What To Plant In A Raised Garden Bed?

With endless options- from leafy greens to root vegetables to vibrant flowers and herbs- deciding what to plant in a raised garden bed can be an exciting yet overwhelming task. For this, understanding the garden’s surrounding environment, soil quality, and the season is crucial. But how do you know which plants will thrive in this unique elevated gardening setup? What to plant in a raised garden bed?

In this post, we will be highlighting the advantages of elevated garden beds and unveiling the best plants to grow in a raised garden bed for every season. Let’s dive in and turn your gardening goals into a reality.

Why use Raised Garden Beds to Grow Plants?

Before we jump into the best things to plant in a raised garden bed, let’s briefly explore why raised beds are so popular. Raised garden beds have numerous benefits, especially for those with limited space or low soil quality. The elevated design allows for better drainage, reducing the risk of waterlogging and root rot. Moreover, raised beds allow you to have complete control over your soil composition, which is essential for growing healthy plants.

Additionally, raised garden beds make gardening more accessible and reduce the need for bending and kneeling, making it ideal for both beginner and experienced gardeners. Whether you’re growing vegetables, herbs, or flowers, raised garden beds offer an optimal growing environment that can significantly boost plant health and yields. Let’s dig in!

What Can You Grow in a Raised Garden Bed?

Best Vegetables to Grow in Elevated Garden Beds

Raised beds are perfect for growing a wide variety of vegetables due to their superior soil control and drainage. But not all veggies are created equal when it comes to thriving in this environment. Here are the best vegetables for elevated garden beds:

1. Leafy Greens

Leafy greens with shallow roots, like spinach, kale, and lettuce are perfect for raised garden beds, making them ideal for the improved drainage that raised beds offer. As leafy greens grow quickly, they allow you to harvest them multiple times in a season. Plant your choice of greens in partial shade to prevent them from bolting in the summer heat.

Why they’re great: They thrive in well-draining soil and can be grown throughout the year, depending on the variety.

2. Tomatoes

Tomatoes love the warm soil found in raised garden beds, making them one of the best things to plant in raised garden beds. Varieties like cherry tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes flourish in the rich, loose soil of raised beds, which promotes healthy root growth. Use a trellis or support system to keep the plants upright and encourage airflow.

Why they’re great: Tomatoes are heavy feeders, and the nutrient-rich soil in raised beds helps them produce a higher yield.

3. Carrots

Carrots need loose, well-draining soil to grow straight and long. Raised garden beds are ideal for this, as you can control the soil quality and depth. Choose shorter varieties if your bed is not too deep and thin your carrot seedlings to give each plant enough room to grow without crowding.

Why they’re great: The loose soil in raised beds allows carrots to grow without obstruction, leading to a more successful harvest.

4. Peppers

Bell peppers, hot peppers, and other varieties of pepper thrive in warm, well-draining soil. Like tomatoes, peppers are heavy feeders, so they benefit from the nutrient-dense soil you can create in raised beds. For healthy growth, use mulch around your pepper plants to retain moisture and keep the roots cool.

Why they’re great: Peppers produce high yields in the controlled environment of a raised garden bed.

5. Cucumbers, Melons, and Squash

Cucumbers, melons, and squash grow rapidly and take up a lot of space, but they’re well-suited for raised beds, using a trellis to grow them vertically. Also, the good drainage in raised beds helps prevent root rot, a common issue with cucumbers in traditional ground planting. As these veggies thrive in warm conditions, plant them after the last frost, around mid-May.

Why they’re great: Raised beds allow cucumbers to grow more effectively and faster, especially when provided with vertical support.

What Flowers to Plant in a Raised Garden Bed

Adding perennial flowers to your raised garden bed not only attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies that repel garden pests but also enhances beauty year after year with minimal upkeep. Below is a list of some of the best flowers to plant in a raised garden bed:

1. Coneflowers (Echinacea)

Known for their striking daisy-like blooms and medicinal properties, boosts the immune system, and are a favorite among gardeners. Coneflowers attract pollinators, especially birds with their vibrant shades of purple, pink, and white, making them great for promoting biodiversity in your garden. Plant them in the early spring or fall to give the roots time to establish before summer heat or winter frost.

Why they’re great: Coneflowers are hardy, adaptable, and excellent drought-tolerant, perfect for the well-drained soil raised beds provided under full sun.

2. Black-Eyed Susans

A.K.A Rudbeckia, with their bright yellow petals and deep brown centers, Black-Eyed Susans are showstoppers that bloom from mid-summer to early fall. Their ability to tolerate various weather conditions makes them a versatile choice for different climatic zones. Plant them in early spring or late fall in well-drained, moderately fertile soil to allow the roots to settle in before the extreme temperatures hit.

Why they’re great: They thrive in the loose, rich soil of raised beds and are highly tolerant of heat and humidity.

3. Lavender

Lavender not only adds fragrance and beauty to your elevated garden but also offers a soothing scent and has various culinary and medicinal uses. These pretty perennial drought-tolerant flowers make them perfect for the well-drained soil conditions your elevated garden beds offer. Plant lavender in a sunny spot in your raised bed for optimal growth.

Why they’re great: Lavender attracts bees and butterflies while deterring pests such as mosquitoes.

