The Complete Guide to Raised Garden Bed Corners

When building a raised garden bed, one of the most important components are the corners. The raised bed corners connect the sides of the bed together and provide structural integrity. Choosing the right corners is essential for creating a raised bed that will last for years to come. In this complete guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know about raised garden bed corners.

What Are Raised Garden Bed Corners?

Raised garden bed corners (also called braces or brackets) are connector pieces that are installed where two sides of a raised bed meet at a corner. They are typically made of wood, metal, or plastic and are attached to the lumber used to build the raised bed frames.

The corners serve several important functions

• They join the sides of the raised bed together and hold them at a 90 degree angle to create a square or rectangular structure.

• They provide strength and rigidity to the raised bed, reinforcing the corner joints.

• They raise the bed up off the ground to the desired height.

• They often have pre-drilled holes to make screwing them into the raised bed boards quick and easy.

Having sturdy, well-installed raised garden bed corners makes a huge difference in the longevity and durability of a raised bed.

Benefits of Using Raised Bed Corners

There are several key advantages to using raised bed corners compared to just butt joining the boards at the corners:

• Strength – Corners reinforce the joints where the sides meet, preventing rotting and loosening over time. Beds without corners are more prone to falling apart.

• Assembly – Corners have pre-drilled holes so installation is much simpler compared to screwing corner joints from scratch.

• Appearance – Corners give beds a neat, orderly, finished look. Beds without corners often look rickety.

• Leveling – Adjustable corners make it easy to level and maintain the height of raised beds as they settle.

• Versatility – Different size and style corners are available to accommodate various bed shapes, sizes, and materials.

Using good quality raised garden bed corner brackets makes raised bed building easier and results in better looking, longer lasting raised beds.

Raised Garden Bed Corner Materials

Raised bed corners come in a variety of different materials, each with their own characteristics:

• Wood – Typically made from cedar or pine. Provides a natural look. Requires regular staining/sealing to prevent rotting.

• Plastic – Affordable but can become brittle and crack over time when exposed to sun and cold weather.

• Steel – Very strong and long-lasting but may rust if not galvanized or powder coated. Can conduct heat into beds.

• Aluminum – Lightweight, very durable, won’t rust. More expensive than other options but lasts for decades.

• Recycled Plastic – Made from recycled milk jugs or detergent bottles. Eco-friendly and maintenance free.

Consider the pros and cons of each material and choose the one best suited for your climate and budget. Aluminum and steel corners tend to be the strongest and most durable options.

Raised Garden Bed Corner Styles

There are a few main styles of raised bed corner brackets:

• Fixed 90 Degree Corners – These have pre-set 90 degree angles and come in various heights. They attach directly to the inside of the raised bed boards.

• Adjustable Corners – Have movable flanges that can be positioned at any angle, allowing flexibility for unique raised bed shapes.

• External Corners – Designed to be installed on the exterior of the raised beds for a cleaner look. Require precise cutting of the raised bed lumber.

• Decorative Corners – Feature ornamental designs and attractive colors for a visually appealing look. Help raised beds blend into landscaping.

Make sure to get the right size corners for the height and width of lumber you are using to build your raised beds. Adjustable and external corners provide the most installation options.

Raised Bed Corner Installation

Proper installation of raised garden bed corners is crucial for structural integrity:

• Corner brackets typically have pre-drilled holes for screw insertion. Use exterior-grade screws that are long enough to securely fasten the corners to the raised bed boards.

• Position the corner pieces at 90 degree angles if using fixed corners. For adjustable corners, position the flanges to match the angles of your raised bed design before screwing them in.

• Make sure top edges of the corners align perfectly with the top edges of the raised bed boards. Having corners positioned unevenly can cause beds to lean and warp.

• Use a drill, driver bit, and square drive bit to efficiently install the corner bracket screws. Take care not to split the wood.

• Apply weatherproof silicone caulk or exterior wood glue along the inside seams for extra adhesion and waterproofing.

• Check that corner joints are tight, level, and sturdy with no gaps before filling the bed with soil.

Allowing enough time for precise corner installation will pay off for years to come. Your raised bed will only be as strong as its corners.

Choosing the Best Raised Garden Bed Corners

With many corner options on the market, here are some tips for selecting the best raised garden bed corners:

• Choose a durable, weather-resistant material like aluminum or galvanized steel that won’t easily bend, rot or rust.

• Look for solid, sturdy construction – thin, flimsy corners won’t provide enough structural support.

• Get the proper size for your raised bed lumber dimensions and desired height. Measure carefully.

• Opt for pre-drilled holes for easier installation. External corners require more precision.

• Consider decorative options like scalloped or flower-shaped corners for visual appeal.

• Adjustable corners allow flexibility if you may expand/reconfigure beds later.

• Buy from reputable companies like Gardener’s Supply for high-quality products that will last.

• Consider value packs for saving on multiple raised beds. Stainless steel screws are recommended.

Take time to choose the best raised garden bed corners for your needs and budget to create durable, long-lasting raised bed structures.

Decorative Raised Garden Bed Corner Options

In addition to standard metal corner brackets, there are various decorative raised bed corner options that add visual interest:

• Scalloped corners have an elegant curved cutout design. Popular for front yard raised flower beds.

• Flower-shaped corners mimic the look of large blossoms. Create a whimsical feel.

• Finial corners feature decorative molded tops like pyramids, balls, or spears. Available in metal and plastic.

• Dragonfly corners have charming metal dragonfly cutouts on the sides. Ideal for cottage garden style beds.

• Stepped corners have brick or stone texture. Can complement hardscaping.

• Solar lights can be incorporated into corner posts to softly illuminate beds at night.

• Metal corner covers can conceal basic brackets. Come in finishes like copper or bronze.

Decorative raised bed corners let you customize the look of your vegetable or flower gardens. They tend to cost a bit more than basic brackets.

DIY Raised Bed Corner Options

For the handy DIYer, there are a few options for making your own raised bed corner brackets:

• Wooden corners – Use exterior grade lumber, cutting miters at the appropriate angles. Screw pieces together from both sides.

• Stackable lumber – Layer boards in an L shape. Spike or screw them together. Won’t be as rigid or last as long as purpose built corners.

• PVC corners – Cut 4″ PVC pipe at 45 degree angles to create corner joints. Glue and screw in place. Spray paint to match beds.

• Concrete corners – Build wood forms, fill with concrete, then slide on end of beds once cured. Very heavy but permanent.

• Scrap metal – Cut and bend sheet metal at 90 degree angles. Drill and screw into place. File rough edges. Could rust over time.

DIY corners likely won’t be quite as strong or precisely fit as commercial products but can work well in a pinch. Be sure to measure carefully and check angles before assembling beds.

raised garden bed corners: 25
raised bed corners: 6
corner brackets: 12
corner joints: 3
corner pieces: 2
corner options: 4
garden bed corners: 1

Raised garden beds are a great way to grow plants, but building them properly starts with selecting the right raised bed corner brackets. Sturdy, well-fitted corners made from durable all-weather materials will stand the test of time. Taking the time to carefully install quality raised bed corners when you first build your raised beds will pay off for many gardening seasons to come. With this guide covering the key factors – materials, styles, installation, and decorative options – you now have all the information you need to choose the perfect raised garden bed corners for your next project. Happy gardening!