10 Reasons You Should Not Buy A Raised Bed Kit

Introduction

Bad Gnome Filling a cheap metal raised bed
Bad Gnome Filling a cheap metal raised bed

Hello garden enthusiasts, Bad Gnome here. I see all this buzz about raised bed kits and I can’t help but grumble. What’s wrong with good ol’ DIY? Today, I’ll share ten reasons why you should not buy a raised bed kit.


1. They’re Darn Expensive

Metal Raised Bed Garden Full of Coins
Metal Raised Bed Garden Full of Coins

Raised bed kits are a waste of good money. You’re essentially paying for a box and a set of instructions. You know what costs less? Buying your own materials and building the bed yourself!


Rows of identical raised bed kits
Rows of identical raised bed kits

Every kit is the same. Where’s the creativity, the individuality? Do you want your garden to look like every other one on the block? I thought not.


3. Plastic vs. Metal

Many kits are made of plastic or metal. Plastic breaks down in the sun and isn’t too friendly to the environment. Metal, on the other hand, heats up in the sun, which might not be best for your plants.


4. Size Matters

Raised bed kits come in a fixed size. What if you have specific needs or space limitations? Building your own means you can tailor it perfectly to your garden.


5. Limited Shape Options

Bad Gnome tending to a hexagonal shaped raised bed garden
Bad Gnome tending to a hexagonal shaped raised bed garden

Kits are usually square or rectangular. But what if you fancy a circular, hexagonal or heart-shaped bed? DIY is the way to go.


6. Questionable Durability

Those kits aren’t built to last. Many are flimsy and fall apart after a season or two. DIY beds, on the other hand, can stand the test of time.


7. Lining, Lining, Lining

Most kits don’t come with a liner. Adding one can help deter pests and prevent wood decay – but that’s another expense and hassle to deal with.


8. Less Than Stellar Materials

A raised bed kit with poor quality materials
A raised bed kit with poor quality materials

Some kits use subpar materials. You might find yourself dealing with cracked plastic, splintering wood, or rusting metal. Do it yourself and you can pick top-notch materials.


9.Portability Issues

Easy to move raised bed construction
Easy to move raised bed construction

Once a kit is assembled, it’s hard to move. If you build your own bed, you can make it more portable. That way, you can easily relocate your bed if need be.


10. Robbing You of the DIY Satisfaction

Bad Gnome Working on a Raised Bed Garden
Bad Gnome Working on a Raised Bed Garden

Lastly, building your own raised beds is gratifying. When you stand back and look at your creation, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment you just won’t get from assembling a kit.


Conclusion

Raised bed kits? No thanks. I’d rather grab some timber, get my hands dirty, and build a garden bed that suits my needs and lasts for seasons. Now get off my lawn and go build your own raised garden bed, I am trying to enjoy a beer right now!

Yours truly,

Bad Gnome

Keywords: Raised bed kits, DIY raised garden beds, garden tips, Bad Gnome’s garden advice, plastic versus metal garden beds, lining a raised bed, DIY satisfaction.

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