I purchased two for my upcoming vegetable garden. It is deep enough for root vegetables. Unfortunately, one was chipped in several places, but it does not appear to have a negative impact on the actual planter. The broken pieces are the trim on on the bottom of the planter -- more like the trim. Thus, the four stars instead of five. The water meter works fine on both.

I got this for my father-in-law to use for gardening after he moved in to an assisted living facility (AL), and he wanted his own garden for seeds. (He started a community garden where he lived 25 years ago.) But since he has mild dementia, I figured he would forget to water it if it weren't right in front of him (like the planters were when he lived with us... and he still forgot most days). I had to paint it to match the other (cedar) planters at the AL, but other than that, set up was pretty simple. It did take more than the 2 cu. ft. of dirt that I brought with me (so I had to go get another bag, which was OK, as the other planters needed more dirt in them). Filling it with water took a long time, because the AL didn't have a hose nearby, or even a bucket, so I filled it from a sink indoors, about 1 qt at a time, with an indoor watering can. Guessing I made 15-20 trips. I brought some seeds, and one tomato plant, and my father-in-law proceeded to plants a bunch of different seeds (basil, lettuce, beets, swiss chard, carrot, radish). Unfortunately, the AL's resident squirrels dug up a lot of the seeds (or just dug up looking for seeds), but they didn't get them all, and the basil, carrots and radishes grew mostly unmolested. The lettuce came up, but got pruned as fast as it grew. But every time it rained more than a sprinkle, it pointed out the biggest flaw in this planter; the lack of any kind of overflow. Yes, there is a drain, but if you aren't there to "pull the plug", it doesn't take much rain to fill the planter up. And if it rains heavily overnight, you might wake up with floating plants. Where this was at the AL, it would be sitting in a 2-3" deep puddle (poor drainage on the patio, thanks landscapers), right where the drain plug was. I solved the problem after a few "floods" by drilling a couple of 1/4" holes in the back side of the box, at about the level of the bottom of the dirt. That way, it can get wet, without filling up (it might fill up in heavy rain, but it will drain). Other self-watering planters that I have have some sort of overflow built it to keep that from happening. That said, I'd still recommend it. With basically no maintenance, it grew tomatoes, basil, carrots, and radishes, (and fed squirrels other seeds) and this spring, there are a few carrots that have sprouted from last year's seeds. I'd give it 4.5 stars.

I purchased one last year and it's perfect for me. I'm disabled and live in AZ. The self watering works to keep the soil moist in the hot summer where I don't have to water it every day. This year I'm growing carrots and already they are coming up fast! I plan on getting another planter this week.

I didn't buy these from Sams, since I didn't know they carried them till later. I will say they are good to plant things in, even tomato's. I plant lettuce, tomato's, cucumbers and they grow just fine. I live in a more rainy climate in Upstate NY so I take the plug out for the water reservoir and leave it out. If you live in the south, you may be able to leave the plug in with no issues since you get hotter and dryer weather. I left plug in when i first got them and it drowned my plants when I went away for two days.

I initially purchased two & liked it so much I purchased three more. After so much success with my harvest I purchased three more. In total, I purchased 9. I love the look and the sturdiness of the bed & have recommended them to family & friends. All of whom have purchased two each. However, I did receive starter seed trays with any of my purchases. This is not a coincidence, I believe it was just a part of the description & they had no plans to include the trays. How can you miss putting starter seed trays in that many garden beds. Whatever happened to Quality Assurance? Some one is sleeping on the job!! I still want my trays because it was a part of the description & I paid for them! I didn't return them because I had spent so much money on everything needed for the beds. I expect Kater to step up to the plate and send me my Starter Seed Trays!! If your reading this review Kater only reply with when I can expect to receive my trays! Thank you!

I wanted to love this, especially for the cost however the sides are very stretched That the separating plastic pieces that go on top do not what so ever fit. My son and I planted herbs and nothing else in it. Not sure how it has so many good reviews

I just ordered one of these, it arrived a few days ago. It comes in a large box. My husband put it together in a matter of minutes. This planter far exceeded my expectations. It is not a cheap looking raised bed . Infact it seems like it is high end as far as these things go and sturdy. I have not planted in it yet do to it being very cold where I live. I have a small back yard with a 6 foot vinyl fend and I am going to put this along the fence with my fabric grow beds in front of it to maximize my growing space. I loved it so much I rushed to order 3 more. I can't wait for this year's garden.

I LOVE these planters! I have had two for maybe 5 years now. We travel a great deal in the summer for baseball. They work great! I close the stopper, water till the moisture level leaves pop up, leave for the weekend or extended weekend with no worries! When I come home all I do is drain any remaining water! I would like to get two more for vegetables now that our baseball times are over. They keep little bunnies from eating, AND allow us freedom!

Perfect size and height for my patio. Very east to assemble. Would recommend for anyone.

Great planter-great price