The Raised Bed Gardener
What to Grow

Easy Vegetables You Can Grow in a Raised Bed

A short list of dependable crops with simple notes on when and how to plant each.

By The Raised Bed Gardener Team · · 5 min read

These crops are well suited to the loose, rich soil of a raised bed and are widely considered beginner-friendly.

Cool-season crops (spring and fall)

  • Lettuce — sow seeds or set transplants about 6 inches apart
  • Spinach — sow thickly and thin to 3–4 inches
  • Radishes — sow directly, thin to 2 inches
  • Peas — give them a small trellis
  • Carrots — sow shallowly and keep moist

Warm-season crops (after frost)

  • Cherry tomatoes — one per square foot, caged
  • Bush beans — sow directly into warm soil
  • Zucchini — one plant needs a lot of room; consider it for larger beds
  • Peppers — transplant once nights are warm
  • Basil — tuck in near tomatoes

Year-round-ish

Swiss chard, kale, parsley and chives tolerate a wide range of conditions and often keep producing for months.

Your next step

Build a plan with these crops

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