Is Costco's Top-Rated Composting Garden Bed Right For You? Here's What Users Say

Homemade compost is a budget-friendly yet simple way to improve your garden's health. With the right blend of green and brown waste, you can create a nutrient-dense medium that gives your plants the organic matter they need to thrive, all while cutting down on waste that ends up in the trash. When it comes to finding the right place to compost, many people opt for a separate bin for easy access and storage. However, the Vita Keyhole Composting Garden Bed offers a unique alternative. 

On Costco's website, you can find this online-exclusive garden bed for just under $360. This keyhole composting garden bed was inspired by African keyhole gardens, which feature a central composting bin alongside the growing plots. This access allows the compost bin to directly feed nutrients into the nearby plants and is made of food-grade vinyl for safe vegetable planting.

If you're opting for a store-bought garden rather than making your own DIY raised garden bed, you want to ensure you're choosing the right option for your needs. This means looking beyond the surface and purchasing a raised bed that delivers the expected results. One of the best places to start this process is by looking at the reviews, where you can learn what other people are saying about their purchase. At the time of writing, the Vita keyhole garden bed has a 4.6-star rating with more than 800 reviews. 

Overall, the Vita keyhole garden bed was well-received by most buyers, with more than 600 5-star ratings. Many reviews available on Costco's website include high marks for this composting garden bed's durability and easy assembly. One reviewer, Mindyrmn, summed up their experience in their review, saying: "Bought two of them in spring of 2016. Love these! No weeds, feeds plants through compost, beautiful to look at, easy to put together."

Mindyrmn wasn't the only one to share a positive experience. Username Watercolorartist shared a similar sentiment in their review: "This composting, raised garden bed was a real find. Well designed, well manufactured, with clear assembly and fill instructions. The manufacturer really ought to include an extra screw or two just in case, but that was the only negative." Another said the bed was compatible with other Vita kits, allowing them to customize the configuration. 

While many people seemed to be satisfied with the Vita composting garden bed, there were a few potential drawbacks mentioned in highly-rated and poor reviews alike, such as rummaging wildlife. Because the composting keyhole is open, it may make it easier for wildlife to access any food scraps — even if you avoid the items you should never compost. Verified purchaser Kate struggled with flies when using the composting feature, and Joon stated this in their review: "The issue is that birds have discovered [the] open air compost box and make a mess of the garden. I had to place chicken wire around the sides of the compost box and the top of it to prevent the birds from making a mess."

Outdoor Guide took time to research the garden bed itself and reviews when determining if the Vita Keyhole Composting Garden Bed was worth buying. Not everyone will have the same experience with a garden bed due to a range of variables, including climate and plant choice. As a result, we want to consider many perspectives and identify any common themes we found.

Overall, the Vita composting garden bed received a majority of positive reviews, and many buyers appeared to be pleased with their purchase. However, some buyers also experienced a few drawbacks, such as the uncovered composting bin.