Raised garden beds offer numerous benefits, from improved drainage to deeper root systems. They are perfect for growing a wide range of plants, whether you have a small garden or want to optimize your growing space. This guide walks you through the best plants to grow, how to arrange them, and how to solve common issues that arise in raised bed gardening.
What Can You Grow in a Raised Garden Bed?
Raised beds offer the flexibility to grow a variety of plants. The key is matching your plant choices with your bed depth, sunlight exposure, and the season. Below is a quick overview of the plants that do well in raised beds based on their requirements:
| Category | Top Examples | Min. Bed Depth | Sunlight Needed |
| Vegetables | Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans | 12 inches | Full sun |
| Leafy Greens | Lettuce, spinach, kale, Swiss chard | 6 inches | Full/partial |
| Root Crops | Carrots, beets, radishes, onions | 12-18 inches | Full sun |
| Herbs | Basil, thyme, rosemary, chives | 6 inches | Full sun |
| Fruits | Strawberries, bush blueberries | 12 inches | Full sun |
| Flowers | Marigolds, nasturtiums, zinnias | 6 inches | Full sun |
Best Vegetables to Plant in a Raised Garden Bed
Raised garden beds provide excellent conditions for filling with a variety of vegetables, offering well-drained soil and ample root space. Here are the top vegetables to plant:
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes thrive in the warm, well-draining soil of raised beds. By layering your raised garden bed with different types of soil, you can create an ideal environment for strong root development, allowing seedlings to grow deep and healthy
- Spacing: 24–36 inches apart
- Depth Needed: 12–18 inches
- Support: Use cages for determinate varieties (e.g., Patio Princess) and stakes for indeterminate ones (e.g., Cherry Tomatoes).
Tip: Water tomatoes at the base, not the leaves, to prevent disease and ensure even fruit development.
2. Peppers (Sweet & Hot)
Peppers, both sweet and hot varieties, benefit from the warmer soil in raised beds. They thrive in temperatures above 50°F (10°C) and can be harvested throughout the summer.
- Spacing: 14–18 inches apart
- Depth Needed: 12 inches
- Mulch: Use straw to retain warmth and moisture.
Tip: Do not plant until nighttime temperatures stay consistently above 50°F (10°C).
3. Cucumbers
Cucumbers grow well in raised beds, especially when grown vertically on Trellises. This method saves horizontal space and improves airflow, reducing fungal disease.
- Spacing: 12 inches apart (trellised), 24 inches apart (free-sprawl)
- Depth Needed: 12 inches
- Tip: Harvest cucumbers frequently to encourage continued production.
4. Beans (Bush & Pole)
Bush beans are quick-growing, easy to manage, and produce abundantly. Pole beans require a trellis but yield more per square foot.
- Bush Beans Spacing: 4–6 inches apart
- Pole Beans Spacing: 4–6 inches along a trellis
- Depth Needed: 8–12 inches
Tip: Sow beans every 3 weeks for a continuous harvest.
5. Carrots
Raised beds provide the loose, stone-free soil that carrots need to grow long and straight. The deep soil prevents carrots from forking or becoming misshapen.
- Spacing: Thin to 2–3 inches apart after germination
- Depth Needed: 12–18 inches
Tip: Use fine compost to lightly cover carrot seeds and avoid compacting the soil.
6. Leafy Greens (Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard)
Leafy greens grow quickly and require minimal depth, making them perfect for raised beds. They also tolerate partial shade, which helps them thrive under taller plants like tomatoes.
- Spacing: 6–12 inches (head lettuce), 8–12 inches (kale and chard)
- Depth Needed: 6 inches minimum
Tip: Use the “cut and come again” method by harvesting outer leaves and allowing plants to regrow multiple times.
7. Onions & Garlic
Both onions and garlic thrive in the loose, well-draining soil of raised beds, preventing bulb rot caused by compacted soil.
- Onions Spacing: 4–6 inches apart
- Garlic Spacing: 4–6 inches apart, 2–3 inches deep
Tip: Add 1–2 inches of compost before planting for healthier bulbs.
8. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes need a long, warm growing season and the loose, nutrient-rich soil provided by raised beds.
- Spacing: 12–18 inches for slips
- Depth Needed: 12 inches minimum
Tip: Harvest sweet potatoes before the first fall frost to avoid damage.
Best Herbs to Grow in a Raised Garden Bed
Herbs love the well-draining soil of raised beds and are perfect for planting in smaller spaces. Here’s a list of the best herbs to grow:
Perennial Herbs
- Rosemary: Thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
- Thyme: A hardy herb that grows well along the edges of raised beds.
