Robinia wood or aluminium: two materials, one standard.
Urbanature offers this foldable raised bed in two high-quality material options. Both are designed for use on balconies and patios, but differ in terms of appearance, feel and intended use.
Folding raised bed made of robinia wood
Robinia is one of the most durable European
woods for outdoor use. The wood is hard, robust and naturally highly weather-resistant. It is therefore particularly suitable for those looking for a natural material with a warm appearance.
The Robinia option is ideal for balconies and terraces featuring wood, natural stone, plants and a cosy design. It looks light, natural and high-quality – without resembling a typical DIY store raised bed. Black locust is the right choice if you want your raised bed to blend into a natural balcony setting.
Foldable raised bed made of anodised aluminium
The aluminium version is the premium model for particularly demanding locations. Anodised aluminium is weather-resistant, dimensionally stable and durable. The surface is not a coat of paint that can flake off, but a finish applied to the material itself.
This makes the aluminium raised bed particularly suitable for balconies exposed to harsh weather conditions, modern architecture, roof terraces and minimalist outdoor spaces. It has a technical, clean-lined and highly durable appearance. Aluminium is the right choice when maximum weather resistance, a minimalist design and a particularly high-quality finish are the main priorities.
High quality rather than short-lived.
Many raised beds for the balcony are designed to last just one season. Thin wood, simple plastic sheeting, flimsy plastic parts or wobbly metal frames may look serviceable at first, but they quickly lose their stability and appeal.
Urbanature’s foldable raised bed takes a different approach. It is designed as a durable planting system – made from high-quality materials, with replaceable components and a design that is intended to still fit on the balcony even after several years.
The planters are made from weather-resistant ASA/ABS plastic for outdoor use. They are manufactured in the Urbanature workshop. Spare parts are available for Urbanature products. That is the difference between a simple plant stand and a well-designed raised bed designed for long-term use.
Which plants are suitable for the fold-away raised bed?
The fold-away raised bed is suitable for many plants that can be grown on balconies and patios:
- Kitchen herbs such as basil, parsley, chives, mint, thyme and rosemary
- Salads, leaf lettuce, rocket and spinach
- Strawberries and edible flowers
- Chillies, peppers and compact tomato varieties
- Young plants and growing from seed
- Summer flowers and bee-friendly flowering plants
- Mixed plantings for small balcony gardens
The vertical layout allows you to combine different plants across several levels. Whether it’s a herb garden, a balcony garden for snacking, a small vegetable patch or a decorative flowerbed – the system remains flexible.
Can be folded away at the end of the season.
A good balcony product shouldn’t just be useful in summer. It needs to remain practical even once the season is over. The foldable raised bed can be folded away in just a few simple steps. This means it takes up significantly less space when stored and can be kept over the winter in the cellar, a storage room, a conservatory or, if sheltered, on the balcony. This flexibility is particularly important on small balconies.
Which raised bed is right for you?
Choose black locust wood if you’re looking for a natural, warm material and your balcony has a cosy, homely feel.
Choose aluminium if you’re looking for a particularly durable, premium raised bed suitable for harsh weather conditions, modern architecture or a clean, minimalist look.
Choose the Basic version if you want a classic setup with drainage and an overflow.
Choose the Hydro version if you’d prefer the convenience of watering ‘from below’, complete with a water level indicator.
Add the growing cover if you want to get a head start on the season and grow young plants directly in the raised bed.
Difference from a vertical garden.
The foldable raised bed is a compact solution featuring 8-litre plant pots and an optional grow cover. It is particularly suitable for deep-rooted plants, herbs, vegetables, young plants and flexible planting arrangements within a square footprint. The vertical garden from Urbanature is slightly larger and uses rectangular 10-litre containers. It is particularly suitable when the focus is on greater planting capacity, balcony greening or a green privacy screen.
Basically:
The fold-out raised bed is ideal for growing seedlings, herbs and vegetables on a square footprint with wider spacing between the planters.
The vertical garden is ideal for a rectangular footprint and for planting as a privacy screen. The planter volume and water reservoir are slightly larger.
Differences between a fold-away raised bed and a vertical garden
| Feature |
Folding Balcony Raised Bed |
Vertical Garden |
|
| Base Frame |
41 (55) / 55 cm |
38 / 58 cm |
|
| Internal Planter Dimensions |
26 / 26 / H 20 cm |
18 / 44 / H 17 cm |
|
| Planter Spacing |
40 cm |
36 cm |
|
| Planter Capacity |
8 litres |
10 litres |
|
| Accessories |
Propagation Cover |
No Propagation Cover |
|
| Water Reservoir |
Max. 0.8 litres |
Max. 1.5 litres |
|
| Privacy Screen |
No Privacy Screen |
58 cm / maximum 140 cm |