4. Shasta Daisies

Shasta Daisies, with their cheerful white petals and bright yellow centers, are a garden classic perennial flowers that bloom in early summer and continue until early fall, providing long-lasting beauty to floral arrangements. These perennials thrive in full sun under well-drained soil easily available in raised garden beds with minimum care.

Why they’re great: Raised beds offer the perfect soil conditions for Shasta Daisies to spread and grow, especially in colder winter zones, as they can withstand frost well.

5. Daylilies

Daylilies are known for their hardiness and vibrant shades of colors make a rewarding addition to any raised garden bed when planted from spring through late summer. These perennials adapt to various climates and soil types, making them one of the best plants to grow in a raised garden bed. Though each bloom lasts only a day, the plants produce so many flowers that you’ll have constant color throughout the summer.

Why they’re great: Daylilies are incredibly low-maintenance and pest-resistant and thrive in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil, making raised beds their perfect home.

Companion Plants to Grow in a Raised Garden Bed

Understanding which plants are friendly and which aren’t is crucial before deciding the best plants to grow in a raised garden bed. For this, companion planting is a great way to maximize your planting growth, enhance flavor, attract pollinators, and keep harmful pests away.

Due to the controlled soil environment and good drainage in vertical garden beds, whether you’re growing culinary herbs or medicinal varieties, it allows you to create a healthy, more productive garden environment.

Here are some of the best companion herbs to grow in raised garden beds:

1. Basil

Basil is an essential herb for any raised garden bed, especially if you’re growing tomatoes. It’s not only a fantastic culinary herb but also a great companion plant that repels pests like mosquitoes and flies. Pinch back the flowers to encourage bushier growth and prevent the plant from going to self-seeding.

Why it’s great: Basil thrives in the rich soil of raised beds and helps improve the flavor of surrounding vegetables.

2. Thyme

Thyme is a hardy herb that requires little maintenance, making it perfect for raised beds. It’s drought-tolerant and can be planted alongside vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and onions. For healthy growth, plant thyme where your garden receives the full sun.

Why it’s great: Thyme attracts beneficial insects while deterring harmful ones.

3. Cilantro

Cilantro grows best in cool weather, and the quick drainage of a raised garden bed can help prolong its growing season. This herb pairs well with leafy greens and root vegetables. Plant cilantro in partial shade to prevent it from bolting in the heat.

Why it’s great: Cilantro is fast-growing and can be harvested multiple times during its growing season.

4. Parsley

Parsley, another edible addition to your garden, is a versatile herb that can be grown biennially in raised beds in early to mid-spring and late summer. It’s a great companion plant for tomatoes and carrots, and its iron and vitamin-rich leaves can improve the health of neighboring plants. To boost production, harvest parsley regularly when they are big enough to use by cutting the stems at the base.

Why it’s great: Parsley is easy to grow and provides a continuous supply of fresh herbs for cooking.

5. Onions

Plant onions where you’ll grow your carrots to keep away the flies. While carrots break up the soil, allowing onions to grow more effectively.

Why it’s great: Keeps carrot flies away and soil from breaking or cracking up from the bottom.

Pros & Cons of Growing Plants In A Raised Bed?

Growing plants in a vertical or raised garden bed offers numerous benefits, but it also comes with a few challenges. Take a quick look at the pros and cons of cultivating biennial and perennial plants in a raised bed:

Advantages:

• Improved Soil Drainage: Raised beds offer superior drainage, reducing the risk of root rot and ensuring your plants grow in optimal conditions.
• Weed Control: Raised beds make it easier to keep weeds at bay, providing your plants the space and nutrients they need to thrive.
• Nutrient Control: Prepare the soil mixture in raised beds to make sure your plants receive the proper nutrients over their life cycle.
• Space Efficiency: Raised garden beds allow efficient use of space, helping you manage multiple plants while monitoring their growth easily.
• Better temperature regulation: Raised garden beds mix up perfectly with changing climatic temperatures, helping your plants to have a strong start in the growing season.

Disadvantages:

• Frequent Watering: Raised garden beds tend to dry out faster than traditional garden beds. Meaning, you may need to water your plants more often to maintain the required moisture levels.

Prepare Your Own Raised Garden Bed

Filling and preparing a raised garden bed is the foundation for a successful, healthy garden. However, the process can feel a bit overwhelming if you’re unsure where to start. Keep in mind– the key is to create a nutrient-rich, well-draining environment where your plants can thrive.

A balanced soil mix consists of three main components: garden soil, compost, and organic matter. This combination provides the right texture, fertility, and drainage that most plants need. Follow the below guidelines:

– Start by filling your raised bed with a soil mix that’s about 60% topsoil, 30% organic compost, and 10% organic matter like peat moss or coconut coir.
– Using organic matter, like shredded leaves or aged manure helps improve aeration and moisture retention.

This mix ensures that your raised garden bed drains well but retains enough moisture for roots to absorb, giving your plants the best start possible.

Conclusion

Deciding what to plant in a raised garden bed can feel like a daunting task. But, with the right choices, you can get a thriving garden that provides both beauty and bounty. From the best vegetables for elevated garden beds to stunning flowers and edible herbs, your raised garden bed can offer the perfect environment for a variety of plants.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these tips will help you to make the most out of your raised garden bed that flourishes season after season. So, grab your gardening gloves and start planting—you’re one step closer to enjoying the fruits and veggies of your hard work.