What to Plant in a 4x8 Raised Bed

A 4 × 8 bed gives you 32 square feet of growing space — enough for a surprisingly varied garden. The easiest way to plan it is to divide it into one-foot squares.

Put tall plants on the north side

Tomatoes, trellised beans and peppers cast shade. Placing them along the north edge keeps shorter crops in full sun.

A sample summer layout

• 4 squares: tomatoes (1 plant per square, caged)
• 4 squares: peppers (1 per square)
• 4 squares: bush beans (9 per square)
• 6 squares: lettuce and chard (4 per square)
• 4 squares: basil (4 per square)
• 4 squares: carrots (16 per square)
• 4 squares: beets or radishes (9–16 per square)
• 2 squares: parsley and chives

Leave yourself a little flexibility

Keep one or two squares free for succession sowings — when radishes come out, something new can go in.