The 11 Best Wood Options for Raised Garden Beds: For Durability, Budget, and More

When you're building a raised garden bed, you've got a lot of things to consider—location, soil, plants, etc. You're probably also wondering what kind of wood is the best for your project. Fortunately, there are lots of options! We'll list the best types of wood for your raised garden beds, so keep reading.

1

Cedar

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Cedar is a common lumber option if you live on the West Coast, but you may be able to find it elsewhere although it can be quite expensive. It's one of the most durable types of hardwood—it can last 15 to 20 years! Cedar is also rot-resistant and pest-resistant, so it's great for the garden.^{[1]XResearch source}

2

Black locust

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It's a sturdy hardwood that resists moisture, humidity, insects, and fungal infections. Because it's a hardwood, it can be pricey, but you won't need to replace your raised garden beds for decades.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourcePenn State ExtensionEducational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communitiesGo to source}

3

Cypress

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Cypress has some rot-resistant and pest-resistant properties, but it doesn't last as long as hardwood. It does have a slightly sour smell and can cause skin sensitivity in some people. However, it's affordable and sturdier than other softwoods like pine.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Georgia Cooperative ExtensionDivision of the University of Georgia focused on research and community educationGo to source}

4

Spruce

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This wood is easy to handle, lightweight, and long-lasting. This can make spruce a bit more costly, but it won't break your budget.^{[4]XResearch source}

5

Douglas Fir

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While Douglas Fir is a bit more expensive than other softwoods, it's also really durable. It typically lasts longer than other softwoods, so it's a good choice if you know you want to use the beds for about a decade before replacing them.^{[5]XResearch source}

6

Redwood

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It's also more common on the West Coast. Just like cedar, redwood has pest-resistant and rot-resistant qualities, so your raised garden beds will last for years. Unfortunately, since redwood is harder to find, it's often more costly than cedar.^{[6]XResearch source}

7

Oak

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Since oak is a dense hardwood, some people find it difficult to drill into. However, oak is more rot- and -insect resistant than softwood and it holds up much longer. Oak also grows more slowly than other wood types, so it can be difficult to source. Be sure to search for sustainably harvested oak to prevent deforestation.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Georgia Cooperative ExtensionDivision of the University of Georgia focused on research and community educationGo to source}

8

Pine

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If you're having a hard time finding cedar or redwood, you'll probably have no problem picking up pine from the lumber yard. Since it's a softwood, it's light and easy to work with. Plus, it's a really affordable wood. The only drawbacks are that it will break down after a few years and it's not rot- or pest-resistant.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Georgia Cooperative ExtensionDivision of the University of Georgia focused on research and community educationGo to source}

9

Plant-safe pallets

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Upcycle wooden pallets that are chemical-free for a cheap raised bed. It's tempting to use free pallets that you find around town, but be cautious. The pallets will break down quickly and some are treated with a pesticide (methyl bromide) that you don't want coming into contact with your garden soil.
- To ensure a pallet is plant-safe, look for the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo. This means the pallet was heat-treated instead of chemically treated.

10

Non-pressure-treated wood

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Choose lumber or old wooden boards that are chemical-free. The pressure-treatment process involves treating wood with chemicals to make the lumber pest-resistant or rot-resistant. Unfortunately, chemicals like arsenic can leach into your ground soil, so only use products that are not pressure-treated, especially if you're planning to grow organic fruits or veggies.^{[9]XResearch source}
- If you're not sure if the wood was pressure-treated, line the inside of your garden bed with heavy plastic, so the soil doesn't come into contact with the wood.

11

Composite wood

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Go with this material if you want really long-lasting raised beds. Composite wood is made of a mix of wood fiber, wood flour, and thermoplastic resin, so it's incredibly durable. Since it's not completely made of wood, it's rot-proof and pest-resistant. It's a good option if you don't plan on moving or replacing your garden beds.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Composite wood also won't warp or break down over time although the color can fade.
- While making raised beds, make sure they are not too wide.^{[11]XExpert SourceSteve Masley
  Home & Garden SpecialistExpert Interview. 20 March 2019.}
- A width of 3 feet or 40 inches is suitable because it is easy to reach the middle of the bed.^{[12]XExpert SourceSteve Masley
  Home & Garden SpecialistExpert Interview. 20 March 2019.}
- If you put it up against a wall, it should not be wider than 2 feet.^{[13]XExpert SourceSteve Masley
  Home & Garden SpecialistExpert Interview. 20 March 2019.}

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Tips

To minimize the environmental impact, look for wood that was produced locally. You can also shop for sustainable FSC-certified wood to prevent deforestation or destructive forestry practices.^{[14]XResearch source}
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Warnings

Avoid using railroad ties. These are treated with creosote which is toxic to plants. As the railroad ties weather over the years, the creosote doesn't affect plants as much, but you should avoid using ties that are still oozing creosote which looks black and sticky.^{[15]XResearch source}
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Skip old pressure-treated wood. Pressure-treated wood from before 2004 may contain arsenic. This is because lumber was treated with CCA (chromated copper arsenate), which can leach into the soil.^{[16]XResearch source}
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It's also a good idea to avoid modern pressure-treated wood, which could release copper. Pressure-treated wood is not allowed in organic farming practices.^{[17]XResearch source}
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