GroundWork 71 in. Wood Raised Garden Planter with Liner
Bending over a garden bed all day can hurt your back and knees. A tall planter fixes that problem. The GroundWork 71 in. wood raised garden planter with liner lifts your plants to waist height, so you can stand while you work.
But this is a big planter, and it is not cheap. Before you buy, you want straight answers. How much soil does it take? How heavy does it get? How long will the wood last? What do real owners say? This article covers all of it in simple language.
Quick verdict: This is a good planter for herbs, salad greens, flowers, and many vegetables. Owners rate it 4.6 out of 5 stars. The weak spots are uneven wood quality and a liner that some owners say tore easily. Read on to see if those risks matter for your garden.
GroundWork 71 in. Planter: Quick Facts
- Brand: GroundWork, a Tractor Supply exclusive brand (item number 1273579)
- Length and width: 70.8 in. by 30.3 in.
- Total height: 36.49 in.
- Soil tray depth: 15.8 in.
- Empty weight: 72.63 lb.
- Material: Treated Canadian hemlock
- Liner: Fitted fabric liner included
- Price at the time of writing: $199.99
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5 from 1,102 reviews
These numbers come from the Tractor Supply product page and its customer answers. Prices and stock change often. When this article was written, the page showed the planter as out of stock online. Check the page before you plan your weekend.
Who Should Buy the GroundWork 71 in. Wood Raised Garden Planter with Liner?
It is a good fit if you:
- Have a sore back or bad knees and want to garden standing up
- Have a patio or small yard with poor or rocky soil
- Mostly grow herbs, greens, flowers, or a few vegetables
- Like a kit that comes with a ready-made liner
Think twice if you:
- Want wood that resists rot on its own, like cedar
- Plan to put it on a weak deck or balcony
- Want to swap the liner later, since the seller does not sell liners alone
How Big Is It? What 71 Inches Means
The GroundWork 71 in. wood raised garden planter with liner is just under 6 feet long. It is about 2.5 feet wide. That gives it a footprint of about 15 square feet. It stands about 36.5 in. tall, close to the height of a kitchen counter.
At 30 inches wide, most people can reach the middle from either side. You never need to step into the soil. Leave a few feet of open space around it so you can move with a hose or a watering can.
One owner said she is short and the height was just right for her. If you are very tall, you may still bend a little.
How Much Soil Do You Need? Here Is the Math
The product page lists a soil tray depth of 15.8 in. It does not list the soil volume. So here is a rough estimate.
Take the outer size and subtract the thickness of the wood. You get about 69.5 in. by 29 in. of open space inside. Fill it with 12 in. of soil, and you need about 14 cubic feet. That is about seven bags of 2 cubic foot potting mix. Measure your own planter after you build it, since wood thickness can vary.
Why 12 in.? Gardeners generally agree that most vegetables do well in 10 to 12 in. of soil. The University of Georgia Extension says 10 in. is enough for most. Gardener Walter Reeves says 12 in. suits all vegetables.
Fresh soil settles after the first heavy watering. Buy one or two extra bags to top it off.
How heavy is it when full?
The planter weighs 72.63 lb. empty. Soil changes everything. Wet potting mix can weigh 40 to 60 lb. per cubic foot. At 14 cubic feet, that is roughly 560 to 840 lb. of soil. Add the planter, and the total lands near 630 to 910 lb.
That is a rough estimate, but it shows why planning matters. The product text I read gives no weight limit. Ask the seller before you fill it to the top. Some safe habits:
- Set it in its final spot before you add soil. You cannot move it once it is full.
- Use firm, level ground.
- Skip weak decks and balconies unless you know their load limit.
- If you want to cut weight, some gardeners fill the bottom with light material, like empty plastic pots turned upside down. Keep at least 10 to 12 in. of real soil on top, and make sure water can still drain.
If a balcony is your only space, a full 71 in. planter is probably too heavy. Smaller, lighter containers are the safer route, and this post on growing an herb garden on a balcony shows what works in tight spots.
Wood Quality: How Long Will Hemlock Last Outside?
This planter is made from treated Canadian hemlock. The seller says it has a water-based wood preservative. Hemlock is a strong softwood. But wood rating charts list untreated hemlock as low in rot resistance. Cedar does much better against wet weather.
The seller’s answers call the treatment a coating. A coating helps. It is not the same as wood that fights rot by nature. That is why the liner and your care matter so much. Wood that stays drier lasts longer.
The seller also says the coating is safe for vegetables. If you grow food, read the manual and label yourself too. You can find the manual under Product Documents on the product page.
The Fabric Liner: Helpful, but Handle with Care
The liner keeps wet soil off the wood. It also lets extra water drain out. That is good for your plants and your planter.
But the liner is a known weak spot. One owner said it fell apart before any soil went in. The seller also says replacement liners are not sold on their own. So take a few steps on day one:
- Unfold the liner and check it for rips right away.
- If it is damaged, contact the seller while you can still return the planter.
- As a backup, cut garden landscape fabric to fit. It lets water pass through. Pick one labeled safe for garden use.
