Raised Bed Gardening Things to Consider
Size of raised beds: 4’ x 12’
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.
Size of raised beds: 4’ x 12’
- Plan based on what your garden goal is
- Grow favorite fresh vegetables, herbs to eat
- Grow something you can’t readily find at grocery or is expensive to buy
- Grow something to freeze or preserve for the future
- Grow something beautiful or as a habitat for butterflies, or your enjoyment, etc
- 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.
- If you plan to intensively garden your raised bed, adequate fertilization throughout the season will be needed.
- 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.
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.