How Do I Plant Raised Vegetable Beds?

Gardeners often choose to plant vegetables in raised beds instead of in ground-level garden plots. The advantages of raised beds include looser soil, more weed control, better drainage, and less back strain for the gardener.

Planning

Plan how many vegetables to grow in each bed and how close to plant them. Look up the planting distance for specific vegetables on their seed packets, online, or in a book. For example, spinach needs to be about 4 inches apart, and tomatoes require at least 1 foot of space between plants.

Prepare Beds

Vegetables grow best in fertile soil that is loosely packed. Loosen the soil in raised beds by digging it up with a shovel. Incorporate organic material such as compost, manure, or peat moss into the top few inches of the loose soil before spreading it out evenly and leveling it.

Plant Vegetables

For the best chances of survival, wait until a month before the last frost for cool-season vegetables, and after the last frost for warm-season vegetables. Plant seeds at the spacing and depth indicated on the seed packets, and plant seedlings at the spacing recommended, with the soil level just below the seed leaves.

References

• "All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space!"; Mel Bartholomew; 2006