What 1,102 Owners Say About This Planter
The numbers look strong. Of 1,102 reviews, 822 gave five stars, and 178 gave four. Only 62 gave one or two stars. Of the reviewers who answered the question, 487 out of 537 (91 percent) said they would recommend it.
What owners like
- It is easy to put together, and it is light for its size.
- The height is easy on the back.
- It looks nice and feels sturdy to many buyers.
- The size and price feel like good value to many.
What owners dislike
- One owner found a cracked board.
- Another said some holes did not line up.
- A few said the wood and screws felt weak.
- One owner said the whole planter came apart.
- One owner said the liner fell apart early.
The pattern is clear. Most people are happy. A small group got parts that were flawed. Check everything the day it arrives, so you can return it fast if needed.
Assembly Tips That Save Time
The seller calls this planter easy to assemble. Most owners agree. A little prep makes it smoother.
- Lay out every part and count the hardware before you start. One buyer lost the manual and screws, then had to ask for help.
- Look over each board for cracks or bad holes.
- Choose the final spot. Make sure the ground is level.
- Use a drill with the right bit. Do not overtighten. Softwood can split.
- Add the liner last, and handle it gently.
- Fill the planter in layers, and water it well so the soil settles.
What to Grow in a Planter with a 15.8 in. Soil Tray
The soil tray has enough room for most home garden plants. Here is a simple rundown based on how far roots reach:
- About 4 in. of soil: lettuce, radishes, spinach, and basil
- About 8 in. of soil: beans, peppers, eggplant, and carrots
- About 12 in. of soil: tomatoes, okra, corn, and summer squash
A simple plan for the long, narrow shape: put tomatoes at one end with a cage. Add peppers in the middle. Plant basil and lettuce along the edges. Flowers and herbs also do well here. If you want more ways to mix plants in one bed, these container garden ideas are a good place to start.
Most vegetables want full sun, about six or more hours a day. If you want flowers alongside them, pick from this list of full sun plants outdoor so everything handles the same light. Raised planters dry out faster than ground beds. Push a finger into the soil each day. If the top inch is dry, water slowly until the water drains out.
Can You Use It Indoors?
Tractor Supply says yes, if you manage drainage and protect your floor. Put a waterproof tray or plastic sheet under it. Also think about weight. A full planter is very heavy for a floor. A sunroom or greenhouse with a strong floor is a better choice than a bedroom.
Care Tips to Help the Wood Last
- Water the soil, not the wood.
- Check the screws and joints each spring. Tighten any that are loose.
- Think about a sealer for the outside wood. Pick one labeled safe for edible gardens.
- Keep the liner in place. If it tears, patch it or replace it with landscape fabric.
Other Planters Worth Comparing
Do not buy the first planter you see. Here are two with a similar size:
- Veikous cedar raised bed with legs and liner (71 in. by 31 in.): Home Depot lists it with 9.59 cubic feet of soil space. Cedar is more rot resistant. Prices ranged from about $135 to $173 depending on the color and listing at the time of writing.
- Universal Forest Products elevated planter (71 in.): This one uses untreated, gray-stained wood and holds about 9 cubic feet of soil. The liner is sold separately.
By my rough math, the GroundWork planter holds more soil than both. It also costs more. If you want natural rot resistance for less money, the cedar option is worth a look. If you want more soil room and like shopping at Tractor Supply, this one may suit you. The page also lists a satisfaction guarantee.
If you like the idea of a waist-high bed but want a different look or size, browse more tall outdoor planters before you decide.
How This Article Was Researched
This article uses the maker’s specs, the seller’s customer answers, and over 1,100 owner reviews. It also draws on tips from gardening extension sites and wood rating charts. The soil and weight numbers are rough estimates, and I say so each time. Always check your own planter, and read the manual that comes with it.
Final Verdict: Is the GroundWork 71 in. Wood Raised Garden Planter with Liner Worth It?
For most home gardeners, yes. The GroundWork 71 in. wood raised garden planter with liner gives you a big, waist-high growing space with a liner already included. Owners rate it highly, and the size works well for herbs, greens, flowers, and many vegetables.
It is not perfect. Hemlock needs care outside. The liner can be fragile. A few owners got flawed parts. The weight of a full planter is also a real issue.
If you can handle those points, it is a solid choice. Check every part on arrival. Pick the right spot first. Then fill it with good soil and enjoy gardening without the backache.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is the GroundWork 71 in. wood raised garden planter with liner?
It measures 70.8 in. long, 30.3 in. wide, and 36.49 in. tall. The soil tray is 15.8 in. deep.
How much does it weigh?
The product weight is 72.63 lb. empty. With wet soil, it can weigh several hundred pounds more.
How much soil does it hold?
A rough estimate is about 14 cubic feet for 12 in. of soil. Measure your planter once it is built.
Is it safe for vegetables?
Tractor Supply says the water-based coating is safe for vegetables and planting. Read the manual and label to be sure.
Can I buy a replacement liner?
The seller says the vendor does not sell replacement liners separately. Landscape fabric cut to fit is a common backup.
Can I use it indoors?
Yes, if you protect the floor and plan for drainage. Remember that a full planter is very heavy.
Do I need to assemble it?
Yes. The seller calls it easy to assemble. A drill makes the job faster.