- Sage: Easy to grow and requires little maintenance.
- Oregano: Grows best in dry, sunny conditions.
Annual Herbs
- Basil: A warm-weather herb, perfect for companion planting with tomatoes.
- Cilantro: Grows quickly and is ideal for cooler weather.
- Parsley: Easy to grow and can be harvested multiple times.
Flowers for Your Raised Bed Garden
Adding flowers to your raised bed not only brightens your garden but also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. Here are the top flowers to grow:
- Marigolds: Known for their pest-repellent properties and vibrant colors.
- Nasturtiums: Edible flowers that attract beneficial insects.
- Petunias: Add color and attract pollinators to your garden.
Zinnias: Bright and colorful flowers that bloom all season long.
Raised Bed Plant Spacing Guide
Raised beds allow for intensive planting, so you can place plants closer together than traditional row gardens. Here’s a helpful spacing guide:
| Plant | In-Bed Spacing | Min. Depth | Support Needed? |
| Tomatoes | 24–36 inches | 12–18 inches | Yes, cage or stake |
| Peppers | 14–18 inches | 12 inches | Optional cage |
| Cucumbers | 12 inches (trellised) | 12 inches | Yes, trellis |
| Bush Beans | 4–6 inches | 8–12 inches | No |
| Pole Beans | 4–6 inches | 8–12 inches | Yes, trellis |
| Carrots | 2–3 inches (thinned) | 12–18 inches | No |
| Lettuce | 6–12 inches | 6 inches | No |
| Kale / Chard | 8–12 inches | 8 inches | No |
| Onions | 4–6 inches | 8 inches | No |
| Garlic | 4–6 inches | 8 inches | No |
| Basil | 12 inches | 6 inches | No |
| Zucchini | 24–36 inches | 12 inches | No (spreads out) |
| Peas | 1–2 inches | 8 inches | Yes, trellis |
| Strawberries | 12–18 inches | 8 inches | No |
Companion Planting for Raised Beds
Companion planting allows you to maximize space while benefiting plant health. Here are the best pairings for your raised bed:
- Tomatoes: Pair with basil, marigolds, parsley, and garlic. Basil helps deter pests, while marigolds protect against nematodes.
- Peppers: Plant with basil, oregano, spinach, and carrots to keep aphids away and utilize space effectively.
- Cucumbers: Best grown with beans, dill, nasturtiums, and radishes. Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, and nasturtiums deter pests.
- Carrots: Grow with chives, onions, rosemary, and peas. Onions repel carrot flies, and peas help fix nitrogen in the soil.
What NOT to Plant Together
- Tomatoes + Potatoes: They share the same pests and diseases.
- Onions/Garlic + Peas or Beans: The onion family stunts legume growth.
- Fennel: Releases growth-inhibiting compounds that harm most neighboring plants.
- Carrots + Dill, Celery: Compete for space as part of the same plant family.
Seasonal Planting Guide for Raised Garden Beds
With raised beds, you can extend your growing season by planting early in spring and late into fall.
| Season | Plant These | Notes |
| Early Spring | Lettuce, spinach, arugula, radishes, peas, onions, garlic, kale | Raised beds thaw 2–4 weeks earlier than in-ground |
| Late Spring | Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, squash, basil, sweet potatoes | Wait for consistent 50°F+ nights |
| Summer | Succession plant beans, lettuce, herbs, cucumbers | Fill gaps left by harvested crops |
| Fall | Kale, Swiss chard, beets, carrots, spinach, garlic | Use row covers to extend the season |
| Winter (Zone 7+) | Overwintering kale, garlic, spinach | Use floating row covers to protect crops |
Maximize Your Raised Bed Harvest
Raised Bed gardening provides everything you need for a productive and space-efficient garden. By choosing the right plants, practicing companion planting, and using succession planting, vertical growing, and crop rotation, you can maximize your harvest. Start your raised bed garden today and enjoy the bounty of your hard work!
FAQs
To prevent pests, incorporate companion planting like basil with tomatoes or marigolds with peppers. You can also use organic pest repellents, and regularly inspect your plants for signs of infestations.
Add a layer of mulch to retain moisture and prevent evaporation. You can also consider installing a drip irrigation system to ensure consistent moisture levels.
Check for proper plant spacing and soil depth for each vegetable. If the plants are overcrowded, they may not receive enough nutrients. Also, ensure your plants are getting the appropriate amount of sunlight.