This DIY round raised garden bed is an easy and affordable project that’s a perfect addition to any garden.
Square garden beds are all well and good, but sometimes we want something a little more curvaceous!
While the main rectangular bed will do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to vegetables, I’m thinking these raised round beds in the middle will hold some flowers and maybe some fruits as well.
I had considered building just one round bed and then putting a table and chairs next to it, but then I wondered how often we’d actually be sitting out there and decided more soil would be a better option.
Now, a round raised garden bed is easy peasy if you’re making it from corrugated sheet metal, but it’s a little harder if you want a cedar or treated pine garden bed. You could do the barrel technique and bevel the edges of each slat at some obscure angle and then fit them all together with a cooper’s ring. But that’s a huge pain in the butt involving lots of math and a table saw with a tilting blade. Just thinking about all those angles makes my head swim.
Or you could do it my way…the easy way! No angles, no bevels, just boards and a screwdriver.
Round raised garden beds are becoming increasingly popular for backyard vegetable gardening Their circular design provides a unique and aesthetically pleasing look compared to traditional square beds. Building a round raised bed yourself is also a relatively easy DIY project
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about constructing your own circular raised garden planters from planning to planting.
Benefits of Round Raised Beds
There are several advantages that round raised beds offer over rectangular designs
- Natural flowing shape is visually appealing and blends into landscape
- Makes use of awkward corner spaces more efficiently
- Continuous ring is easy to reach from all sides without stepping inside
- Can fit multiple beds close together to maximize space
- Shorter perimeter uses fewer boards and lower cost
- Easier access for those with disabilities or limited mobility
The curved edges also provide more planting space and their unique shape stands out, creating an interesting focal point in your yard.
How to Build a Round Raised Garden Bed
Constructing a round raised planter box is a straightforward DIY project. Here are the basic steps:
Planning
- Determine the diameter based on available space. Standard sizes are 3-6 feet across.
- Choose a material such as wood, metal, stone, etc. Rot-resistant wood like cedar is popular.
- Decide on height of sides. About 12-18 inches is typical.
- Pick a sunny, level location with access to water.
Cutting Boards
- For a 3 foot diameter bed, cut (3) 1×6 boards to 3 feet long. The number of boards equals the diameter.
- Having matching lengths makes assembly easier.
Assembling the Frame
- On a flat surface, arrange cut boards end-to-end into a ring.
- Drill pilot holes and screw boards together tightly using exterior screws.
- Add interior support braces if desired for extra stability.
Securing Shape
- Use rope, metal strapping, or acrylic sheet around exterior to hold the round shape during filling.
Setting Up
- Place ring in desired location, level, and lined with landscape fabric to prevent weeds.
- Fill 2/3 with good quality gardening soil and compost.
- Fill remainder with soil, tamping down firmly. Leave 1-2 inches from top.
And that covers the basic process for an easy DIY round raised bed! Now let’s look at some design variations.
Round Raised Garden Bed Design Ideas
There are many options when it comes to materials and finishes for unique DIY round planter boxes:
- Wood planks – Most common choice. Use naturally rot-resistant cedar or pine.
- Landscape timbers – Sturdy and long-lasting, perfect for edging curved beds.
- Stone – Use rocks, bricks, or pavers to create decorative edges.
- Concrete – For permanent beds, build curved forms.
- Stock tanks – Galvanized metal livestock tanks work great.
- Wine barrels – Cut barrels in half for instant curved raised beds.
- Bender board – Flexible plastic edging can be bent into circles.
- Hay bales – Easy and organic material for temporary round gardens.
Wood is inexpensive and offers the most flexibility for custom looks. Consider adding trellises, fencing, or railings around the beds to complement your landscape.
Staining, painting, or sealing the wood will protect and enhance the appearance while also customizing to match your home. Get creative with round raised bed materials!
Tips for Planting Round Raised Beds
The continuous curving shape provides both challenges and opportunities for planting:
- Focus taller plants like tomatoes, poles beans, and corn on the north side to avoid shading.
- Use short determinate vegetable varieties that won’t outgrow space.
- Include trailing vining plants like peas, cucumbers, and melons on trellises.
- Make use of center space by training vertically on a teepee or ring trellis.
- Use succession and interplanting to maximize production. Radishes give way to carrots.
- Mix flowers and herbs throughout beds to repel pests, attract pollinators, and for beauty.
- Don’t underestimate their productivity! Round raised beds offer lots of planting area.
Play around with different layouts and crop selections to find what works best for your circular raised garden.
Maintaining Round Raised Beds
Proper care and upkeep will keep your round raised planter boxes looking great while enabling plants to thrive:
- Amend soil with compost annually or each season.
- Use drip irrigation and mulch to conserve moisture while reducing weeds.
- Watch for pests like slugs that can spread quickly and treat early before infestations.
- Check for soil nutrient deficiencies and amend soil as needed.
- Edge the outer perimeter to prevent grass or weeds from creeping in.
- Protect from burrowing pests like gophers with hardware cloth underneath.
- Cover beds with plastic or fabric row covers in winter to extend the growing season.
With a little yearly maintenance and proper planting care, your DIY round raised beds will provide an abundant garden harvest!
As you can see, constructing your own circular raised planter boxes is an approachable weekend project for any DIY skill level. The materials are affordable and the process is straightforward.
