Classic compost layering is best suited for the inside of a raised bed, but pure potting soil can also be filled into such a bed box. You can use a wide variety of materials for the outer edging, which differ greatly not only in their properties but also in their price.
What materials and prices are there for raised bed edging?
A raised bed border can be made of different materials, such as wood, stone, gabions, metal or plastic. Prices vary depending on the material and quality, starting at around 50 EUR for simple wood or stone variants up to several hundred EUR for high-quality solutions.
Suitable materials for raised bed edging
Classic edging for raised beds consists of the following materials:
Wood
Raised wooden beds should be made from hardwood such as larch, as it is particularly weather-resistant and therefore durable. On the other hand, wooden raised bed borders made from Euro pallets are cheaper (and easier to build).
Stone
Stone raised beds can be built from both natural and concrete stones and are considered particularly stable and durable. As a cheap alternative, you can also use bricks, paving stones or planting stones. Manhole rings are also very suitable for raised bed edging.
Gabions
These are wire baskets that can be filled with a wide variety of materials and used as a border. They are usually made of galvanized steel and are very durable.
Metal
Corten steel is particularly suitable for metal raised bed borders as it is particularly durable. In addition, its surface looks very interesting and makes the raised bed an eye-catcher in the garden or on the terrace.
Plastic
Raised bed borders made of plastic are particularly light and are therefore particularly suitable for balconies and terraces, where you have to pay attention to the total weight of the raised bed due to the statics.
No matter which material you choose: you should definitely line the inside of the raised bed with a waterproof film or fleece so that the moisture from the filling cannot penetrate the border and destroy it over time.
What prices should you expect for an edging?
The mentioned edgings are very different in terms of costs, and they also vary greatly within a group.
Wood
Raised wooden beds can be built cheaply for 50 to 100 euros, but are then made of inferior and therefore not very durable wood. High-quality hardwood costs around 300 to 400 EUR for a raised bed, depending on the size.
Stone
Stone raised beds can vary in price from 50 to 100 EUR to several thousand EUR, depending on what types of stone you want to use and what tools or construction equipment you need. Gabion baskets as a border for raised beds (which can be filled with field stones, for example) are available from around EUR 100.
Metal and plastic
Metal and plastic borders for raised beds are available very cheaply starting at around 100 EUR.
Tip
You can get a raised bed particularly cheaply if you upcycle old objects such as a bathtub and – instead of throwing them away – give them a new purpose.
