Spring Raised-Bed Garden Guide
Getting your bed ready, what to sow first, and when to wait for warmer weather.
By The Raised Bed Gardener Team · · 6 min read
Spring is the busiest and most exciting part of the raised-bed year. Raised beds warm and dry faster than ground beds, so you can often start a little earlier.
Prepare the bed
- Pull any weeds and leftover plant debris
- Top up with an inch or two of compost
- Loosen the surface gently with a hand fork
Early spring: cool-season crops
Lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes and many root crops can generally go in a few weeks before your area's last expected frost.
Late spring: warm-season crops
Tomatoes, peppers, beans and basil need warm soil. Planting them after frost risk has passed is the safest approach.
Know your timing
Look up your average last frost date and USDA hardiness zone through your local extension service. This site's guidance is general and can't account for your exact location.
Beginner tip: Keep a lightweight frost cloth on hand for surprise cold nights.
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