Raised beds are an excellent way to control soil quality, enhance drainage, and create an environment more conducive to successful gardening. However, not all plants thrive in raised beds, and planting certain varieties can lead to disappointment. To get the most out of your raised bed, it’s essential to know which plants to avoid and what alternatives will work better.
Here are five plant varieties you should skip when gardening in raised beds, along with recommendations on what to grow instead.
1. Corn
Corn is a tall, space-hungry plant that’s typically better suited for larger gardens or open fields. The size of a raised bed, even if large, limits how much corn you can grow. Since corn requires a lot of space to pollinate effectively, growing just a few stalks can result in poor yields. Corn is also a heavy feeder, meaning it depletes the soil of nutrients quickly, which is a concern for a raised bed’s limited soil volume.
What to plant instead:
For a raised bed, you’re better off growing crops that don’t require as much space or soil nutrients. Bush beans or pole beans are excellent alternatives. They take up less space and are light feeders, making them ideal for a raised bed environment. Plus, beans fix nitrogen in the soil, enhancing its fertility for future crops.
2. Potatoes
Potatoes are another plant that doesn’t thrive in a raised bed. These tubers need a lot of depth and space to grow underground, and raised beds can be too shallow to accommodate them properly. Additionally, potatoes can become more susceptible to pests and diseases in confined spaces, such as wireworms or blight.
What to plant instead:
If you want to grow a root crop, consider carrots or radishes. Both of these vegetables have shallower root systems and can grow well in the typical depth of a raised bed. For carrots, ensure the soil is loose and stone-free to allow them to develop properly. Radishes, on the other hand, mature quickly and can be harvested in just a few weeks.
3. Vining Squash
Vining squash varieties like pumpkin or butternut squash are better suited for sprawling garden spaces. These plants grow aggressively and take up a lot of room, with vines that can easily overrun the entire raised bed. Raised beds tend to be compact, making it difficult to manage large vining plants without sacrificing space for other crops.
What to plant instead:
If you love squash, opt for bush varieties like bush zucchini or bush acorn squash. These plants grow in a more compact manner and are perfect for raised beds. You can enjoy the same delicious harvest without the massive vine takeover that vining squash plants would cause.
4. Large Rooted Perennials
Certain perennials, like asparagus and rhubarb, develop large, deep root systems that can quickly outgrow a raised bed. While these plants can thrive for many years in a permanent garden bed, their roots will eventually spread to the edges of a raised bed and restrict the growth of neighboring plants. Over time, these perennials will suffer from the confined root space, and so will your bed’s soil quality.
What to plant instead:
Consider planting herbs like thyme, oregano, or chives, which are perennial but do not have the extensive root systems that asparagus or rhubarb develop. These herbs are compact and thrive in raised beds, offering flavorful additions to your kitchen without overwhelming your garden space.
5. Trees and Shrubs
It might be tempting to try and grow a small fruit tree or decorative shrub in your raised bed, but these plants are not ideal for such an environment. Trees and shrubs have large root systems that need ample room to spread out and grow. Even dwarf varieties of fruit trees need much more depth and width than a raised bed can provide. Moreover, trees and shrubs can deplete the soil in a raised bed quickly, leaving little room for companion plants.
What to plant instead:
Instead of trees or shrubs, try growing compact berry bushes such as strawberries or dwarf blueberries. Strawberries grow exceptionally well in raised beds, as they don’t require much space and can be harvested frequently throughout the growing season. Dwarf blueberry bushes are small enough to thrive in the controlled environment of a raised bed while still producing a healthy crop of berries.
Bonus Tips for Raised Bed Gardening
- Soil Quality: Raised beds rely on high-quality soil for successful gardening. It’s essential to regularly amend your soil with organic matter such as compost, especially when growing nutrient-hungry plants.
- Watering: Raised beds tend to dry out more quickly than traditional garden beds, so consistent watering is key. Install drip irrigation or soaker hoses to ensure your plants get enough moisture without overwatering.
- Companion Planting: To maximize space and improve crop health, practice companion planting in your raised bed. Pairing compatible plants together can reduce pests, improve soil nutrients, and boost yields. For instance, planting marigolds near tomatoes can help repel harmful insects.
Conclusion
Raised bed gardening offers many advantages, but to get the best results, it’s important to choose plants that suit the unique conditions of a raised bed. Avoid planting large, sprawling, or deep-rooted plants like corn, potatoes, and vining squash, as they can quickly overwhelm the space and deplete soil nutrients. Instead, focus on crops that are compact, lightweight feeders, and well-suited to the controlled environment of a raised bed. With careful planning, you can cultivate a thriving, productive raised bed garden that rewards you with fresh produce all season long.
