Best Screws for Raised Garden Bed in 2025

If you're looking to build a raised garden bed that’s cheap and easy to build, but also durable and safe for your soil and vegetables or flowers, then choosing the right raised bed screws is essential. These screws continue to be on the list of the best screws for raised garden beds in 2025 due to their strength and corrosion resistance.

Key Takeaways (TL;DR)

• The best screws for raised garden beds in 2025 are stainless steel deck screws.
• Stainless steel screws won’t leach harmful chemicals into your soil and vegetables which makes them better than coated screws.
• The best stainless steel screws for your planter box come from Eagle Claw Fasteners due to their price and quality, which are on par with more expensive alternatives.
• Choose Simpson Strong-Tie’s DSV coated deck screws if you want to use coated screws instead.

Best Type of Screws for Raised Garden Beds

Before we tell you why these planter box screws are the best screws to use, here’s what you need to know about which raised garden bed materials these fasteners are best suited for and how to use them.

Top Raised Bed Screws for 2025

Here are the best screws for your planter box and their key features that made them the top picks for DIY enthusiasts and professional landscapers.

1. Eagle Claw Stainless Steel Deck Screws

The best screws for raised garden beds are stainless steel deck screws (or wood screws), and the best deck screws for any outdoor project are Eagle Claw stainless steel deck screws. If you’re going to pay that much for your cedar raised beds, you might as well go with raised bed screws that would last as long as cedar wood.

We’ll save you the time by saying that the wood screws from Eagle Claw Fasteners are the most affordable stainless steel screws (compared to Home Depot or Lowes’ SS deck screws) but works just as excellent as the expensive ones. In fact, it has 1,154 5-star reviews on Amazon, with feedback from customers who have used these fasteners for over a year.

Why It’s On The 2025 List:

• Made from 304 and 316 stainless steel. It won’t rust, get tarnished, and harm your soil and vegetables.
• If you’re 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the coast, their 316 stainless steel screws provide superior corrosion resistance from the salt air.
• The snug Torx (Star) drive ensures it won’t strip out.
• With their sharp Type-17 points, they’re fast-cutting wood screws, and easy to start into wood.
• With nibs under the flat head, this screw provides a flush finish without causing splintering.

2. Deck-Drive™ DSV Deck Screws (Coated)

You’ll probably find a lot of how-to videos on building raised garden beds using coated deck screws, and if you want a cheap and easy build, using coated screws might be your best option to do so.

These Deck-Drive™ DSV coated deck screws are specifically designed for use with preservative-treated lumber, so they won’t rust easily as long as you won’t tear the coating while driving the screws.

Why It’s On The 2025 List:

• Each screw lies flush with the board thanks to the flat head with nibs.
• These screws also have Type-17 points that start effortlessly and smoothly.
• These screws are designed for dimensional timber, ensuring a tight, solid fit and a robust raised garden bed.
• The Quik Guard® coating prevents rust, making them ideal for preservative-treated wood and moist environments.
• The coating merges smoothly with your preservative-treated wood, giving your garden bed a natural, appealing look.
• With low-torque threads, you can install up to 35% more screws on just one battery charge.

3. Strong-Drive® DWP Stainless Steel Wood Screws

Strong-Drive® DWP stainless steel wood screws have the same quality as the SS deck screws from Eagle Claw fasteners but are more expensive. These wood screws for planter boxes are available in 305 and 316 stainless steel screws. Simpson Strong-Tie has been known for its quality fasteners and has become a trusted brand by many homeowners and professional landscapers, which is probably why people still buy them despite the price.

Why It’s On The 2025 List:

• Specially-designed sharp point lets you drive into hardwoods with ease
• They’re strip-proof thanks to their Torx heads.
• Drive more screws on a single battery charge due to its unique “box” thread design with raised-ridge technology.

What To Consider In Choosing The Right Planter Box Screws

There are tons of raised garden materials out there, and you need to choose which fasteners are perfect for them. Here’s how you choose the best planter box screws for your project.

1. Corrosion Resistance

Since garden beds are out there in the open with all the rain, humidity, and soil moisture, it’s important to choose screws that won’t rust or break down over time.

Stainless steel is the best when it comes to long-term exposure, whereas coated screws work well in low to medium moisture settings.

If you're in a place with high humidity or near the coast, it's a good idea to go for screws made from 316-grade stainless steel. They offer the best corrosion resistance out there.

2. Screw Length

 

Screw length depends on how thick the materials are that you're trying to fasten together. For building raised garden beds:

• Using 2.5" to 3" screws is great for making wood-to-wood connections, like connecting boards or installing framing.
• For larger structural connections or securing corner posts or reinforcements, use screws that are 4" to 6" long.
• If you're working with thicker materials, such as stone or brick for your raised bed borders, you might want to consider using longer screws or some specialized fasteners, like masonry screws, to make sure everything stays sturdy.

3. Screw Type (Head Design)

Flat Head: A flat head with nibs is perfect for getting a smooth finish without splintering the wood.

