10 Easy-to-Grow Vegetables for Raised Beds: A Guide for Beginners Gardeners

Hello, Garden enthusiasts! 🌿

I am agronomist Meda and I am ready to share with you a list of the 10 easiest vegetables to grow specifically for raised beds. I tried it myself and made sure of it. I wish you to try it and write how it went.

Raised bed gardening has become increasingly popular among both experienced and novice gardeners. These raised beds offer many advantages:

better soil drainage,
easier pest control,
easier maintenance.

If you are planning to start your garden in beds, choosing the right vegetables is essential for a successful and abundant harvest. In this blog, I share 10 Easy-to-Grow Vegetables for Raised Beds and a guide for beginners gardeners at the end.

1. Radishes

I love radishes for three reasons:

It is one of the earliest spring vegetables. They can be sown in the early spring or late summer for a fall harvest. Radishes are generally not well-suited for summer planting in hot climates because they can bolt (go to seed) prematurely in high temperatures, leading to a less desirable harvest.
Radishes are one of the fastest growing vegetables, making them perfect for impatient gardeners. Generally, radishes can be ready for harvest in as little as 20 to 30 days from the time of sowing.
Radishes also offer a range of essential nutrients (vitamin C, B9, antioxidants, fiber and potassium).

They can be sown directly into a raised bed and harvested in just a few weeks.

2. Lettuce

Lettuce is a cool-season crop that thrives in raised beds. It has a short growing cycle, making it an ideal choice for quick and continuous harvests.

For a spring harvest, sow lettuce seeds directly into raised beds 2 to 4 weeks before the last expected frost. Lettuce prefers temperatures between 45°F to 75°F (7°C to 24°C).

There are several types of lettuce (Iceberg, Romaine, Batavian and ect.), each with its own unique characteristics in terms of flavor, texture, and appearance.

3. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are probably the most popular vegetable among gardeners and can easily be grown in raised beds. It is only important to choose a dwarf variety or those tomatoes that are grown in pots on the terrace. I myself tried these varieties ‘Pearl Drop’, ‘Vilma’.

No matter how low the tomatoes are, it is important to provide them with supports so that the plant stands firm when the harvest is ripe. Also, I recommend planting in a staggered pattern and at greater distances to get enough sun.

4. Cucumbers

Growing cucumbers in raised beds has been very successful for me. They are classified as creepers, so they need more space, but I don’t support them at all and let them grow freely outside the bed.

I myself grew the fertile variety ‘Mirabelle’, so the harvest was particularly high and only two seedlings were enough.

In the spring, I sowed the seeds in a pot for germination, and I took the seedlings out to plant in the bed only when the weather warmed up. When soil temperatures rise to 60°F (15°C), seeds can also be sown directly into the soil and will germinate well there.

5. Peppers

This year I also tried growing peppers in raised beds. In early spring, I planted them in pots for germinating, because the sprouts take a very long time to grow. They require warm temperatures and plenty of sunlight. My mistake was that I planted the peppers next to the tomatoes, which blocked the sun and did not ripen them. Don’t do that!

Peppers are great because they come in a variety of colors. Select different colored varieties to add visual appeal to your garden and plate.

6. Herbs

Growing herbs in raised beds is a great way to supplement your diet with aromatic plants. Select herbs that thrive in your climate and growing conditions. Common herbs that do well in raised beds include basil, parsley, cilantro, thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, and mint. Grow ones to use in cooking, drinking teas or as home fragrances.

Herbs not only have a positive effect on nutrition, but also repel pests in raised beds. For example, planting basil near tomatoes can improve the flavor and growth of both plants, while herbs like rosemary and thyme can act as natural pest repellents.

7. Spinach

I fell in love with spinach simply because it is not only suitable for salads, but also for green smoothies.

Spinach is a cool-season crop, and it prefers cooler temperatures for germination and growth. Plant spinach seeds in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. For a fall harvest, sow seeds in late summer, allowing enough time for the plants to mature before the first frost.

8. Carrots

Carrots thrive in loose, well-draining soil, making raised beds an ideal environment. Choose shorter varieties for easier cultivation, and enjoy sweet, homegrown carrots in a few months.

Carrot seeds are tiny, and proper spacing is crucial for healthy root development. Sow seeds directly in the raised bed, either by broadcasting or planting in rows. Aim for a spacing of 1-2 inches (2-5 cm) between seeds, and thin seedlings to 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) apart once they emerge.

9. Dill

Dill is a fragrant and aromatic herb that is especially loved by Lithuanians and beyond.

Choose a variety that suits your preferences and intended use, whether it’s for fresh leaves, seeds, or both. Some popular varieties include Fernleaf (compact and ideal for containers), Bouquet (standard variety with aromatic leaves), and Mammoth (tall with larger leaves and seeds).

10. Strawberries

It is a very fun experience to grow strawberries in raised beds. They grow very well and look beautiful. Of course, it also gives delicious and nutritious berries!

Since strawberry seeds are very small and take a long time to germinate, I sowed them in a box very early in the spring. Later, I transplanted them into nurseries and only when the weather warmed up I planted them in raised beds.

There they mated well, grew many whiskers and reproduced on their own. A very good solution is to plant them (like cucumbers) near the side of the bed, because then they get more sun and the berries grow along the sides of the bed.

My recommendation is to start gardening with raised beds, and to make the experience even more enjoyable, use this list of vegetables. These ten easy-to-grow vegetables provide a varied and flavorful harvest, making them perfect for both beginners and seasoned gardeners looking to maximize their indoor yields. Remember to adapt your choices to local climate and soil conditions for best results.

Happy gardening! 🌿

Meda founder of “Garden Mood” 🌼