The style of your home can be a good indication of what material to use. Additionally, you need to think about how long you want your garden beds to last. Are they temporary, or do you want them to last from season to season and year to year?
Stone – You can choose classic red brick or a custom color that matches the siding of your home. Stone is always an attractive option for construction projects. It may be a little pricey, but it will last. If you have a brick house, brick fencing or stone walkways, you can use this material for your raised garden beds to tie everything together for an aesthetically pleasing look. Brick garden beds can also increase the attractiveness and value of your home.
Cinder block – Cinder blocks or concrete blocks can be cheaper and easier to install than brick, but may not look as nice. You may want to paint or finish the surface of your blocks, but it all depends on your own personal preference. Additionally, cinder block beds have a wide edge to sit on, which makes gardening easier on your back. You can cover your block walls or use the small openings in them as additional planters.
Stone – If you have or love a brick house natural stonebuilding a raised garden bed with this material is a great option. It may be more expensive and require the help of a professional, but stone construction lasts a long time and looks nice.
Wood – Although this material is cheaper initially, it will not last long. Wooden planks are best used for temporary beds. It looks great for the first few years, but after a while it can start to look a little worn as it falls apart.
Make sure you DO NOT use treated wood, as toxic chemicals can seep into the soil and contaminate your plants. The best wood for this project is either of these heart redwood or cedar, because these types of wood are more durable and pest-resistant. You may also want to line your raised garden box with plastic to extend the life of your wood.
Combination of wood with metal paneling – This can be the cheapest way to make your own custom raised beds. Corrugated metal panels are relatively inexpensive and a wooden frame holds them in place. You can even find it metal sets like it this.
Storage tanks – Using old stock tanks is by far the easiest and fastest way to build your raised garden. You simply place the tanks where you want them and voila! Additionally, you can move the supply tanks and change your landscape as desired.