Corten Steel Raised Bed Custom Made with Snail Protection Edge – External Flange, Welded

On this model the double-folded top edge is turned outward and measures 30 × 20 mm (2 mm sheet), 40 × 25 mm (3 mm), 45 × 35 mm (4 mm) or 60 × 40 mm (5 mm), depending on the sheet thickness. Slugs crawling up the smooth steel wall therefore run into an overhang they would have to negotiate upside down – and most of them fail at it. This acts as a mechanical barrier all the way around the bed, entirely without slug pellets, copper tape or chemicals, and it also creates a small ledge to lean on while planting and tending. Important: overhanging plants or objects leaning against the bed can serve as a bridge for slugs – it is best to keep the edge clear.

No. The raised bed is delivered as a single unit, factory-welded at all four corners. There are no screws, no individual parts, and no assembly materials. You unpack it, position it at the desired location, and fill it. Shipping is by freight carrier. Plan for a second person when setting it up – depending on the dimensions and sheet thickness, a bed can be quite heavy; large versions in 5 mm weigh considerably more than compact ones in 2 mm.

You configure the length (40–240 cm), width (40–120 cm), and height (40–110 cm) freely in 10 cm increments. As a rule of thumb: a width of 60 to 100 cm, so you can comfortably reach the middle of the bed from both sides. With a working height of 80 to 90 cm, you can garden standing up without bending; 40 to 60 cm works well on patios and balconies or as a low bed border. Plan for access from at least two sides. Note that the width cannot be greater than the length, and all figures are external dimensions in the order length × width × height.

Without a bottom, the bed is in open contact with the ground below. On lawns and garden soil, this is ideal: rainwater drains away and soil organisms migrate in from below. It also works on solid surfaces such as patios or balconies, as long as excess water can drain off. In that case, first add a drainage layer of coarse gravel or expanded clay about 10 cm deep, then a fleece as a separating layer, and only then the soil. This prevents waterlogging.

It is not necessary – the bed also works without a lining. However, a layer of dimpled membrane or polystyrene offers two advantages: it insulates the soil in winter and buffers heat from outside in summer. It also prevents direct contact between the metal and permanently moist soil, which further extends the service life.

The raised bed is delivered steel-gray or already partially rusted. The patina develops solely through weathering and is fully formed after about 1.5 to 3 years. In the early period, rust-tinted water may drip off and leave stains. It is therefore best to place the bed on a non-sensitive surface such as gravel, lawn, or stone slabs. On light-colored, sensitive surfaces, a mat or foil placed underneath helps at first.

Yes. On its own, the noble-rust patina forms within about 1.5 to 3 years – with a rust accelerator such as the RustIT+ rust activator it takes just a few days. Here is how it works: the surface must be dry and free of grease and dust (wipe off fingerprints with a little denatured alcohol, cover sensitive floors). Then spray the activator evenly onto all visible surfaces – wearing gloves and safety glasses. The first rust formation appears after a few hours; for an even, rich patina, repeat the application after 24 hours. Rain and sun then deepen the color on their own, and the protective effect of the patina is fully retained.

Yes. Corten steel is non-toxic and suitable for growing vegetables and herbs. The patina consists of natural rust compounds and does not release any harmful substances. The material is also 100 percent recyclable and requires no paint or coating.

You do not have to choose the sheet thickness yourself – we derive it from the length, because soil pressure on the side walls increases with it: lengths of 40 to 70 cm are made in 2 mm, 80 to 140 cm in 3 mm, 150 to 190 cm in 4 mm, and 200 to 240 cm in 5 mm. The respective price already includes the appropriate thickness; there is no surcharge. In addition, the closed body, welded all around, distributes the soil pressure across one continuous system, making it considerably more dimensionally stable than a bolted kit. A horizontal stiffening profile supports the side walls from the inside, and the double-folded top edge reinforces the upper rim.

The top edge is always double-folded, but its dimensions depend on the sheet thickness – and that in turn depends on the length of your bed. With 2 mm sheet (length 40–70 cm) the fold measures 30 × 20 mm, with 3 mm (80–140 cm) 40 × 25 mm, with 4 mm (150–190 cm) 45 × 35 mm and with 5 mm (200–240 cm) 60 × 40 mm, in each case width × height. The reason is structural: a larger folded profile has a higher section modulus and gives better support to the longer, more heavily loaded side wall. You do not have to select anything – the matching fold is already included in the price of each size combination.

That depends on the dimensions and sheet thickness: the range extends from around 13 kg for the smallest bed (40 × 40 × 40 cm, 2 mm) to about 336 kg for the largest (240 × 120 × 110 cm, 5 mm). Typical examples: a bed measuring 100 × 60 × 80 cm in 3 mm weighs around 67 kg, one measuring 200 × 100 × 80 cm in 5 mm around 209 kg. Delivery is by freight carrier on a pallet. For setting up large beds, it is best to plan for two to four people – the bed is always carried empty and only filled at its final location.

The classic layered structure from coarse to fine has proven itself: at the bottom, a layer of coarse tree and shrub cuttings as drainage (approx. 20–30 cm), then upside-down turf, leaves, and green cuttings, followed by mature compost, and on top 15–20 cm of high-quality potting soil. The lower layers decompose over the years, generating nutrients and some warmth as they slowly settle – simply top up with compost and soil each year. For low beds on patios or balconies, a drainage layer of expanded clay or gravel with a fleece on top plus potting soil is sufficient.

Each raised bed is individually manufactured to your desired dimensions after ordering – production in Germany usually takes 2 to 3 weeks. The fully welded bed is then securely packaged on a pallet and delivered to you by freight carrier. Since there is no assembly, the bed is ready for use immediately upon delivery: set it up, align it, fill it.