Do you want to grow your food in a beautiful, elevated garden? Raised bed gardens provide an ideal environment for producing high yields of delicious produce year-round without the hassle of traditional gardening. Raised beds are a great option if you have limited space or poor soil quality, as they allow you to control and customize certain garden elements. They are easy to change and maintain, enabling you to stay on top of harvesting seasons and crop rotation.
You can produce bountiful harvests with little maintenance by planting vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers in raised bed gardens. Read on to learn about all the details here.
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Here are 15 Easiest Crops to Plant in Raised Bed Gardens
The raised bed makes gardening much easier; however, choosing the right crops can be difficult. Because there are plenty of options to choose from. That’s why I have gathered those 15 easier crops to grow in a raised bed:
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a popular and versatile vegetable that can be used in many dishes. They are easy to grow, making them a great choice for gardeners of all levels. A tomato plant thrives in loose soil with deep roots eager to feed heavily. Raised garden beds are a fantastic addition to them since they thrive in full sun.
When planting tomatoes, it is important to give them plenty of space so they can reach their full potential. To avoid shading out other plants, plant tomato plants in the rear of a raised garden bed since they can grow quite tall. Additionally, adding tomato cages for support will help keep the plants upright and healthy as they grow.
2. Peppers
Peppers are a great choice for raised bed gardens because they require minimal maintenance and can be harvested throughout the season. Peppers come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, making them a fun addition to any garden.
They love full sun and well-drained soil, so ensure your raised bed has plenty of both. When planting peppers, give them plenty of space to spread out and provide support if needed. Peppers are also a great companion plant for tomatoes, so consider planting them together in the same bed.
3. Carrots
Carrots are a great vegetable to grow in a raised bed. They are easy to plant and require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for beginner gardeners. A raised bed’s loose, aerated soil gives carrots plenty of room to grow and develop their tasty roots.
Carrots require different care, but you can generally plant 18 per square foot. Carrot seeds are tiny and must only be planted about ¼ of an inch deep. Gently water the carrots after planting, ensuring not wash away the tiny seeds.
You may want to plant twice as many seeds as you hope to grow in your space since some may not germinate or survive due to pests or other factors.
4. Radishes
Radishes are fast-growing vegetables harvested in as little as four weeks. They love full sun and well-drained soil, making them ideal for raised bed gardens. When planting radishes, give them plenty of space to spread out and provide support if needed. Additionally, adding compost or aged manure to the soil will help keep the plants healthy and productive.
5. Lettuce
Lettuce is a cool-season crop that can be harvested throughout the season. It loves full sun and well-drained soil, making it an ideal choice for raised bed gardens. When planting lettuce, give it plenty of space to spread out and provide support if needed. Additionally, adding compost or aged manure to the soil will help keep the plants healthy and productive.
6. Spinach
Spinach is a cool-season crop that can be harvested throughout the season. It loves full sun and well-drained soil, making it an ideal choice for raised bed gardens. When planting spinach, give it plenty of space to spread out and provide support if needed. Additionally, adding compost or aged manure to the soil will help keep the plants healthy and productive.
7. Beans
Beans are a great choice for raised bed gardens because they require minimal maintenance and can be harvested throughout the season. They love full sun and well-drained soil, so ensure your raised bed has plenty.
When planting beans, give them plenty of space to spread out and provide support if needed. Additionally, adding compost or aged manure to the soil will help keep the plants healthy and productive.
Here is an informative table about crops that are suitable to plant in a raised bed garden:
| Crop | Benefits | Planting Season | Sun Requirements | Watering Needs | Soil Requirements | Additional Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Delicious, | Spring or early | Full sun | Regular watering | Well-draining soil | Provide support such as |
| high-yielding | summer | cages or stakes to |
8. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a great choice for raised bed gardens because they require minimal maintenance and can be harvested throughout the season. They love full sun and well-drained soil, so ensure your raised bed has plenty.
When planting cucumbers, give them plenty of space to spread out and provide support if needed. Additionally, adding compost or aged manure to the soil will help keep the plants healthy and productive.
9. Cucamelons
Cucamelons are a unique and delicious vegetable that can be grown in small spaces. They look like miniature watermelons but taste like sweet, lemony cucumbers. A trellis is needed to support these delicate veggies growing on small vines.
To get started, you can grow cucamelons indoors in compostable pots about 6 weeks before your last frost date. The entire pot can be transplanted into your raised bed after it has hardened off for a week or two. Using compostable pots is beneficial because it reduces transplant shock and allows the cucamelons to get off to a fast start.
10. Peppers and Eggplant
Eggplant and peppers are two of the most popular vegetables in raised garden beds. They thrive in the warm, well-drained soil typical of a raised bed. The soil also provides plenty of nutrients for these heavy feeders, making it easier for gardeners to keep up with their needs.
Plus, because the soil is elevated, it is easier to water and maintain consistent moisture levels for these plants. When planting peppers and eggplant, give them plenty of space to spread out and provide support if needed. Additionally, adding compost or aged manure to the soil will help keep the plants healthy and productive.
11. Potatoes
Potatoes are versatile and hardy vegetables that can be grown in various ways. One of the most successful methods is to grow them in raised garden beds. The soil in these beds is loose and well-draining, preventing rot and allowing the tubers to form fully without impeding by dense soil or rocks.
