What Are Raised Beds?

At their simplest, raised beds are soil mounds created directly on the ground, but they are often framed with wood, bricks or other materials for a neat finish. Raised beds are usually filled with a mixture of high-quality potting soil, compost and/or leaf mold. They drain well and are excellent for otherwise difficult areas such as stony, compacted, contaminated, very wet, or nutrient-poor soils. They can even be used on hard surfaces. By attaching hoops to the edges of the beds, netting or shade cloth can easily be added for added crop-protection.

Which Size of Raised Bed is Best?

For home vegetable gardens, narrow beds up to four feet wide are best, as this enables the gardener to reach into the center of the bed. This avoids the requirement for digging and disturbing the existing soil structure, and soil compaction is reduced as there is no need to walk on it. Raised beds are also useful for gardeners with limited mobility as they reduce the need to bend and can even be built on raised platforms for wheelchair access.

Raised beds can be used for any size garden from a small 4 x 8 feet to a large backyard garden. Read more about building raised beds.

Credit: Del Boy

Planning Your Raised Bed Garden

Garden Plans for Raised Beds

Below are examples of garden plans created by Almanac readers with the Almanac Garden Planner!

1. Raised Bed Layout: Community Garden

Garden Location:  Escalon, California
Garden Size:  41’ 11” x 30’ 1”

See plant list!

2. Raised Bed Layout: Backyard Garden

Garden Size:  25’ 0” x 29’ 11”
Garden Location:  Hobbs, New Mexico
Sun or Shade: Sunny
Garden Soil Type: Good soil

See plant list!

3. Raised Bed: School Garden

Garden Size: 55’ 11” x 80’ 11”
Garden Location:  Learning Farm
Sun or Shade: Sunny
Garden Soil Type: Poor soil

See plant list!

Looking for more garden plans? See free layouts for other types of gardens.

Plan Out Your Raised Garden!

Ready to start planning your own garden? Learn more and try out the Garden Planner for free today!