At Deep Roots, every raised garden bed we build is made from Eastern red cedar. We chose it because it performs beautifully outdoors and it can be a responsible wood choice when it’s harvested and used thoughtfully. This makes our raised beds sustainable, durable, attractive and affordable.
High-performing, naturally durable wood for outdoor use
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is widely considered a sustainable material because it grows relatively quickly, tolerates drought, and naturally resists insects and decay. Those built-in defenses come from aromatic oils in the wood—meaning cedar can last a long time outside without relying on heavy chemical treatments. For garden beds, that durability matters: longer-lasting lumber means fewer replacements over time, which reduces material use and waste.
Just as important, harvesting Eastern red cedar can actively help some landscapes. In many regions, especially where cedar has become overgrown, selective thinning opens up sunlight and space for native grasses and wildflowers. That can improve wildlife habitat, reduce competition that crowds out other plants, and in certain settings lower wildfire risk by breaking up dense stands. When land managers treat cedar expansion as part of broader restoration, using the harvested wood in long-lived products (like raised beds) is one way to make that work more efficient and less wasteful.
Well Managed Eastern cedar is a win-win
Sustainability also means being honest about tradeoffs. In parts of the Great Plains and other grassland ecosystems, Eastern red cedar can spread aggressively if it isn’t managed. Dense stands may suppress grasslands and can draw significant water in already-dry areas, affecting springs, streams, and water tables. Managing cedar responsibly can take real effort—mechanical removal and prescribed fire require planning, expertise, and funding.
The good news is that “managed well” cedar can be a win-win: it supports land stewardship goals while providing a high-performing, naturally durable wood for outdoor use. And when leftover branches or biomass can’t be used as lumber, innovative approaches—like converting it into biochar—can turn what would be waste into a soil-building amendment that also stores carbon.
Built for 100% compost as your new soil
Our Eastern cedar beds are designed and built to be the perfect companion for the soil that goes inside them—especially our 100% compost, used as the growing medium. Compost is alive with biology, holds moisture differently than bagged “garden soil,” and settles naturally as it finishes curing and cycles through wet/dry seasons. We build with those realities in mind so the bed supports the soil, not the other way around. Read more about our compost here.
Deep Roots beds are made to be sturdy, long-lasting frames that keep rich compost contained, productive, and easy to manage. The natural rot resistance of Eastern cedar matters here: compost-rich growing mixes can stay evenly moist, and that consistent moisture can be hard on lumber that isn’t naturally durable. Cedar’s built-in oils help it stand up to outdoor exposure and contact with soil without relying on added chemical treatments—an important match when the goal is clean, healthy food and healthy soil.
Those aromatic oils make the wood naturally pest resistant to moths, roaches, ants, and termites.
We also focus on practical details that make compost work better for gardeners. Our bed designs emphasize generous growing depth so compost can support strong root systems, hold moisture, and buffer temperature swings. The clean, defined edges help prevent washout during heavy rains, keep mulch and finished compost in place, and make it easier to top-dress with fresh compost as the season goes on. Because compost can settle over time, raised beds make ongoing soil care simple: you can add a fresh layer of compost each season without fighting compacted, weedy ground.
In other words, the raised bed and the compost are a system. The cedar provides a durable, natural structure. The 100% compost provides fertility, soil life, and water-holding capacity. Together they create a growing space that’s productive, lower-maintenance, and accessible—whether you’re planting herbs on a patio or building an abundant backyard garden.
Summary of Benefits
Moisture-ready durability: Cedar holds up well in the consistently moist conditions compost likes.
Clean growing environment: No need for harsh chemical treatments on the wood.
Easy seasonal refresh: Compost can be topped off and renewed year after year.
Garden structure that stays put: Strong edges keep compost, mulch, and amendments where they belong.
Naturally resistant to common wood pests.
See the links below to explore our Eastern Red Cedar raised beds and planter boxes.
Join the Deep Roots movement
We’re not just about gardening; we’re about changing the way people grow food. Whether you have a tiny balcony or a full backyard, we’ll help you grow like a pro.
Stay in the loop: Signup for our email newsletter. If you also provide your phone number you will get text message updates that link to our best blog posts.
Get involved: Attend a free workshop, become a volunteer, grab a raised bed, or simply follow along for expert tips. Contact our support team any time you have a question at 708-655-5299 and support@deep-roots-project.org.
Learn. Share. Grow. Volunteer: We invite you to be a part of our sustainable movement right here in our own backyards! We want all our volunteers to have fun and learn while they contribute to expanding the Deep Roots community. We can customize a volunteer assignment to your time, interests and skills. Learn more on our Volunteer page
Dive Deeper
Click on the Blog Posts below for more about our Innovative methods.
Beautify Your Garden with Our Cedar Raised Beds!
Our Deep Roots handcrafted cedar raised beds are designed to endure outdoors while adding a touch of style to your yard. As a bonus, they are the perfect depth to hold just the right amount of our nutrient-rich compost growing medium, which comes free with each bed.
Deep Roots Supports Gardeners
We provide our gardeners with the best products for success – like cedar raised beds, microbe-rich compost and microbe-rich worm castings.
Call our customer support team with any questions or help with calculations. Then place your order online. If you need help or have a question contact us at support[at]deep-roots-project.org and 708-655-5299.
See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections
Signup for Our Newsletter
Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter to get gardening and seasonal text messages announcements now and then.
Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.
