Jacki Cammidge is a Certified Horticulturist specializing in frugal, low-input gardening and propagation, with lifelong hands-on experience and years as a wholesale nursery head propagator.

Raised Bed Planting Guide

Got raised beds and don't know how to transfer into growing plants in this unique and different way? Here's a guide for that. Use these tips to get going, I bet you'll never go back.

Here’s a raised-bed version of the soil-temperature planting guide.

Why raised beds are different
- Soil in raised beds warms faster in spring
- They drain better, so seeds are less likely to rot in cold wet soil
- They can also dry out faster in hot weather
- In many areas, raised beds are ready 1–2 weeks earlier than in-ground beds

Use soil temperature, not calendar only
Check temperature 1–2 inches deep in the morning.

Raised-bed planting by soil temperature

35–45°F
Can plant very early cool-season crops
- Spinach
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Radishes

Tips
- Germination may still be slow
- Use row cover or low tunnels for even earlier planting
- Keep soil lightly moist, not soggy

45–55°F
Good for most cool-season roots and brassicas
- Carrots
- Beets
- Swiss chard
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Dill

Tips
- Raised beds help carrots and beets germinate more evenly if moisture is maintained
- Cover carrot seed lightly and do not let the surface dry out

55–65°F
Transition zone for more crops
- Potatoes
- More lettuce
- More carrots
- Some corn at the upper end
- Transplant hardy greens

Tips
- This is a good time for succession planting
- If nights are still cold, warm-loving crops should still wait

60°F+
Safe range for many warm-season direct-sown crops
- Beans
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Squash
- Pumpkins

Tips
- Raised beds often reach this temperature sooner than ground soil
- Black plastic or dark mulch can warm the bed even faster
- Do not plant beans into cold damp soil

65–75°F+
Best for heat-loving crops
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Melons
- Basil
- Okra

Tips
- These are usually transplanted, except some melons and okra
- Warm soil helps roots establish faster
- Mulch after the soil is warm to hold moisture and reduce stress

Simple raised-bed seasonal guide

Very early spring
Plant when bed soil reaches 35–45°F
- Spinach
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Radishes
- Onions

Early to mid-spring
Plant when bed soil reaches 45–55°F
- Carrots
- Beets
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Herbs like parsley and cilantro

Late spring
Plant when bed soil reaches 60°F
- Beans
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Squash
- Pumpkins

Late spring to early summer
Plant when bed soil reaches 65–75°F
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Melons
- Basil
- Okra

Raised-bed advantages
- Earlier spring planting
- Better drainage
- Easier weed control
- Easier soil improvement
- Good root growth for carrots and other root crops

Raised-bed cautions
- Beds can dry out quickly, especially in sun and wind
- Soil can get too hot in summer
- Seeds near the surface may fail if the top layer dries out

Best practices for raised beds
- Water gently and consistently during germination
- Add compost to improve moisture holding
- Use row cover for cold nights
- Use mulch after seedlings are established
- In hot climates, consider afternoon shade for lettuce and greens
- Recheck soil temperature often because raised beds change faster than in-ground soil

Quick raised-bed rule
- Cool crops first
- Warm crops after 60°F
- Heat lovers after 65°F and frost is past

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