Row Spacing and Direction in Raised Beds

by Adam
(West Virginia)

I have two 4'x12' raised beds (boxes) and I am getting ready to plant vegetables. How close do I put the rows? Do I go the 4' way or 12' way? I am just starting and want to do it right. Please help.

ANSWER:

Hi Adam,
It is usually better to plant your garden (in-ground or raised bed) with the rows running from east to west. Taller plants should be on the northern side, and shorter plants on the southern side of the garden.

This prevents the taller plants from creating shade for the shorter plants. Almost all vegetable garden plants prefer full-sun for maximum growth and production. That is why it is more important that you plant taller plants on the northern side of the garden, than whether the rows run length-wide or across the beds.

The spacing of the rows will be determined by the individual space requirements of the vegetables that you are planting.

The seed packets or seedling plants that you purchase will give you spacing requirements for that particular plant.

Smaller vegetables such as carrots and green onions require just a couple of inches for each plant. But a tomato or zucchini plant may require up to 4 or 5 FEET of space!