The Best All Year-Round Plants for Raised Beds

Having a productive and beautiful garden year-round is the dream for any gardener. While some plants can only be grown during certain seasons, there are many options that will thrive in a raised bed garden 12 months a year.

In this comprehensive guide I’ll share my top recommendations for all year-round plants that are perfect for raised beds. Whether you’re looking for edibles ornamentals or pollinator-friendly varieties, there’s something for every gardener in this list!

Benefits of All Year-Round Gardening

Growing plants year-round offers many advantages:

• Continuous harvest – Enjoy fresh produce and herbs even in the colder months, This saves money and reduces trips to the grocery store

• Season extension – Get a head start on spring by growing cold hardy plants through the winter. Start harvests earlier in spring and keep them going later into fall.

• Pollinator support – Provide food and habitat for pollinators like bees and butterflies when they need it most – during colder seasons when resources are scarce.

• Beauty – The garden will always look alive and productive with something blooming. Evergreen plants add structure and color during the winter.

• Mental health – Being able to garden all year can reduce seasonal depression that comes with winter. Caring for plants is therapeutic and boosts mood.

Best All Year-Round Plants for Raised Beds

Cool Weather Edibles

These versatile vegetables can be planted in late summer or early fall and will continue producing through winter in many climates. They can withstand light frosts.

• Kale – Extremely cold hardy, some varieties can survive temperatures down to -20°F! Plant in mid to late summer for winter harvests. Redbor and Winterbor are great varieties.

• Swiss Chard – Another cold hardy green that comes in colorful stems Plant in late summer and pick outer leaves all winter long Bright Lights is a stunning rainbow chard.

• Lettuces – Plant lettuces densely in late summer or early fall. Many varieties will grow into winter and can be harvested by cutting the whole rosette. Winter density, autumn fire and arctic king are good picks.

• Spinach – Sow seeds in late summer to early fall, spinach will grow slowly through winter. Bloomsdale Long Standing is a tasty heirloom.

• Carrots – Sow carrot seeds July to September for fall and winter harvests. They get sweeter after a light frost. Varieties like Danvers store well.

• Beets – An easy to grow cold weather crop. Plant July through August for roots that size up during cool weather. Try red or golden beets.

• Radishes – A fast growing crop for fall through spring. Cherry Belle and French Breakfast are classics.

• Garlic – Plant individual garlic cloves in fall for an early summer harvest. Hardneck varieties like Music or Purple Stripe have the best flavor.

Cool Weather Herbs & Flowers

Herbs and flowers that thrive in the cooler seasons add beauty, pollinator appeal and culinary flavor to the raised bed garden.

• Parsley – A biennial herb that tastes best after exposure to cold weather. Plant as transplants in fall for winter harvests.

• Thyme – Plant this Mediterranean herb in fall, it takes light frosts in stride. English thyme is very cold hardy.

• Oregano – Plant transplants August through September, it will continue growing all winter in most climates. Greek oregano is especially hardy.

• Rosemary – In zone 8 and warmer, rosemary will stay evergreen and productive year-round. Protect from hard freezes.

• Violas – Plant these cheery edible flowers in fall, they will bloom much of the winter and reseed next year. Johnny Jump Ups are a favorite.

• California Poppies – Sow seeds in late fall and again in early spring for blooms March through frost. Reseeds readily.

• Snapdragons – Plant as transplants in fall, these flowers will bloom through winter and again in spring from the same plants.

Heat Loving Edibles

Warm weather crops that can take the summer heat are great replacements for cool weather plants that bolt and fade in summer.

• Peppers – Plant transplants out in spring after all danger of frost. Peppers grow well all summer in raised beds and containers. Pick sweet or spicy varieties.

• Tomatoes – Another classic summer crop. Get transplants in the ground early for an extended harvest. Choose small cherry types or full-sized heirlooms.

• Basil – The king of herbs for summer. Plant after soil has warmed in spring and make successive sowings for non-stop harvests. Try spicy thai, lemon or classic Genovese basils.

• Beans – Easy to grow and very prolific in the summer garden. Sow seeds of bush beans every 2 weeks for continuous harvests. Green, yellow or purple pods.

• Cucumbers – Plant transplants or sow seeds directly once summer arrives. Harvest daily for the best production. Mini cukes are perfect for raised beds.

• Summer Squash – Another fast growing summer favorite. Yellow crookneck and zucchini are very productive. Use trellises to save space.

• Sweet Potatoes – While traditionally grown in the deep south, newer short season orange and white varieties can grow all summer and be harvested before first frost.

