Planning a Small Raised Bed: Soil, Layout, and Plant Choices

A 41" x 21" x 17" cedar raised bed offers about 6 square feet of growing space. With smart planning, you can enjoy herbs, vegetables, and even a tomato.

Bed Preparation

Line the bottom with hardware cloth to deter voles. Fill with a 1:1:1 mix of topsoil, compost, and coarse sand or perlite. Add a balanced organic fertilizer at planting.

Plant Layout Suggestions

• Tomato (cherry): One plant, staked, at the north edge so it doesn't shade others.
• Peppers: Two plants, 12" apart.
• Basil: Three plants interplanted with peppers.
• Zucchini & Cucumber: One each on opposite corners, trained up a trellis to save space.
• Herbs (parsley, thyme, oregano): Along the front edge.

Key Tips

Plant cucumbers and squash on opposite sides to reduce cross-pollination issues. Water deeply at the base, mulch with straw, and fertilize monthly with fish/seaweed emulsion. Your children will love harvesting from this compact, productive bed.