Hopkins Raised Garden Beds Review: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying

If you’ve been thinking about adding raised beds to your garden, you know how overwhelming the choices can be. There are so many companies out there, and unfortunately, a lot of them sell flimsy beds made overseas with thin metal and unclear instructions.

That’s why I’m so excited to share about the new raised beds we just set up from Hopkins Raised Garden Beds (formerly Hopkins Homestead, now RaisedGarden.com). These are hands-down the highest quality raised beds I’ve ever put together, and I want to walk you through everything you need to know before you buy.

Who Makes Hopkins Raised Garden Beds?

Hopkins is a small, family-owned business based in the Ozarks of Missouri. Kris, Kalitta, and Kadyn started their company back in 2018 with the goal of making raised beds that are strong, practical, and built to last.

They don’t just sell beds, they actually test them out on their own homestead. From honeybees to chickens to aquaponics, their farm is full of projects that help them refine their products before they ever reach your garden.

What I love most is that everything is USA-made, from the heavy-gauge steel panels to the shipping boxes. Supporting them means you’re not only getting a great product, but you’re also helping sustain American manufacturing and small business.

How Long Do Hopkins Raised Beds Last?

These raised beds are built with 22-gauge galvanized steel side panels, which is two to three times thicker than most competitors. The corners and connecting pieces are even heavier-duty 12-gauge steel.

Most companies will tell you their beds last 15–20 years. Hopkins says theirs will likely outlast the gardener. And honestly, after assembling and seeing them in person, I believe it.

Hopkins Raised Garden Bed Sizes and Options

Here are the current raised bed kits you can choose from:

• 42″ x 42″ Raised Garden Bed Kit
  
  • 12 sq. ft. of growing space, 18” depth
    
  • Optional wood bracket kit for a sturdy bench (400–800 lb. capacity)
    
• 42″ x 84″ Raised Garden Bed Kit
  
  • 24 sq. ft. of growing space, 18” depth
    
  • Optional wood bracket kit for bench seating
    
  • This is the size we chose, we bought six of them and they are incredible.
    
• 24″ x 84″ Wall Hugger Garden Bed Kit
  
  • 14 sq. ft. of growing space, 18” depth
    
  • Perfect for smaller spaces or lining against a wall
    
  • Optional wood bracket kit for bench seating
    
• Garden Bed Stacking Kit
  
  • Lets you stack two beds for a 36” tall raised bed or create a stair-step look
    
• Garden Bed Wood Bracket Kit
  
  • Allows you to add professional-looking benches on top of your beds

You can check out all their options at RaisedGarden.com and use the discount code “Audrey” for 5% off.

How to Assemble Hopkins Raised Garden Beds (Our Experience)

One of the things that frustrates me most about products today is poor instructions. So many garden items come from overseas, are packaged poorly, and are a complete headache to put together.

I can picture the look of disgust from my dad and my husband every time I’ve asked for their help with something that had 20 pages of directions and mostly pictures with no clear written words. Let’s just say, those were not the most fun times (haha)!

But these beds were the total opposite. 

Everything arrived perfectly packed, the hardware was all there, and the instructions were super clear and easy to follow. My husband and I had one bed put together in about 30 minutes (not including the optional wood brackets, which we’ll add later in the garden).

And once we got the first bed put together and knew the routine we had the next one assembled even quicker. I can honestly say they were a joy to assemble. And how often do you hear that about garden equipment?

Caring for the Beds

Galvanized steel holds up incredibly well outdoors. For the most part, you don’t need to do anything. If you ever notice bird droppings, stains, or plant matter stuck to the sides, just hose them off.

The only thing to avoid is letting high-acid fruits like tomatoes rot against the steel, as that can eventually damage the coating. But as long as you’re harvesting your crops and not letting piles of tomatoes sit and decay, you’ll be fine.

Bulk Orders

If you’re planning a big garden expansion, Hopkins does offer a bulk discount. Ordering 10 or more beds ships as a freight delivery, which makes it more cost effective and easier to unload.

My Final Thoughts

After assembling these Hopkins raised garden beds, I can say without hesitation that they’re worth the investment. They’re thicker, stronger, and better made than any other metal raised beds I’ve seen and they come from a family-run business that truly cares about quality.

If you’re tired of flimsy raised beds that warp, rust, or fall apart after just a few seasons, these will feel like a dream. I’m so glad we made the switch, and I can’t wait to see our garden thrive in them.

You can check out all their options at RaisedGarden.com and use the discount code “Audrey” for 5% off.

Next Resources for Raised Bed Gardening

If you’re getting started with raised beds, here are a few resources you might find helpful:

• How to Fill Raised Beds the Right Way
  
• Raised Bed Gardening Masterclass – a step-by-step course that walks you through building, filling, planting, and maintaining your raised beds for long-term success.

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