Have you ever looked at an ugly area of your yard or garden, one so ugly that you cringe every time you catch a glimpse? Whether it’s a forgotten patch of weeds, an awkwardly placed utility box, or an old staircase that was partially demolished like me, I have a solution for you—Cover it up!!!
In my last post about the courtyard I talked about how we freshened it up at the beginning of spring, but I needed to fix the ugly corner situation.
I decided to build a corner flower box over it to cover it up. Nothing crazy, actually more like a faux raised garden bed, and a super clever solution to fix this problem.
I then stacked them–The 8″ boards on the bottom and the 4″ boards on the top.
I decided to have a space in between for drainage and to help avoid rot. I used the 1×3 as a temporary spacer. 
I then cut the 2x2s into three pieces, slightly shorter than the height of the two boards, to use in the corners and ends as braces.
Next I placed the 1×3 on top as sort of cap design. I nailed and screwed these in place and then I decided to test fit it to see how it looked:
Hey gardening friends! I’m Sarah from Green Thumb Gardens, and today I’m super excited to share some amazing corner raised garden bed ideas that’ll help you make the most of those often-forgotten corners in your yard. After years of experimenting with different garden designs I’ve learned that corners can be real garden goldmines!
Why Corner Raised Beds Are Awesome
Before diving into the ideas. lemme tell you why corner raised beds are totally worth considering
- They’re perfect for small spaces – use those awkward corners that’re just collecting junk!
- Your back will thank you – no more bending over like a pretzel while gardening
- Better drainage = happier plants
- Creates natural boundaries in your garden
- Perfect spots for vertical gardening
- You can customize them to match your style
Our Favorite Corner Raised Bed Designs
1. Classic L-Shaped Beds
This is probably the most popular design, and for good reason! L-shaped beds naturally hug your corner space and give you plenty of planting area We built ours using
- Cedar boards (naturally rot-resistant)
- Corner brackets for stability
- Multiple height levels for visual interest
2. Multi-Level Corner Gardens
These are like garden stairs and they look amazing! You can:
- Plant different crops at each level
- Create a cascading effect with trailing plants
- Use the height differences for better sun exposure
3. Spiral Corner Design
This is one of our more unique designs that always gets compliments:
- Starts wide at the bottom
- Spirals up toward the center
- Perfect for herbs and small vegetables
- Creates an artistic focal point
4. Budget-Friendly Options
Y’all don’t need to break the bank to have a gorgeous corner garden! Here are some wallet-friendly ideas:
- Planter Wall Blocks
- Super simple to install
- Cost under $75 for a basic setup
- No power tools needed
- Easy to expand later
- Galvanized Planters
- Last 20+ years
- Come in various sizes
- No construction needed
- Can be painted to match your style
- Repurposed Materials
- Old bathtubs (yeah, seriously!)
- Wooden pallets
- Leftover pavers or bricks
- Shipping crates
Materials to Consider
Here’s what we typically recommend:
Wood Options:
- Cedar (pricey but worth it)
- Redwood (naturally resistant)
- Pine (budget-friendly, treat it first)
- Composite lumber (long-lasting)
Other Materials:
- Stone or brick
- Concrete blocks
- Galvanized steel
- Aluminum frames
What to Plant in Your Corner Bed
Depending on your bed’s size and sunlight, try these:
Vegetables:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Lettuce
- Green beans
Flowers:
- Marigolds
- Zinnias
- Petunias
- Snapdragons
Herbs:
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Mint (in contained areas!)
Pro Tips from Our Experience
- Location Matters
- Check sunlight patterns
- Consider water access
- Think about viewing angles
- Soil Prep
- Use high-quality raised bed soil
- Mix in compost
- Add organic matter yearly
- Maintenance Tips
- Install drip irrigation if possible
- Mulch to retain moisture
- Regular weeding (sorry, it’s necessary!)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from our oopsies:
- Making beds too wide to reach the middle
- Forgetting about drainage
- Using untreated wood that’ll rot quickly
- Not leveling the ground first
Our Special Design Tips
Want your corner garden to really pop? Try these:
- Add Vertical Elements
- Trellises
- Plant supports
- Climbing plants
- Include Seating
- Built-in benches
- Garden stools
- Reading nooks
- Lighting Options
- Solar stake lights
- String lights
- Path lighting
DIY Corner Bed Project Steps
If you’re feeling handy, here’s a quick guide:
- Clear and level your corner area
- Lay out your design with string
- Install your chosen materials
- Add soil mix
- Plant your favorites
- Add mulch and irrigation
Corner raised garden beds are such a smart way to maximize your garden space! Whether you’re working with a tiny yard or just want to make better use of your corners, these ideas can help transform those forgotten spots into gorgeous, productive gardens.
Remember, gardening should be fun! Don’t stress too much about making everything perfect – sometimes the quirkiest gardens turn out to be the most charming.
Happy gardening, y’all! Drop a comment below if you’ve tried any of these ideas or have questions – I love hearing from fellow garden enthusiasts!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article in more detail?
Finishing the Garden Box
First I had to sand down the annoying grade stamps. And then I was able to get staining. I should mention that I used non-pressure-treated wood. This is not typically recommended, however, I wanted this done and didn’t want to have to wait for pressure-treated wood to dry out (which could take anywhere from weeks to months), so I used some Cabot Semi-Transparent Stain and Sealer in Pewter Gray and I’m just hoping for the best. I made sure to seal every side of the wood as well as the cut ends. I also used this stain on my address sign project.
Once I was done staining, I put the “box” in place. I didn’t attach it to the house, it’s basically just resting on the slab of concrete. 
We then began filling the raised garden bed. We filled it with mulch from the trees we had cut down last year. Once I had it in place, I realized it would look amazing with a second layer. So I quickly whipped u a smaller version of “the box”.
Rather than planting directly in the box, I kept the plants in their containers and just buried them in the mulch.
I “planted” some stonecrop and a ground cover in the raised garden bed (that I just can’t remember the name of at the moment, I’ll have to come back to that.) I also temporarily placed a boxwood in the corner, but my goal is to eventually add a water feature in its place.
But I love how this turned out, it’s so much better than looking at that ugly concrete hill.
A Closer Look at the Raised Bed Corners | Gardener’s Supply
FAQ
What vegetables should not be grown in a raised bed?
What is the cheapest way to make raised garden beds on a budget?
The cheapest way to make a good raised garden bed is to use recycled materials such as pallets, wooden crates, or old tires. You can also use cinder blocks or bricks to build the walls of the bed.
How to secure corners of raised garden bed?
By using cheap and simple brackets available at any hardware store you can add a little longevity to those raised beds in the vegetable garden and keep the raised bed corners intact longer. The corner brackets use multiple screws which help hold the wood together much better when pieces of the wood begin to rot.
What not to put in the bottom of a raised bed?
I Don’t Recommend Putting Wood Chips in the Bottom of Raised Garden Beds. Fresh wood chips can draw a lot of nitrogen from the soil, which can make the soil unideal for your vegetable plants.