Raised Bed Plot Considerations

​Raised Bed Gardening Things to Consider
Size of raised beds:  4’ x 12’

1.  Plan based on what your garden goal is
   1. Grow favorite fresh vegetables, herbs to eat
   2. Grow something you can’t readily find at grocery or is expensive to buy
   3. Grow something to freeze or preserve for the future
   4. Grow something beautiful or as a habitat for butterflies,  or your enjoyment, etc
2. Raised beds dry out faster in the summer than in ground plots.   Success will require you to attend the raised bed more than once a week.  A mix of topsoil and compost will help retain more moisture while still having beneficial drainage.
3. If you plan to intensively garden your raised bed, adequate fertilization throughout the season will be needed.
4. Prioritize desired vegetables to grow.  Most spring planted greens and vegetables will be in full production when summer vegetables should be planted.   Leave space accordingly.

Tips for some common planted vegetables
Tomatoes—For best production of beefsteak/slicing tomatoes allow 4ft2 per plant and use a tomato cage.   The raised bed can hold a max of 6 tomato plants arranged throughout the bed.    Crowding tomatoes will result in poor air flow and more disease susceptibility.