When I first started working as a garden consultant, I thought that garden design was just figuring out the best spot to place a wooden box. Now, I know that there are dozens of ways to plot out your kitchen garden space to combine form and function, including our most classic and tested layout options:
The reason we can plant intensively and grow way more plants in a raised bed than we could in the ground is because the raised garden bed provides room for roots to dig down deep, the soil provides the nutrients they need to thrive, and the trellis provides vertical support and encourages larger plants to grow up and stretch out.
Raised garden beds have become increasingly popular for growing vegetables herbs, and flowers. Growing in raised beds offers many advantages over traditional in-ground gardening. The beds can be built to a comfortable working height, prevent soil compaction provide better drainage, and allow for more control over the soil environment.
If you’re new to raised bed gardening. follow these tips to get the most out of your raised beds
Choose the Right Location
When selecting a spot for your raised bed, make sure it gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Avoid placing it under trees or shrubs that will compete for sun, water and nutrients. Pick a level spot that has easy access to a water source.
Determine the Correct Size
A typical raised bed is 4 feet wide by 8 feet long, which provides enough room for most crops without being difficult to reach across. The width of your bed should be narrow enough that you can comfortably reach the center from both sides without stepping into the bed Longer beds can be difficult to navigate
Pick Good Building Materials
Common options for raised beds include wood, stone, concrete blocks, bricks, and galvanized metal. Cedar and redwood resist rot naturally. Make sure any treated lumber you use is safe for gardening. The material you choose depends on your budget and aesthetic preferences.
Build Shorter Beds
There’s no need to build a tall raised bed. A height of 12-18 inches is sufficient for root growth for most vegetables. Shorter beds are easier to reach across and fill with soil. Plus, you avoid the cost of filling excess height.
Create Wide Paths
Leave at least 3 feet between beds so you have room to walk and maneuver tools or a wheelbarrow. Wider paths also allow space for mowing or applying mulch between beds.
Use Quality Garden Soil
When filling your bed, use a quality potting mix or blend of top soil and compost. Avoid native soils with high clay content. Adding compost improves drainage and provides nutrients. Fill the bed to the top, as soil will settle.
Don’t Add Gravel, Landscape Fabric or Cardboard
Contrary to common myth, materials like gravel, landscape fabric or cardboard will not improve drainage or prevent weeds in a raised bed. They can actually create more problems. Just use soil.
Consider Irrigation Early
Plan any irrigation like drip hoses before planting, so you can place them correctly. Trying to add irrigation later around existing plants is difficult. Drip irrigation keeps plant leaves dry and targets water to roots.
Follow Optimal Plant Spacing
The soil in a raised bed doesn’t get compacted, so you can space plants closer together than in a traditional garden. Follow spacing guidelines on seed packets, but plant in squares or offset rows instead of single file rows.
Use Compost as Mulch
Mulch helps retain moisture and reduce weeds. Each year apply 1-2 inches of compost or leaves over the soil as mulch. Over time, the compost will mix into the soil and replenish nutrients.
Avoid Permanent Plants
Don’t plant perennial herbs, flowers or berries in a vegetable raised bed. They can spread aggressively and be difficult to remove later. Keep raised beds for annual veggies that are rotated each year.
Monitor for Pests
Check beds frequently for signs of common pests like slugs, snails and aphids. Raised beds do not deter pests. Row covers can prevent insect pests before they take hold. Be prepared to take action at first sightings.
Use Crop Rotation
Rotating vegetable families to different beds each year reduces disease and pest pressure. Mix up plant families – avoid planting tomatoes, peppers or melons in the same spot each year.
Top Off Beds Annually
Expect raised beds to settle by a few inches in the first year. After that, top off beds with 1-2 inches of compost or soil mix each spring to replenish nutrients and maintain the ideal height.
Following these tips will lead to raised beds that are highly productive, require less work and maintenance, and provide years of enjoyment. Don’t be afraid to experiment to find what works best for your unique growing environment and gardening style.
The Best Width for Raised Beds
Unlike height, the possible width and length of your raised bed might be limited by the space you have available.
The minimum width Id recommend for a raised bed is 18 inches. Anything less across just doesnt afford you the full benefits of growing in a raised bed—there wouldnt even be room to plant more than one or two plants across your bed, especially not if they need to spread out. If you can find a space for a bed thats at least two feet wide, that would be preferable.
The maximum width you would want for a raised bed is about four feet wide, and that would only be for beds that youre able to access from all four sides. Anything beyond four and a half to five feet typically makes plants in the middle of the bed too difficult to reach (unless you have very long arms).
If you can only tend from one side because your bed is up against a wall or fence, I’d recommend staying under two and a half feet, which is probably about as far as your arm can reach.
Ideal Raised Garden Beds Dimensions
There are three general parameters for raised bed size: the height, the width, and the length.
7 Beginner Raised Bed Garden Mistakes to Avoid
FAQ
What vegetables should not be grown in a raised bed?
- Potatoes.
- Asparagus.
- Artichokes.
- Rhubarb.
- Corn.
- Wheat.
- Rice.
- Winter Squash.
How deep does a raised bed need to be for a garden?
They should have at least 8 inches of soil depth to accommodate the root systems of plants, because the majority of plant roots require 6 – 8 inches of soil for healthy root growth. A depth of 8 – 12 inches will suffice for most gardening situations.
How to garden in a raised bed for beginners?
Steps to Planting a Raised Bed
Remove any rocks or debris. Plants in raised beds may be spaced a little closer together because there’s no need to allow for walking space as in a row garden. Plant lettuce by poking holes in the soil with your finger at 6-inch intervals, and sprinkle a few seeds into each hole.