Back to Garden & Landscape

Peer-Reviewed

Sample Planting Guide for Raised-Bed Garden

  • David Whiting
  • Carol O’Meara
  • Carl Wilson
  • Reviewed by Chris Hilgert & Cassey Anderson

The following tables are guides for planting a family vegetable garden in a block-style layout [Figure 1]. It is based on a raised bed system with boxes four feet wide and rows typically running across the bed (four feet long). Planting times are based on May 15 and October 1 average frost dates, typical of Colorado’s Front Range. In other areas, adjust the planting dates using local average frost dates.  

Estimated planting for fresh use and projected yields are estimates on what a family of four may consume in fresh use during the harvest period. Actual plantings should be adjusted to the family’s likes for various vegetables and desire for canning, freezing, and storage.  

A rectangular raised bed made of 2x6" lumber set on edge. The bed is surrounded by wood mulch paths ans planted with six varieties of leafy greens and one variety of onions in rows perpendicular to the long axis of the bed.
Figure 1. A block-style raised bed design.

Cole Crops (Cool Season)

In warm weather, cole crops come on rapidly with reduced quality (sweetness). Check every couple of days for harvestable stage, & store crops in a fridge. Crops over-mature rapidly in warm temperatures. They tolerate a mild frost into the mid to low 20s. Cole crops can be stored in a fridge or root cellar for winter use. 

Table 1. Broccoli, Cabbage, & Cauliflower Planting Guide

Block Style SpacingEstimated Planting for Fresh Use & 
Projected Yield		Planting TimeHarvest Period
3 plants across a 4’ wide block.  
Rows 18” apart. 		Spring planting for summer harvest:  

Plant 1-2, 4’ rows each per planting.  
1 head per plant = 3 heads per 4’ row. 		Early April: Broccoli & cabbage from transplants.  

Early May: Broccoli, cabbage, & cauliflower from transplants. 		June to early July (1-3 weeks per plantings, depending on temperatures). Varieties that produce side-shoots may prolong harvest.   
Summer planting for fall harvest:  

Plant 2-3+, 4’ rows each.  
1 head per plant = 3 heads per 4’ row. 		Mid-July from direct seed. Early September until frost. Harvest crops as needed.  

Leafy Vegetables & Salad Crops (Cool Season)

Harvest leafy vegetables by cutting off the leaves. Plants will grow back for a continuous harvest. 

Table 2. Lettuce (Leaf & Soft Head Types) Planting Guide

Block Style SpacingEstimated Planting for Fresh Use & Projected YieldPlanting Timeharvest period
Thin to 7-9”.  
Rows 7-9” apart. 		Plant 1-3, 4’ rows, with assorted varieties per planting:  

~ 6 heads per 4’ row, 
~ 3 lbs. per 4’ row. 		Early April. May-June. 
Early May. June-July (depending on temperatures). 
Late July. Early September+. 
Mid-August. Late September+. 

Table 3. Spinach Planting Guide

Block Style SpacingEstimated Planting for Fresh Use & Projected YieldPlanting Timeharvest period
Thin to 4-6”.  
Rows 6” apart. 		Plant 1-3, 4’ rows per planting:  

~ 8 bunch per 4’ row, 
~ 2 lbs. per 4’ row. 		Early April. May-June. 
Early May. June-July (depending on temperature). 
Late July. Early September+. 
Mid-August. Late September+. 

Table 4. Chard & Kohlrabi (a Cole Crop) Planting Guide

blocking style spacingEstimated Planting for Fresh Use & 
Projected Yield		planting timeharvesting period
Thin to 7-9”.   
Rows 7-9” apart. 		Chard: Plant 1-2, 4’ rows, 
~ 4 lbs. per 4’ row.  

Kohlrabi: Plant 1-2, 4’ rows per planting, 
~ 6 heads per 4’ row. 		Early April. June. 
Early May. Mid-June to early July (depending on temperatures). 
Mid to late July. September+. 

Onions (Cool Season)

Table 5. Dry Onions Planting Guide

blocking style spacingestimated planting for fresh use & projected yieldPlanting TimeHarvest Period
4-6” between plants. 
Rows 4-6” apart. 		Plant 2-5, 4’ rows:  

~ 10 bulbs per 4’ row, 
~ 3 lbs. per 4’ row. 		Early April to early May. Mid-summer through fall. 

Table 6. Green Onions Planting Guide

Block Style Spacing
Estimated Planting for Fresh Use & Projected Yield		Planting TimeHarvest Period
2-3” between plants.  
Rows 2-3” apart. 		Plant 1-2, 4’ rows:  

~ 4 bunches per 4’ row. 		Early April to early May. Early summer through fall. 

