Steel Gardens

Perks: because of its narrow footprint, steel is perfect for narrow spaces. Steel also has a sleek, modern look. The best perk about steel? It literally lasts a lifetime. Plan on passing your steel garden boxes down in your will. Downside: steel is more expensive than cedar.

Raw steel is the least expensive steel option. This type of steel rusts and patinas over time which makes it very forgiving. If you’ve got kids, dogs, or a lot of traffic near your garden, this type steel is a great choice.