Small raised beds can transform compact city plots and balcony gardens – expert advice for the best shapes and plants to maximize growing potential

A small garden shouldn't be a barrier to big growing ideas, and one of the best ways of maximizing a compact yard or balcony is to incorporate small raised beds for compact gardens.

Raised bed garden ideas can be made to measure for the space you have, and include everything from flowers and edibles to dwarf shrubs and fruit trees, so you can plan a yard that has plenty of visual impact, whatever its size.

Small really can be beautiful when it comes to the garden, so here are our top raised bed ideas perfect for transforming a small space.

Small raised bed ideas for compact gardens

I have grown flowers and edibles in raised beds of various sizes for years, avoiding the most common raised bed gardening mistakes, and they are fantastic assets where space is tight or if your yard soil is poor.

Whether you have a small front yard, a courtyard garden, sunny patio or balcony, you can find a raised bed option to add to your small garden layout ideas.

Best raised bed shapes for a small space

Raised beds come in many shapes and designs, but if space is an issue you need to maximize every last inch without creating a cluttered, messy look.

Square or rectangular beds fit neatly into small areas without wasting space and can be used to make a courtyard garden look bigger.

Corner beds really make the most of the space you have. This L-shaped galvanized metal planter on Amazon gives plenty of room for growing, and this two-tier wooden bed system on Amazon adds a vertical dimension, drawing the eye upwards to create a feeling of height.

Turn your small raised beds into multifunctional growing spaces

Every inch of a small garden or balcony must be made to count, so think about vertical growing and also consider 'extras' you can add to your raised beds to transform them from simple growing spaces to multifunctional assets.

Pre-made beds with trellises attached, like this freestanding Happygrill planter on Amazon let you grow upwards, with side supports and an overhead facility for hanging baskets.

The added supports are ideal for climbing plants such as roses, potted honeysuckle and clematis as well as annuals such as sweet peas and black eyed Susan.

Trellis beds work well on balconies as they can be positioned to provide privacy and block noise.

You could also consider incorporating seating into your raised bed ideas to create a small outdoor living room.

This weather-resistant Giantex 3-in-1 outdoor bench on Amazon would look fabulous along the edge of a courtyard, patio or balcony. It is not only great for guests, but also lets you take a breather while tending your plot.

A small water feature, fountain or wildlife pond adds the soothing sound of trickling water to a small space and encourages wildlife to visit. We like this small ceramic fish fountain on Amazon.

One of the problems facing small gardens and balconies can be access to sunlight, although there are many plants that will grow on a shaded balcony.

You can get around a lack on sunlight by opting for a raised bed on wheels, like this handy self-watering version on Amazon, that lets you follow the sun as it moves around your growing space.

It is wide and deep enough for growing and has a handy storage shelf underneath to help keep your garden tidy. The irrigation feature reduces the amount of watering you will need to do during the summer, though an attractive rain pot situated in a corner of your yard would be an on-trend way of harvesting water.

The best materials for small raised beds

When considering the best raised bed materials to use, bear in mind that you don’t want anything too large or heavy.

Galvanized metal beds, like these at Gardening Know How, are elegant, and come in a range of colors, styles and and sizes.

Composite material beds are made from wood fibre and plastic and are long-tasting. They are often lightweight, ideal for balconies, and can be bought in ready-to-assemble kits.

I like these wicker-effect planters on Amazon that are durable and timeless and give plenty of scope for plants of all sizes.

Wood is the traditional material for raised beds and will give a courtyard garden or small front yard a more rustic, cottage garden aesthetic, but it may be too cumbersome and heavy for a balcony. Sourcing DIY alternatives such as palettes is a cheap and popular way of adding an individual look to your yard.

Where space is very tight you could consider planters that attach to walls or balcony railings, like these coco-lined traditional planters on Amazon.

They may not be raised beds per se, and you won't be able to grow large plants, but they are suitable for growing colorful annuals and perennials, herbs and some fruit and vegetables such as strawberries and trailing tomatoes.

Best flowers to plant in small raised beds

Although there are some plants that should never be grown in a small raised bed because of their size and spread or invasiveness, many varieties are well suited, so you won't be missing out.

Raised beds are ideal for growing a cutting garden of blooms suitable for flower arrangements, because their compact size means that the flower rows are easily accessible for harvesting.

Easy annual flowers for arrangements such as cosmos, zinnias, sweet peas, ammi, phlox and sunflowers are well suited and will brighten a small yard or balcony. Sunflowers and sweet peas trained up canes or an attractive metal support, like this obelisk on Amazon will also draw the eye up and add height.

Spring bulbs are always a wise investment as they bring color and cheer after the winter and thrive in well-drained raised beds. There are other varieties to create a high-impact display all year round - snowdrops, daffodils and tulips, alliums, canna lilies and fall-flowering nerines mean you are spoilt for choice!

Small spaces are great places for growing scented plants, as their perfume will be contained and will linger longer. Choice varieties include fragrant bulbs such as hyacinths and lilies, miniature roses, sweet peas, night scented stocks, small fragrant shrubs such as Daphne and winter-scented plants for year-round perfume.

If you want to create a small wildlife garden, consider some of the best container plants for pollinators, choosing varieties that will feed these essential garden visitors from spring right through to the fall.

Clump-forming coneflowers and long-flowering dahlias are good options, and will do especially well in the warmer soil and improved drainage available in a raised bed.

Delicate varieties of ornamental grass are another option. They create movement and texture, add winter interest, can be used in small scale prairie garden schemes and work well as screening to provide privacy on balconies.

Best edibles to grow in small raised beds

A small garden, courtyard or balcony is no reason to discard your kitchen garden ideas.

The best vegetables to grow in containers will also thrive in a raised bed, as will compact scented herb garden plants, You can also adapt some patio vegetable garden ideas.

Runner beans and sugar snap peas will scramble up canes without using too much room, and quick-growing bush beans can be harvested 6-7 weeks after planting, freeing up the bed for other crops later in the season.

Because the soil in raised beds is slightly warmer than border soil, it is perfect for growing chillies and peppers that hate having 'cold feet' and often need frost protection like these Agfabric plant covers on Amazon.

To maximize your space, plant and grow zucchini and squashes vertically and use the soil underneath for leafy veg such as kale, spinach, collard greens and colorful Swiss chard. Raised beds are perfect for growing brassicas (members of the cabbage family) because their size means the plants are easy to protect from pests using fleece or netting.

Currant bushes are another option, and there are many dwarf fruit trees that grow well in small gardens.

I grow alpine strawberries and cut-and-come-again lettuce as well as asparagus and herbs such as arugula at the ends of mine, with onions, garlic and shallots, tomatoes and eggplants in the middle.

Don't forget to add some companion plants such as calendula and nasturtiums to our raised bed - they will attract pollinators, deter some unwanted minibeasts and also bring in insects that prey on garden pests.

FAQs

What plants should I avoid in small raised beds?

It is best to avoid plants that need a lot of space to grow well or that sprawl over a wide area. Raspberries, tayberries and blackberries can become unruly and tangled - and their thorns can be a problem in a small garden.

Invasive herbs such as mint and lemon balm, though lovely to grow, can take over a whole bed, so grow them separately in smaller pots.

Although you need to carefully consider where your small raised bed will go and find the best place to put it, this can be a sustainable and attractive way of adding growing space to a compact yard and balcony.

Raised beds allow gardeners to maximize the space available, and open up the opportunity to grow many varieties of plants for color, scent and food.