Table 7. Leeks (Soup Onions) Planting Guide

Block Style SpacingEstimated Planting for Fresh Use & Projected YieldPlanting TimeHarvest Period
4-6” between plants. 
Rows 4-6” apart. 		Plant 1-2, 4’ rows:  

~ 10 bulbs per 4’ row. 		Early April to early May. Fall into winter.  For winter harvest, leave in the garden & mulch to protect from extreme cold. Dig as needed. 

Peas (Cool Season)

Peas are easier to pick in a single or double row rather than in blocks. Early plantings give higher yields. Fall plantings are prone to powdery mildew & have lower yields, making them questionable. 

Table 8. Peas Planting Guide

Block Style SpacingEstimated Planting for Fresh Use & Projected YieldPlanting TimeHarvest Period
Thin to 3-4”.   
Rows 8”+ apart.  		Plant a 20’ double row: 

~ 12 lbs. per 20’ double row. 		Early April to early May as soon as soil temperature reaches 40ºF. June 
Plant a 20’ double row:  

~ 6 lbs. per 20’ double row. 		Mid July. September  

Potatoes (Cool Season)

Table 9. Potatoes Planting Guide

Block Style SpacingEstimated Planting for Fresh Use & Projected YieldPlanting TimeHarvest Period
3-4 plants. across a 4’ wide bed.  
Rows 15” apart. 		Plant a 16’ by 4’ bed:  

~ 72 pounds. 		Early May. July+. 

Beans (Warm Season)

Table 10. Pole Beans Planting Guide

Block Style SpacingEstimated Planting for Fresh Use & Projected YieldPlanting TimeHarvest Period
Thin to 4”.  
Single row. 		Plant a 10-20’ row:  

~ 10 lbs. per 10’ row. 		Mid-May. July until first frost. 

Table 11. Bush Beans Planting Guide

Block Style SpacingEstimated Planting for Fresh Use & Projected YieldPlanting TimeHarvest Period
Thin to 4”.   
Double row. 		Plant a 10-20’ row:  

~ 10 lbs. per /10’ double row. 		Mid-May. July until first frost. 

Corn (Warm Season)

For pollination, corn must be planted in block with 4+ rows wide. Harvest period depends on any variety is only 10 to 20 days. For continual harvest of fresh corn, plant varieties with 20+ days difference until harvest or do a second planting 20-30 days after the first. 

Table 12. Corn Planting Guide

Block Style SpacingEstimated Planting for Fresh Use & Projected YieldPlanting TimeHarvest Period
9” between plants.  
4+ rows 		Plant a block of 4, 6’ rows:  

~ 60 ears 		Mid-May or Mid-June. Late July to October. 

Eggplants (Warm Season)

Plant in late May when temperatures are consistently above 60ºF. A Wall-Of-Water can be used for earlier production. 

Table 13. Eggplants Planting Guide

Block Style SpacingEstimated Planting for Fresh Use & Projected YieldPlanting TimeHarvest Period
3 plants across a 4’ row.  
Rows 18-24” apart. 		Plant 1, 4’ row:  

~ 12 fruit per 4’ row (4 fruits per plant) 		Late May August until first frost. 

Peppers (Warm Season)

Plant in late May when temperatures are consistently above 60ºF. A Wall-Of-Water can be used for earlier production.  

Table 14. Peppers Planting Guide

Block Style SpacingEstimated Planting for Fresh Use & Projected YieldPlanting TimeHarvest Period
3 plants across a 4’ row.  
Rows 18” apart. 		Yields vary with variety.  

Plant 1-4, 4’ rows, depending on use:  

~ 18 bell peppers/4’ row (6 fruit per plant). 		Late May. August until first frost. 

Tomatoes (Warm Season)

Plant in late May when temperatures are consistently above 60ºF. A Wall-Of-Water can be used for earlier production. 

Table 15. Tomatoes Planting Guide

Block Style SpacingEstimated Planting for Fresh Use & Projected YieldPlanting TimeHarvest Period
24” between plants.  
Trellis in single row. 		Plant 3-6 plants, depending on use:  

~ 26 lbs. (½ bushel) per plant. 		Late May August until first frost for large tomatoes.  

July until first frost for small tomatoes. 

Vine Crops (Warm Season)

For maximum yields, do not let cucumbers, zucchini, or summer squash fruit get large on the vine. A Wall-Of-Water can be used for earlier production of summer squash. 

Spacing & spread of cantaloupes, watermelons, pumpkins, and winter squash may vary. Some may spread outside of the raised beds, so you should direct vines to grow away from pathways. These vine crops provide great ground cover for garden areas.  

Table 16. Cucumbers Planting Guide

Block Style SpacingEstimated Planting for Fresh Use & Projected YieldPlanting TimeHarvest Period
6” between plants.  
Trellis in single row. 		Plant 2-4 plants, depending on use:  

~ 1 lb. per plant. 		Mid-May for direct seeding.  

Late May for tansplants. 		Mid-July until first frost. 

This publication, reference GardenNotes #721, is developed as part of the Colorado State University Extension Master Gardener Program.