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Whether you're an experienced gardener or just getting started, planting in raised beds is an excellent way to control weeds and maximize your growing space. Beyond being a great landscaping idea, it can also help extend your garden's season, since soil in a raised bed will stay warmer for longer. And it's a great way to start a vegetable garden if your soil isn't in the best shape.

Building your own raised beds out of two-by-fours is a straightforward approach, but there are so many other ways you can get the same effect—and some of them won't even require fancy garden tools or a trip to the hardware store. If bending down to tend a raised bed that's low to the ground isn't great for your back, check out the raised bed ideas ahead! They'll help you build taller, more accessible garden plots. Have an old piece of furniture laying around the house? You can probably turn that into a raised bed, too.

Keep reading to learn more about these genius ideas for building a raised bed garden, then get ready to break out your garden shoes and pull on garden gloves, because they're definitely going to inspire you to get some plants in the ground.

This clever setup is a great way to maximize your growing space while also allowing climbing plants to thrive. By stacking two narrow raised beds on top of one another, you can plant more in the same area, and the trellis is perfect for peas, beans, and cucumbers.

Get the tutorial at Anika's DIY Life.

This idea is perfect for anyone who's more comfortable with a needle and thread than a toolbox. Grow bags are a lightweight alternative to traditional raised beds since you can make them in just about any shape or size, and move them around with ease.

Get the tutorial at Empress of Dirt.

If you're into the vintage aesthetic, then you'll love this idea for a no-dig garden Simply clean out an old bathtub, place it in your yard, and fill it with soil. Your plants will be flourishing in no time.

Get the tutorial at Garden Betty.

Another great no-dig option is to buy some metal troughs and use them as raised bed planters. Because metal troughs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, this is a great option for anyone who wants to use several planters.

Get the tutorial at Cynthia Weber.

If you have chickens, you'll want to check out this awesome DIY, which can also be built on top of a bunny hutch.

Get the tutorial at Chicken Street.

If you have an old table laying around, check out this tutorial to learn how to turn it into a raised bed for growing lettuce. Not only does it look beautiful, it's also an amazing way to have garden-fresh salad greens on hand at all times.

Get the tutorial at Creative Green Living.

There's nothing more heartbreaking than growing vegetables only to have animals eat them before you get the chance. The best way to prevent it? A critter-proof cover, like this one.

Get the tutorial at Homemade by Carmona.

If leaning down to tend to a low raised bed is hard on your body, here is a tutorial on how to build tall raised beds, which are easier to plant and weed since they're built to be around waist height.

Get the tutorial at Tidbits Cami.

Create an enchanting atmosphere with this simple idea. All you need are some fairy lights or LED rope lights to wrap around the outside of your raised beds to turn your garden into a fairytale landscape.

Get the tutorial at Homestead and Chill.

Here is an idea to breathe new life into an old storage cart by turning it into a tiered flower garden. Since it's already on wheels, it's easy to move this portable raised bed to maximize sun exposure.

Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess.

Here is another solution for anyone who has a hard time leaning down to work in a low raised bed: Build up, not out! This vertical garden is just as easy to construct as a standard raised bed, but can also help maximize your space.

Get the tutorial at Garden Therapy.

If all you have is a patio space, check out this genius idea for a making a terra-cotta pot garden. It offers many of the same benefits of a standard raised bed layout, but requires no tools to put together. It's perfect for flowers, tomatoes, and other plants that do well in pots.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

Another simple solution for a no-tools, no-digging garden! Here, oversized wooden buckets stand in for typical raised bed planters.

Get the tutorial at Blooming Homestead.

Keep garden maintenance low-key and ensure happy plants throughout the season by installing a DIY drip watering system.

Get the tutorial at Houseful of Handmade.

Once you have your raised beds constructed, you'll want to make sure to label them so you don't loose track of your seedlings. These adorable hand-painted garden markers are a fun idea.

Get the tutorial at Over the Big Moon.