Do Metal Raised Garden Beds Need a Bottom?

If you're planning to set up a metal raised garden bed, you might be wondering: Do I need a bottom for it?

The short answer is: It depends. Most metal raised beds don’t come with a bottom, and that’s often a good thing. If you need an extra bottom for your balcony, you may need to find another material for the bottom.

A major feature of the metal raised beds is bottomless, which effectively maintains the permeability of the soil, prevents pests and diseases, and also provides more space for plant roots to stretch. Let’s view the detailed guide now.

bottomless metal raised garden beds put on the grass

Why Most Raised Beds Don’t Have a Bottom

Better Drainage

Without a bottom, water can drain naturally. This prevents waterlogging, which can drown plant roots or cause them to rot. Plus, it ensures your plants get enough oxygen for healthy growth.

More Room for Roots

A bottomless raised garden bed gives plant roots plenty of space to spread out and grow deeper. This is especially important for vegetables like carrots or potatoes that need extra room underground.

Durability

When a metal raised bed with a bottom sits directly on the soil, the bottom can rust over time due to moisture and soil microbes. But if you use a bottomless metal raised bed, you could avoid this issue altogether. Vegega’s metal raised beds, for example, use a high-quality anti-rust coating (Zn-Al-Mg stainless steel) to protect the sides, but leaving the bottom open adds extra durability.

Guess you may want to know how metal raised garden bed colors affect soil temperature.

3.5x2 Corrugated Raised Garden Bed assembly method

corrugated raised garden bed growing with flowers-Vegega

corrugated raised garden bed grows potatoes-Vegega

17-inch garden raised bed moss green-Vegega

17-inch metal garden raised bed green-Vegega

corrugated raised garden beds grow various flowers

17" Tall 3.5x2 Corrugated Raised Garden Bed (2 in 1)【Upgrade 2.0】

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Our corrugated raised garden bed is ideal for growing herbs or small fruit trees. The corrugated raised beds absorb the sunlight, making the soil warm up faster in early spring, allowing seeds to germinate earlier and planting to begin earlier.

Benefits of 17" tall Corrugated Raised Garden Bed

Durable in Use

The corrugated raised garden beds are made of high-quality materials such as corrosion-resistant metals or strong Zn-Al-Mg steel. The tough steel-made metal garden beds are effective in handling harsh weather conditions. This durable design ensures that the bed is not prone to rust. This means that users can replace their beds infrequently, reducing maintenance costs and hassles.

Long Service Life

The elevated design of the raised bed provides more depth and space in the soil, helping to improve water retention. The 17" height allows the root system to expand into deeper layers of soil, gaining access to more nutrients and oxygen. Additionally, the elevated design helps maintain the temperature of the soil so that it is less likely to freeze in cold weather and overheat in hot weather.

Better Drainage

The 17" tall corrugated raised garden bed effectively improves soil drainage. The bottomless design avoids water pooling in the soil after rain or watering, preventing root rot problems caused by waterlogging. Good drainage helps maintain proper soil moisture levels while avoiding root disease and plant growth problems associated with standing water. This design ensures that the soil remains moderately moist, providing a healthy growing environment.

Pest Control

Because the corrugated garden bed is high off the ground, it effectively reduces plant infestations by ground pests. Many common pests, such as ants, snails, and subterranean bugs, have a harder time climbing this high. This design reduces exposure to pests, reduces damage to plants, and reduces reliance on chemical pesticides.

All of these benefits combine to make the corrugated raised garden bed an ideal gardening tool. And it also provides growers with a durable, long-lasting, comfortable, and efficient growing solution.

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When Should You Choose a Metal Raised Bed With a Bottom?

While bottomless raised beds work well in most cases, there are times when adding a bottom makes sense:

Pest Control: A solid bottom can keep burrowing pests like gophers, moles, and slugs out of your garden. If you live in an area with lots of critters, this might be a game-changer. But now, Vegega has launched a stainless steel gopher wire to deter burrowing pests like gophers, moles, voles, and rats from entering your garden bed.
Soil Erosion Prevention: In sloped areas or during heavy rains, a bottom can help keep your soil in place. But if you use a bottomless bed, only if it sits firmly on the slope, the soil won't leak out either.

infographic of Vegega stainless steel gopher wire highlights

Pros and Cons of Raised Beds With a Bottom

Pros

Keeps pests out
Works on any surface
Prevents soil erosion Easy to move

Cons

Poor drainage if not designed well
Can trap excess water
Smaller root space for plants
Higher cost

Tips for Adding a Bottom to Metal Raised Bed

If you decide to add a bottom for your metal raised beds, here’s how to do it right:

1. Choose the Right Material: Use durable, rust-resistant materials like galvanized steel or aluminum. Avoid untreated wood, as it can rot over time.
2. Ensure Proper Drainage: Drill small holes in the bottom to let excess water escape. Without drainage, your plants could drown.
3. Layer Gravel or Rocks: Place a layer of gravel or rocks at the bottom before adding soil. This improves drainage and prevents soil compaction.

Bottomless vs. With Bottom: Which Should You Choose?

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Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

Go Bottomless If:

You’re placing the bed on soil.
You want better drainage and root growth.
You’re looking for a cost-effective option.

Add a Bottom If:

You’re gardening on a balcony and want to keep it tiny.
You need to keep small pests out.
You’re dealing with sloped terrain and heavy rains.

Conclusion

Whether or not to add a bottom to your metal raised garden bed depends on your specific needs. Bottomless raised garden beds are great for natural drainage and root growth, while garden beds with a bottom are ideal for hard surfaces and pest control.

At Vegega, we recommend starting with a bottomless design unless you have a specific reason to add one. And if you do need a bottom, make sure to prioritize drainage and durability. Also here is an article about the comparison of metal raised beds vs wooden raised beds.