In addition to productivity, the curving continuous design adds visual interest and a contemporary look to your landscape. Plus it’s just plain fun to have round beds!
With this beginner’s guide, you now have all the information you need to plan and build your own beautiful round raised garden beds for years of gardening enjoyment. Get out your tools and let’s make a circle garden!
Round Raised Garden Bed VIDEO Tutorial
Watch our short and fun video below for an overview of our round garden beds before you read the detailed step-by-step tutorial.
Before building the round raised beds, I first covered the interior space of my rectangle beds with weed barrier.
It was a hot and steamy morning. Normally I’d be in shorts, but after rolling out this weed cloth, I drove Handan to work in Destin so I could do some shopping at Home Depot and Lowe’s. Everything is 45 minutes away where we live.
As always, Penny was a tremendous help. She immediately found the hottest spot to warm her old bones.
Later that day I hammered in a bunch of landscape staples to keep the barrier in place.
DIY Round Raised Garden Bed SUPPLIES LIST
Affiliate links are provided below. Full disclosure here.
- 3/4x6x6 treated-pine fence pickets
- 5/8x6x6 cedar fence pickets (optional)
- Circular saw or miter saw
- Table saw
- Galvanized pipe hanger
- 3/4 inch brass screws
- Deck Stain (I used Cabot Heartwood)
DIY Round Metal Garden Raised Bed Within 20 Minutes
FAQ
Is it cheaper to build or buy a raised bed?
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Reddit · r/gardeninghttps://www.reddit.comBuild or buy a raised garden? – RedditJun 24, 2023 — I built one from scrap lumber and some old corrugated metal roofing from a shed I tore down a few years earlier. My brother liked it so much he buil…
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YouTube · The Gardening Channel With James Prigionihttps://www.youtube.comThe Ugly Truth about Raised Beds… – YouTubeApr 24, 2024 — one of the main main one is that it’s a lot more work and it takes a lot more skills. … and you want to save the money it’s a fantastic option. ..
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YouTube · Down To Earth With Jimhttps://m.youtube.comHow To Build A Raised Garden Bed – Cheap And Easy – YouTubeMar 16, 2025 — Raised garden beds can be expensive if you’re opting for the kits you can purchase online or in garden centres. They’re significantly cheaper to bui…
What vegetables should not be grown in a raised bed?
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Blackberries and Raspberries:These berry varieties benefit from beds that are 2 to 3 feet high because they are more sensitive to poor drainage and have large root systems.
How to plant a round garden bed?
Tie a string to the stake and use it to mark out a perfect circle. With an easy-to-move stake and a long piece of string, you can play around with size and location until you get it right. With your circle marked out, you can remove any grass or weeds and then turn and prepare the soil.
Is Lowe’s pressure treated wood safe for gardens?
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Older CCA treatment:Lumber treated with CCA was commonly used in the past but has since been phased out due to arsenic leaching concerns. Modern treatments address this issue.
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Newer Treatments (CA/ACQ):These treatments are considered safe for garden use because they use copper and a fungicide to protect the wood, but they don’t contain arsenic, so they don’t pose the same leaching risks, according to Fine Gardening.
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Benefits of Pressure-Treated Wood:Pressure-treated wood is durable, resistant to rot and insects, and can be a good option for long-lasting garden structures.
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Considerations:While modern pressure-treated wood is generally safe, some gardeners may prefer untreated wood like cedar or redwood for their raised beds to avoid any perceived risks from leaching.
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Precautions:If using pressure-treated wood, make sure it’s labeled as “ground contact” and not just “above-ground” for best performance and longevity.
How do you make a circular raised bed?
From rustic wood to modern metal edging, there are many ways to customize circular raised beds to suit your personal style and garden needs. Rustic tree rounds – Use cross-section tree slices as short garden bed walls. Add rope or branch rounds to hold in soil. Wood planks – Simple and classic. Use new or reclaimed lumber, treated or untreated.
What is a raised garden bed?
Raised garden beds are a popular way to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers. The contained design makes them easy to care for and provides better drainage. While most DIY garden beds have a basic rectangular shape, round raised beds offer a unique look that can add visual interest to your backyard or patio.
Are round raised garden beds a good idea?
While most DIY garden beds have a basic rectangular shape, round raised beds offer a unique look that can add visual interest to your backyard or patio. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore how to make round raised garden beds yourself, from simple construction tips to material ideas.
How do you build a raised bed?
This 2-foot by 8-foot, 10.5-inch deep raised bed kit comes ready to build. Just slide the side rails into the slotted corner posts and screw the tops in place and your raised bed frame is ready to fill with soil. These kits can also be double-stacked for a 21-inch deep garden. Raised bed garden soil is sold separately.
Can you build a raised bed garden?
Building one is an easy DIY project that you can complete in a day or two. Raised bed garden plans come in all shapes and sizes to fit almost any space, and they can include conveniences like benches, trellises, or cages to support and protect sensitive plants. Follow along as we take a look at some of the best elevated planter box plans available.
How do you make a garden bed?
Rustic tree rounds – Use cross-section tree slices as short garden bed walls. Add rope or branch rounds to hold in soil. Wood planks – Simple and classic. Use new or reclaimed lumber, treated or untreated. Bender board – Flexible plastic edging bent into circles of varying sizes. Fasten ends together.