What to Plant in a Raised Garden Bed: The Ultimate Guide for Every Season

The best plants for raised garden beds include leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, kale), root vegetables (carrots, beets, radishes), fruiting crops (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers), herbs (basil, rosemary, thyme), and pollinator flowers (marigolds, nasturtiums). Raised beds accommodate 50+ plant varieties with proper planning and seasonal rotation.

Metal raised garden bed with tomato plants next to a backyard deck.

Best Plants for Raised Garden Beds

Plant Type	Best Varieties	Growing Time	Best Season
Leafy Greens	Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Arugula, Swiss Chard	4-8 weeks	Spring/Fall
Root Vegetables	Carrots, Beets, Radishes, Garlic	3-12 weeks	Spring/Fall
Fruiting Vegetables	Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Squash	8-12 weeks	Summer
Legumes	Green Beans, Sugar Snap Peas	8-10 weeks	Spring/Summer
Perennial Herbs	Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Lavender, Oregano	Ongoing	Year-round
Annual Herbs	Basil, Cilantro, Parsley, Dill	6-8 weeks	Spring/Summer
Pollinator Flowers	Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Sunflowers, Zinnias	6-10 weeks	Summer
Edible Flowers	Pansies, Calendula, Cornflowers	8-10 weeks	Spring/Summer

Best Vegetables for Raised Garden Beds (30+ Varieties)

Leafy Greens for Raised Beds

Rows of fresh lettuce, kale, and swiss chard in a wooden garden box.

Lettuce – Ready to harvest in 4-6 weeks. Varieties include butterhead, romaine, iceberg, and leaf lettuce. Plant with radishes or carrots to maximize space.
Spinach – Nutrient-dense green that prefers cooler temperatures. Harvest in 6-8 weeks. Plant in early spring or autumn. Grows well alongside strawberries and peas.
Kale – Cold-hardy superfood that tolerates frost. Varieties include curly kale, lacinato (dinosaur) kale, and red Russian kale. Plant with onions or herbs to deter pests.
Swiss Chard – Known for vibrant rainbow-colored stems. Produces continuously when harvested correctly throughout the growing season.
Arugula – Peppery salad green that grows rapidly in 3-8 weeks. Succession plant every 2 weeks for continuous harvest. Pairs well with bush beans.

Root Vegetables for Raised Beds

Carrots – Require deep, loose soil (at least 12 inches). Harvest in 60-80 days. Best varieties: Nantes, Danvers, Chantenay. Plant with chives or onions to repel carrot flies.
Beets – Dual-purpose vegetables providing both roots and edible greens. Harvest in 50-70 days. Beet greens can be harvested earlier for salads. Plant with lettuce or cabbage.
Radishes – Fastest-growing vegetable, ready in 3-4 weeks. Perfect for filling gaps between slower-growing plants and succession planting every 2 weeks. Deter cucumber beetles when planted with cucumbers.
Garlic – Plant cloves in autumn for summer harvest. Thrives in well-drained raised bed soil and rarely suffers from soil-borne diseases. Grows well with tomatoes and roses.

Fruiting Vegetables for Raised Beds

Growing tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers on trellises in a raised bed.

Tomatoes – Need full sun (6-8 hours daily) and support with cages or stakes. Harvest in 60-85 days. Best varieties: Cherry tomatoes, Roma, Beefsteak. Plant basil alongside to improve flavor and repel pests.
Peppers (Bell Peppers, Chillies, Sweet Peppers) – Harvest in 60-90 days. Need consistent warmth and grow well vertically with support. Plant near basil or onions for natural pest protection.
Cucumbers – Train on vertical trellises to save space or allow them to cascade over bed edges. Bush varieties available for compact growing. Harvest in 50-70 days. Grow with radishes, peas, or nasturtiums.
Squash (Zucchini, Butternut, Summer Squash) – Use trellises for vining varieties or bush varieties for smaller beds. Ready in 45-60 days (summer squash) or 80-100 days (winter squash). Plant with corn and beans or nasturtiums.

Legumes for Raised Beds

Green bean vines and pea plants climbing bamboo stakes in a garden.

Green Beans – Available as bush beans (compact, no support) or pole beans (climb supports, higher yield). Harvest in 50-60 days with continuous production. Plant with carrots, cucumbers, or cabbage. Avoid planting near onions or garlic.
Sugar Snap Peas – Sweet, edible-pod peas for vertical supports. Prefer cooler spring or autumn weather. Grow on trellises or pea fencing. Harvest in 60-70 days. Grow well with carrots, turnips, radishes, and corn.

Best Herbs for Raised Garden Beds (15+ Varieties)

Perennial Herbs (Return Year After Year)

Fragrant rosemary, lavender, and sage plants in a backyard raised bed.

Rosemary – Fragrant, drought-tolerant Mediterranean herb. Grows into small shrubs with woody stems. Prefers full sun and dry conditions.
Thyme – Low-growing, spreading herb perfect for raised bed edges. Extremely drought-tolerant. Varieties include lemon thyme, common thyme, and creeping thyme.
Sage – Hardy herb with soft, silvery leaves. Pairs beautifully with rosemary and thyme.
Lavender – Requires excellent drainage, full sun, and minimal watering once established. Annual pruning recommended.
Oregano – Vigorous grower that spreads readily. Best in sunny, dry conditions. Greek oregano offers the strongest flavor.

Annual Herbs (Replant Each Year)

Lush green basil and dill growing in a wooden raised garden bed.