Heat Loving Flowers

These flowering plants thrive in warm weather and keep the garden looking bright and lively during the hot summer months.

• Marigolds – Cheerful annuals that bloom non-stop through the heat of summer. French or African types work well. Great for repelling pests too.

• Zinnias – Available in a rainbow of colors, these tough annuals are prolific bloomers. Dwarf varieties are great choices for raised beds and containers.

• Cosmos – Another heat loving annual that blooms endlessly in summer. Taller types may need staking in raised beds. Great cut flowers too.

• Sunflowers – A must for any summer garden. Choose short, bushy varieties under 5 feet tall for raised beds. Plant successions for late summer color.

• Tithonia – Towering orange Mexican sunflowers that attract pollinators in droves during summer. Give them space to reach 4-6 feet tall.

• Lantana – Though not cold hardy, lantana is a tropical dynamo during summer. Trailing types are perfect for raised beds and hanging baskets.

Fruiting Plants

What raised bed would be complete without fresh homegrown fruits? These provide summer treats and beauty too.

• Strawberries – Plant cold hardy everbearing types in late summer for fruiting from spring through fall. Alpine strawberries are great for small spaces.

• Blueberries – Plant one or more compact bush varieties in acidic, well-draining soil. Bluecrop and Northsky are recommended for containers.

• Cape Gooseberries – Grow these tropical ground cherries easily from seed during summer for a fall harvest. Sweet golden fruits.

• Alpine Strawberries – Dainty little berries that fruit spring through fall once established. Great for borders, pots and raised beds.

• Container Citrus – Dwarf Meyer lemons, calamondin oranges, limequats and other citrus thrive in large pots that can be moved into shelter during winter.

Evergreen Edibles

These hardy plants maintain their foliage year-round, providing structure and privacy while still being edible.

• Chives – Extremely tough perennial herbs that can handle anything. Harvest leaves year-round and beautiful edible flowers in spring.

• Oregano – Many varieties remain evergreen in mild winter climates. Trim back in spring for the most flavorful leaves.

• Rosemary – In zone 8 and warmer rosemary stays evergreen as a focal point. Protect from hard freezes.

• Sage – Grows year-round in zones 8-10 with some protection. Pineapple sage has colorful foliage.

• Thyme – English thyme remains evergreen even in very cold winters. Trim back in early spring for best growth.

• Parsley – Biennial parsley often survives the winter and regrows for its second year. Curly leafed varieties tend to be hardiest.

• Kale – Extremely hardy kale plants will live for multiple years in climates with cool winters. Red Russian is a pretty variety.

• Swiss Chard – Biennial chards survive through winter and regrow bigger than ever in spring. Bright Lights is a stunning choice.

Evergreen Ornamentals

These attractive plants provide greenery and structure during the winter months when the garden fades.

• Boxwood – The classic formal hedge, boxwoods keep their leaves in winter. Dwarf English types work for small raised beds.

• Lavender – In zones 8-9, lavender stays evergreen for year-round color and fragrance. Protect from heavy frost.

• Rosemary – Upright rosemary varieties maintain foliage through winter in warmer zones if protected from hard freezes.

• Sage – In zone 8+ many types of culinary sage remain evergreen. Pineapple sage has bold reddish foliage.

• Thyme – English thyme retains its small leaves and provides texture during winter. Trim back in early spring.

• Oregano – Greek oregano remains evergreen in warm winter areas. Hops flowering oregano has showy bracts.

• Ilex – Holly shrubs and trees like Blue Princess holly maintain their glossy leaves and bright berries through winter.

• Mahonia – Oregon grape holly is an impressive upright shrub that produces yellow flowers followed by blue berries.

Tips for Success with All Year-Round Plants

• Start plants at the right time – Be sure to plant fall/winter crops in late summer and spring/summer plants after your last expected frost date.

• Use season extenders – Cold frames, low tunnels, cloches and mini greenhouses can add weeks or months to harvests during marginal weather.

• Provide winter protection – Mulch with straw or leaves, wrap or shield sensitive plants from excessive rain, wind and freezing. Move pots to sheltered areas.

• Amend soil – Keep beds enriched with compost, manure, worm castings and organic fertilizers for optimal nutrition year-round.

• Control pests – Use row covers to block pests when crops are young. Handpick bugs, use organic sprays, and attract beneficial insects to manage problems.

• Ensure adequate drainage – Raised beds must have excellent drainage over winter so roots don’t sit in water and rot.

• Irrigate when needed – Don’t overwater in winter but do supply water during dry periods so plants don’t desiccate. Drip irrigation works great to precisely deliver water.