Pan Head or Bugle Head: These types of heads are great for making sure the screw fits nicely without harming the surface of the material.

Torx (star) Drive: Always choose Torx screws for your planter box or for all your timber construction products. They help keep the screw from stripping while you're installing it. Torx screws are snug, which makes driving them in a breeze, especially when you're working with dense wood or metal.

4. Thread Design

Coarse threads: They are best for softwood because they grip better and offer more holding power.

Fine threads: They work best for hardwoods or when you're dealing with tougher raised bed materials that are difficult to drive a screw in.

Why Stainless Steel Deck Screws Are The Best Screws For Garden Beds?

The best screws for raised garden beds in 2025 are stainless steel screws. These screws are safe and free from toxic coatings, so you don’t have to worry about them leaching harmful chemicals into the soil. Your vegetables will be safe to harvest and consume, without any dangerous substances getting absorbed.

Also, stainless steel naturally resists rust, tarnish, and corrosion. If you are living in moist environments, you can opt for the 304 and 305 stainless steel screws. However, 316 stainless steel screws are the best screws to use by the coast.

Buy The Best Screws for Your Garden Bed From the Trusted Name in Timber Construction Fasteners

When building a durable, long-lasting raised garden bed, choosing the right screws is essential, and ATC Construction Fasteners is the trusted partner to provide you with high-quality solutions. 

ATC Construction Fasteners prides itself on providing screws that are accurately supplied and ready for immediate use. We partner with leading brands like Simpson Strong-Tie to offer an extensive selection of fasteners that ensure strength, corrosion resistance, and long-lasting performance. This guarantees that your raised garden bed will remain secure and intact for years to come.

Our commitment to quality, expertise, and customer satisfaction has made us a leader in the fastener industry. Order your box of the best planter box screws today!

FAQs

How do you anchor a garden bed?

If you want to anchor a raised garden bed, there are a few different ways to do it:

• Rebar or metal stakes: Drive metal stakes or rebar into the sides or corners of your garden bed and into the ground to keep it stable.
• Corner Brackets: Heavy-duty corner brackets are the way to go. They help make sure everything stays stable and aligned.
• L-brackets: For wooden planter boxes, secure the corners better, so you won’t have to worry about any shifting over time.
• Stone or concrete: Larger, more permanent beds might need a concrete base or stone edging to anchor them down.

Do I need pressure-treated wood for raised garden beds?

No, you don’t have to use pressure-treated wood for your raised garden beds, but it can definitely help them last longer. Pressure-treated wood is great because it resists rot and pests, which makes it a solid choice for outdoor projects. Some gardeners choose to steer clear of it because they're worried about the chemicals found in older pressure-treated wood.

If you're into organic gardening, think about using natural wood types such as cedar or redwood since they resist decay on their own. If you go for pressure-treated wood, make sure it’s treated with modern, non-toxic preservatives like ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary) to prevent any chemicals from leaching into the soil. 

What is the best configuration for a raised garden bed?

The best configuration depends on your available space, the size of your garden, and how much you’re looking to grow. Here are the raised bed configurations that are most popular in 2025:

• Rectangular or square beds: These traditional designs are great for making the most of your space and allow for easy access from every angle.
• L-shaped or U-shaped beds: These are great options for smaller spaces or for helping gardeners with limited mobility get around more easily.
• Tiered Beds: They are basically raised beds that come in different heights. They're perfect for improving drainage or tackling uneven ground.
• Wide beds (4 feet wide): These configurations are super easy to reach the middle without having to step on the soil, which helps keep it from getting compacted.
• Length: Most raised garden beds are usually about 4 to 8 feet long. This size gives your plants plenty of room to grow while still being easy to take care of. 

How to screw raised beds together?

To screw raised beds together:

• Choose Stainless Steel Deck Screws: Select screws that resist rust, like stainless steel deck screws, to ensure they last a long time.
• Start by putting together the corners: Fasten the corner pieces of the raised bed using screws. Use corner brackets or L-brackets to make the joints stronger if you need to.
• Pre-drill holes: Before driving the screws, make sure to drill small holes in the wood first. This helps stop the wood from splitting.
• Attach the Sides: Once the corners are secured, connect the long sides of the bed, ensuring the screws are inserted into the corner posts for added stability.
• Use Stronger Screws for Bigger Beds: When making bigger beds with heavy material (like stone or large wooden boards), you can use longer structural screws for added strength.

How do you edge a raised garden bed?

Edging a raised garden bed helps to shape the bed and stops the soil from washing away (or soil erosion). Here are some ways to edge your raised garden bed:

• Wooden Edging: Choose cedar, redwood, or pressure-treated wood to make a neat border around the garden bed.
• Stone Edging: Using stone, brick, or concrete blocks around the bed can give it a more natural appearance. This makes things look attractive and stops soil from falling out.
• Metal Edging: You can use galvanized steel or corten steel to edge your raised bed, which gives it a modern, industrial appearance.
• Plastic or Rubber Edging: If you're looking for a cost-effective and flexible choice, plastic or rubber garden edging can help keep your garden bed neat.