How We Upgraded Our Wooden Raised Beds to Durable Birdies Raised Beds
Switching to Birdies Raised Metal Garden Beds
Our untreated pine garden beds lasted about three and a half years before they started rotting. We didn’t want chemicals in the garden, so untreated wood seemed like the best choice—but over time, it just couldn’t hold up. When a sale came up on Epic Gardening Birdies beds, we knew it was the perfect time to upgrade.
Why We Switched from Wooden Beds to Birdies Raised Beds
Wooden raised beds are inexpensive and easy to build, but they come with one major drawback: short lifespan and high maintenance. After just a few seasons, ours became soft, unstable, and unattractive. Constant repairs were no longer worth it.
Birdies raised beds offered the perfect solution. Here’s why we chose them:
- Durable Aluzinc Steel: The beds are made from cold-rolled aluzinc steel, which is heat-resistant and seven times more resistant to rust and corrosion than standard metal. This means they can withstand sun, rain, and freezing temperatures without warping or rotting. Aluzinc steel is different than Galvanized steel. You can learn more about Aluzinc steel here.
- Safe & Sturdy Edges: The smooth top edges protect both the structure and gardeners’ hands, giving a clean, safe finish. See Pro tip below.
Pro tip: Install the safety edging before adding any soil. It makes assembly much easier, safer, and ensures your beds are fully protected. Don’t make the same mistake we did!We made the mistake of not installing the safety edging before filling the bed with soil. Trying to attach it afterward was much harder than we expected—it was a real challenge to work around the soil and panels!
- Non-Toxic, Food-Safe Coating: The paint is USDA-approved and completely safe for vegetables, fruits, and herbs—so nothing harmful leaches into your soil.
- Modular Design: Each kit comes with panels that can be configured in multiple ways to fit your garden space. Corner panels, bracing kits, and included hardware make assembly straightforward while keeping the beds extra sturdy.
With these features, Birdies beds are designed to last 20+ years, giving us a low-maintenance, functional, and beautiful garden upgrade.
Step-by-Step: How We Replaced Wooden Beds with Birdies Beds
We did run into a few issues with the switch mainly due to uneven land in our garden space. My husband had to get creative with one of the beds so that it fit properly in the prior garden bed space. You can see him describe this in the YouTube video above. Here’s exactly how we made the switch:
- Removed the old wooden beds
- We left most of the soil in place. Using a shovel, we dug back the dirt 7–12 inches from the edges, piling it into the middle or onto a tarp. Then we carefully lifted out the old frames.
- Prepared the ground
- We laid down landscape fabric and added a layer of gravel to improve drainage and help level the beds.
- Assembled the Birdies beds
- The beds were built from panels in our garage and then placed in the garden. Bracing kits and corner panels ensured everything was stable. Estimated assembly time: about 45 minutes per bed.
- Level and secure
- One part of the garden wasn’t level, so we used retaining wall rocks and gravel to build it up. Landscape fabric and a small drainage pipe helped carry away excess water.
- Backfilled with soil
- Once the beds were in place, we carefully returned the soil, smoothed it out, and the beds were ready to plant.
Results After One Growing Season
After just one season, we’ve seen incredible improvements:
✅ Improved drainage – Gravel and fabric ensure water moves efficiently.
✅ Sleek, modern look – Slate gray Birdies beds complement our house and streamline the garden.
✅ Durability – The steel construction means no more rotting, splitting, or warping.
✅ Compatibility – Our existing trellises and Drip Depot irrigation system work perfectly with the new setup.
The biggest surprise? The garden feel like a true extension of our home. We love the slate gray color! But the beds do come in other colors that may suit your taste.
Bonus Tools to Maximize Space
To get the most out of our Birdies beds, we pair them with:
- GreenStalk Vertical planters – Grow upwards to save ground space.
- Grow bags – Perfect for root crops like potatoes or extra plantings like blueberries.
- Seed trays – Start your own plants from seed to save money and control quality.
These tools make it easy to maximize yields and garden efficiently.
Are Birdies Beds Worth It?
For us it is a resounding: Yes! After one season, we’re thrilled with our Birdies beds. We traded constant repairs and short lifespan for durable, low-maintenance beds that will last decades.
👉 Ready to upgrade your garden? Check out Birdies’ modular raised garden beds.
Current Sale & Discount Code:
- Birdies beds are currently 25% off, or Buy 2, Get 1 Free.
- Use our discount code MGG5 for additional savings—even during sales!
- My discount code is active all year long, and you can even stack it on top of current sales for extra savings.
Let me know if you have any questions about our experience. If you’d like to see us explain all this in video form, you can watch it here. Happy Gardening!
xoxo Michelle
