I need to replace 3 of my raised beds because the wood had gone bad. I want the kind of raised bed that sits on the ground and is square.

I am trying to decide what is the best material for raised beds. Wood, plastic, or metal? Would metal be ok to use for vegetables or does it get rusty? Would a plastic one crack in the cold? Which one would last the longest? I live in nebraska and it is very cold in the winter.

Redwood or cedar wood last the longest without going with pressure treated. Plastic becomes brittle, some metal ones are good but you have to make sure they aren't flimsy and that they are galvanized steel or they will rust. Plus metal heats up more so the soil will be hotter than if surrounded by wood.

This method is really easy to manage. All from home depot.

I use cheap untreated wood and will just replace as needed.

best pic I had, just pulled some broccoli plants from here

I used railroad ties to surround my flower and part of my vegetable gardens.
They last a long time but you have still be picky.
Some of mine are still totally solid, made the mistake of sitting on one awhile back and now have take some gasoline to get the pine tar out of my shorts, while others now have huge gaps with weeds growing out of them, or simply falling apart.
I will replace them this and next year but I put them in twenty years ago.

@jkayroberts82
Different zone but I had untreated (because of growing vegies) hardwood that finally rotted. It was time to replace so I went with metal beds. They were easy to install and have a cross brace to support the sides.

https://www.northerntool.com/s... I did catch them on sale off season and free shipping.

Due to space I chose 3 x 6 size but other sizes are available. I have gradually replaced 6 of the wood sided beds and hope to do the 7th one this fall.

I hadn't realized how many slugs/snails the wood beds were providing shelter for.

Even in this climate, I don't find the metal sides to be too hot. It might warm the soil earlier in springtime but I suspect the reflective side keeps the soil cooler.

I found an old waterbed frame out in the shed that's worked for the last 6 years, although I did replace an end with a 2x10. The rest of it is still good and solid.

Back in 2005 I made 4 4x4 raised beds with left over composite lumber from a deck I had built. 16 years later they're still going strong.

What a good idea to use a waterbed frame. The only thing that crossed my mind was a king size would be difficult to access the middle. That is a really good recycling idea.

The waterbed frame is a queen size and it is too large to access the middle so I placed a piece of narrow carpet down the middle and use it as a walkway so I'm really planting on the outside edges.