tier.