Basil – Thrives in warm weather. Requires regular harvesting for bushier growth. Varieties: Sweet basil, Thai basil, purple basil, lemon basil. Ready in 6-8 weeks. Plant with tomatoes for improved growth and pest protection.
Cilantro – Fast-growing herb that prefers cooler weather. Plant in spring or autumn. Harvest before flowering (bolting). Ready in 3-4 weeks.
Parsley (Biennial) – Grows in sun or partial shade. Flat-leaf (Italian) for cooking, curly parsley for garnishing. Biennial that grows for two years. Slow to germinate but long-lasting.
Dill – Aromatic herb with feathery foliage. Grows quickly in 6-8 weeks. Self-seeds readily and attracts beneficial insects.

Herb Placement Tips

Edge planting: Plant low-growing herbs like thyme and oregano along raised bed edges where they cascade over sides
Container control: Plant invasive herbs (mint, lemon balm) in containers sunk into the soil to prevent spreading
Height placement: Place tall herbs like dill and fennel on the north side to avoid shading shorter plants
Sun requirements: Mediterranean herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender) need full sun; parsley and cilantro tolerate partial shade

Best Flowers for Raised Garden Beds

Pollinator-Friendly Flowers

Sunflowers, zinnias, and marigolds attracting bees in a sunny garden bed.

Marigolds – Vibrant orange and yellow flowers that repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes. Plant throughout vegetable beds. Bloom continuously until frost. Choose French marigolds (compact) or African marigolds (tall).
Nasturtiums – Edible flowers with peppery flavor. Act as trap crops attracting aphids away from vegetables. Edible leaves and flowers for salads. Trailing varieties cascade over bed edges and self-seed readily.
Sunflowers – Attract bees and beneficial insects. Provide vertical interest. Grow at bed edges or corners to avoid shading. Dwarf varieties available for smaller beds. Seeds attract birds in autumn.
Zinnias – Attract butterflies and pollinators. Bloom from summer through frost. Excellent cut flowers in a wide range of colors and heights.

Edible Flowers

Bright orange calendula and blue cornflowers blooming in a garden planter.

Pansies – Cold-hardy flowers with sweet flavor. Edible petals for salads and garnishes. Bloom in cool weather (spring and autumn). Mild, slightly sweet taste.
Calendula – Bright orange flowers with medicinal properties. Attracts pollinators. Edible petals for teas and salads. Self-seeds readily and blooms for months.
Cornflowers (Bachelor’s Buttons) – Blue flowers that attract bees. Easy to grow from seed. Self-seeding annual with edible petals. Long-lasting cut flowers.

Seasonal Planting Guide for Raised Garden Beds

Spring (March-May)

Early Spring: Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Radishes, Carrots, Onions, Kale, Parsley
Late Spring (after last frost): Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Squash, Beans, Basil

Summer (June-August)

Main Crops: Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Squash, Beans, Basil, Zinnias, Sunflowers
Mid-Summer: Plant Bush beans, Lettuce, Arugula for autumn harvest

Autumn (September-November)

Autumn Crops: Kale, Spinach, Lettuce, Radishes, Carrots, Beets, Swiss chard, Garlic, Peas

Tip: Plant garlic in late autumn for next summer’s harvest

Winter (December-February)

Cold-Hardy Crops (with protection): Kale, Spinach, Winter lettuce, Mâche, Overwintered garlic

Tip: Use cold frames or mulch heavily to extend season

Common Planting Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid These Combinations:

Onions/Garlic + Beans/Peas (stunts growth)
Tomatoes + Brassicas (compete for nutrients)
Fennel + Most vegetables (inhibits growth)
Potatoes + Tomatoes (share diseases)

Raised garden beds offer the perfect environment for growing 50+ varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Start with easy-to-grow crops like lettuce, radishes, and herbs, then expand to include tomatoes, peppers, and vertical crops as you gain confidence.

Use succession planting and companion strategies to maximize your harvest throughout the growing season. Whether you’re growing fresh salads, flavorful herbs, or colorful flowers to attract pollinators, Outsunny raised garden bed provides an accessible, efficient, and rewarding way to garden year-round.

Ready to start your raised bed garden? Explore our collection of durable garden planters & stands designed to maximize your growing space and complement any outdoor area.

Explore Aosom’s Raised Garden Beds

FAQs

1. How deep should a raised garden bed be for vegetables?

Most vegetables need 6-12 inches of soil depth. Leafy greens and herbs grow well in 6-8 inches, while root vegetables like carrots need at least 12 inches. Deep-rooted crops like tomatoes thrive best in beds 12-18 inches deep.

2. Can I use regular garden soil in raised beds?

Avoid using only garden soil as it compacts easily. Instead, use a mix of 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% perlite or vermiculite. This creates the loose, well-draining environment raised bed plants need to thrive.

3. How do I protect raised bed plants from pests without chemicals?

Use physical barriers like row covers for young plants, hand-pick larger pests like caterpillars, introduce beneficial insects (ladybugs, lacewings), and spray neem oil for aphids. Companion planting with marigolds and nasturtiums also deters pests naturally.

4. Should I cover my raised bed in winter?

In cold climates, cover beds with 4-6 inches of mulch (straw, shredded leaves) to protect soil and overwintering crops. In mild climates, plant cold-hardy greens and use row covers during frost. Never leave beds bare, cover crops and prevent erosion.