Additionally, the raised bed allows for better drainage and aeration, which helps to promote healthy root growth.
12. Strawberries
Strawberries are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed in many ways. Growing strawberries is a great way to enjoy them fresh from the garden. Providing the right conditions for strawberry plants to thrive is important to get the best results.
Warm soil and sunlight are essential for optimal growth and juicy fruit production. Raised beds offer these ideal conditions while protecting from slugs, which can quickly devour ripe berries. When planting strawberries, give them plenty of space to spread out and provide support if needed. Additionally, adding compost or aged manure to the soil will help keep the plants healthy and productive.
13. Mint
Mint is a great choice for a raised bed because it can easily take over a garden or yard. Plant it in a corner that gets full sun; once established, you can harvest often. Make sure your raised bed doesn’t become a jungle.
You will have the best luck with mint if you get some from a friend or neighbor who lives in an area with similar growing conditions. Dig up a square foot size, if possible, and get plenty of roots.
14. Onions
Onions are a great addition to any vegetable garden, as they are easy to grow and don’t take up much space. Planting onion sets in early spring is the easiest, but you can also start them from seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost date.
Onions should be planted away from peas and beans, but they can be used as a natural pest deterrent for vegetables like kale, broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, lettuce, and peppers. You can squeeze in a few more onions by planting them in the spaces between your larger plants.
Raised beds are ideal for onions, providing the perfect drainage and soil temperature for optimal growth.
15. Arugala
Arugula is a delicious and nutritious salad green that is easy to grow in a raised bed. It prefers cooler temperatures, so it’s best to plant it in an area with some afternoon shade during summer.
Planting arugula can be tricky because the seeds are small and easy to lose. To ensure success, plan out a small block of space for planting and ensure the soil is nice and smooth before sprinkling the tiny seeds across the top.
Once planted, keep the soil moist but not soggy, as too much water can cause rot or fungal diseases. Arugala will germinate quickly and be ready for harvest within a few weeks.
Which is the Perfect Location to Build Raised Bed?
When building a raised bed garden, the perfect location is key. Raised beds are an ideal way to create a beautiful and productive garden in any space, but certain factors should be considered when choosing the best spot for your raised bed.
First and foremost, you’ll want to choose a spot with plenty of sunlight. Most vegetables and herbs need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. If you’re limited on space, try to find a spot with the most sun throughout the day.
Next, you’ll want to ensure the soil is well-draining and weeds-free. Raised beds are perfect for growing vegetables and herbs because they allow you to control soil quality and drainage. If you’re building your raised bed on top of existing soil, remove any weeds or debris before adding your soil mix.
Finally, consider the size and shape of your raised bed when deciding on a location. Raised beds come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to choose a spot that will accommodate the size and shape of your bed. If you have limited space, try to find a spot that will maximize your growing area.
When is the Right Time to Plant on a Raised Bed?
Raised bed gardening is a great way to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers in your backyard. But when is the right time to plant on raised beds?
The answer depends on where you live and what plants you are growing. Generally speaking, the best time to plant in raised beds is in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Depending on your location, this usually occurs around late April or early May.
For cool-season vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and kale, you can start planting as soon as the soil has thawed and can be worked. These vegetables prefer cooler temperatures and will do best when planted in the early spring.
For warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, and beans, Wait until the soil has thawed and can be worked in the early spring to plant cool-season vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and kale. Warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, and beans should be planted after all danger of frost has passed.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. What grows best in a raised garden bed?
Raised garden beds are an excellent way to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers. With the right soil and proper drainage, raised beds can greatly maximize your gardening space and produce a bountiful harvest. Some of the best vegetables to grow in raised beds include tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, beans, lettuce, spinach, kale, carrots, radishes, beets, and onions. Herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme also do well in raised beds. Flowers such as marigolds and zinnias can also be grown in raised beds.
2. How deep should a raised garden bed be?
The depth of your raised garden bed will depend on the type of plants you are growing. A minimum depth of 8-12 inches is recommended for most vegetables and herbs. If you are growing root vegetables like carrots and potatoes, you may need to build your raised bed up to 18 inches deep.
3. How often should I water my raised garden bed?
The amount of water your raised garden bed needs will depend on the type of plants you are growing and the climate in which you live. Generally, most vegetables and herbs need 1-2 inches of water per week. If you live in a hot and dry climate, you may need to water more frequently. It’s important to check the soil regularly to ensure it is not too dry or too wet.
4. What soil should I use in my raised garden bed?
A well-draining, nutrient-rich mix is the best soil for a raised garden bed. You can purchase pre-made mixes from your local garden center or make your own by combining equal parts compost, peat moss, and coarse sand.
5. Should we raise beds to be in full sun?
When deciding whether to place a raised bed garden in full sun, it is important to consider the types of plants that will be grown. Most vegetables and herbs require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive. If the raised bed garden is located in an area with less than six hours of direct sunlight, it may be necessary to supplement the natural light with artificial lighting.
Conclusion
Raised bed gardens greatly maximize your gardening space and produce a bountiful harvest. When deciding what to plant in your raised bed garden, it is important to consider the type of plants you are growing and the climate in which you live. However, the crops mentioned above can be grown in every location. Don’t sit back; start planting those in your raised bed right now.
