GardenNotes #721

Sample Planting Guide for Raised-Bed Garden

The table is a guild for planting a family vegetable garden in a block-style layout.  It is based on raised beds system with boxes four feet wide and row typically running across the bed (four feet long).  For additional information on block-style raised-bed planting, refer to CMG GardenNotes #713, Block Style Layout in Raised Bed Vegetable Garden.

Planting times are based on a May 10th and October 10th average frost dates, typical of Colorado’s Front Range. 

Estimated planting for fresh use and projected yields are estimates on what a family of four could 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. 

Additional Information CMG GardenNotes on vegetable gardening:

[ top ]

Authors: David Whiting, Carol O’Meara and Carl Wilson: Colorado State University Extension.

o Colorado Master Gardener GardenNotes are available on-line at www.cmg.colostate.edu.
o Colorado Master Gardener training is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Colorado Garden Show, Inc.
o Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating.
o Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.
o No endorsement of products mentioned is intended nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.
o Copyright © 2003-2006. Colorado State University Extension. All Rights Reserved. CMG GardenNotes may be reproduced, without change or additions, for non-profit educational use. Revised December 2006.


Cool Season Planting Groups

Cool Season Planting Groups Crops Block Style Spacing Estimated planting for fresh use
Projected Yield		 Planting Time Harvest Period
Cole Crops Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower 3 plants across a 4’ wide block (row) with 18” between rows 1-2, 4’ rows each per planting

1 head per plant = 3 heads per 4’ row		 Spring planting for summer harvest:
  1. Early April -- Broccoli and cabbage from transplants
  2. Early May – Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower from transplants
 Spring plantings/summer harvest in June to early July (1-3 weeks per plantings, depending on temperatures)
In warm weather crops come on rapidly with reduced quality (sweetness).   Check every couple of days for harvestable stage, and store crops in fridge.  Crops over-mature rapidly in warm temperatures. 
2-3+ 4’ rows each.

1 head per plant = 3 heads per 4’ row		 Summer planted for fall harvest:
Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower by direct seed, Mid-July for fall harvest		 Summer planting/fall harvest – 4-8+ weeks with excellent quality due to cool fall temperatures.
Harvest crops as needed.  They tolerate a mild frost into the mid to low 20’s and can be stored in fridge or pit for winter use.
Leafy Vegetables & Salad Crops
(Kitchen garden)		 Lettuce (leaf and soft head types) Thin to 7-9” in rows, with rows 7-9” apart 1-3, 4’ rows, with assorted varieties per planting
~ 6 heads per 4’ row
~ 3 lbs. per 4’ row
  1. Early April
 May-June
  1. Early May
June-July (depending on temperatures)
  1. Late July
 Early September+
  1. Mid August
Late September+
Spinach Thin to 4-6” in rows with 6” between rows 1-3, 4’ rows per planting
~8 bunch per 4’ row
~2 lbs. per 4’ row
  1. Early April
 May-June
  1. Early May
 June-July (depending on temperature)
  1. Late July
 Early September+
  1. Mid August
 Late September+
Chard Thin to 7-9” in row with 7-9” between rows 1-2, 4’ rows
~ 4 lbs. per 4’ row		 Late April to Early May Harvest by cutting off leaves, plants grow back, for summer long harvest
Kohlrabi
(a cole crop)		 Thin to 7-9” in row with 9” between rows 1-2, 4’ rows per planting
~ 6 heads per 4’ row
  1. Early April
 June
  1. Early May
 Mid June to early July (depending on temperatures)
  1. Mid-Late July
 September+
Onion Family
(Kitchen garden)		 Dry onions 4-6” in rows, 4-6” between rows 2-5, 4’ rows
~ 10 bulbs per 4’ row
~ 3 lbs. per 4’ row		 Early April to Early May
Onions are sensitive to photoperiod, the early the planting the larger the bulbs.		 Mid summer through fall
Green onions 2-3” in rows, 2-3” between rows 1-2, 4’ rows
~ 4 bunches per 4’ row		 Early April – Early May Early summer through fall
Leeks (soup onion) 4-6” in rows, 4-6” between rows 1-2, 4’ rows
~ 10 bulbs per 4’ row		 Early April – Early May Fall into winter (For winter harvest leave in garden and mulch to protect from extreme cold.  Dig as needed.)
Peas Peas Thin to 3-4” in rows with 8”+ between rows
Note: Peas are easier to pick in a single or double row rather than in the block-style plantings		 20’ double row
~ 12 lbs per 20’ double row
  1. Early April to Early May, as soon as soil temperature reaches 40º – Peas are sensitive to photoperiod, early plantings give higher yields.
 June
20’ double row
~ 6 lbs. per 20’ double row
  1. Mid-July
 September
Note: fall plantings are prone to powdery mildew and have lower yields, making them questionable.
Potatoes Potatoes 3-4 plants across a 4’-row, with rows 15” apart A 16’ by 4’ bed of potatoes would produce around 72lbs., mature size, potatoes Early May July+
Mulch with straw
Root Crops Carrots Thin to 2-3” in row with rows 3” apart 6-18+, 4’ rows
~ 4 lbs.  per 4’ row		 Early May July through fall.  Can be left in the garden and mulched for winter harvest.
Beets Thin to 4-6” in row with 6” between rows 1-2, 4’ rows per planting
~ 4 lbs. per 4’ row
  1. Early May
 June-July -- Thin for beet greens.  Harvest roots while young (small) for best quality
  1. Mid July
 September-October -- Thin for beet greens.  Harvest roots while young (small) for best quality
Parsnips Thin to 5-6” in row with 6” between rows 2-6, 4’ rows
~ 4 lbs. per 4’ row		 Early May For late fall to winter harvest, after soils cool.  Mulch for harvest through the winter.
Radish Thin to 2-3” in row with 3” between rows 1-2, 4’ rows per planting
~ 4 bunches per 4’ row
  1. Early April
 Early May
  1. Early May
 Early June
  1. Early August
 Early September
  1. Late August
 Late September
Turnips Thin to 4-6” in row with 6” between rows 1-2, 4’- rows per planting
~ 4 lbs. per 4’ row
  1. Early May
 June-July -- Thin for greens.  Harvest roots while young (small) for best quality
  1. Mid July
 September-October -- Thin for greens.  Harvest roots while young (small) for best quality

Warm Season Planting Group

Warm Season Planting Group Crops Block Style Spacing Estimated planting for fresh use
Projected Yield		 Planting Time Harvest Period
Beans Pole beans 4” in single row 10-20’ row
~ 10 lbs. per 10 foot row		 Mid May July till frost, with adequate water
Bush beans 4” in double row
Beans are easier to pick in a single or double row rather than block-style planting		 10-20’ row
~ 10 lbs. per /10 foot double row		 Mid May July till frost, with adequate water
Corn Corn For pollination, corn must be planted in block with 4+ rows wide.  In a block-style garden, plant 4 rows with 2 rows each going the length of the box, in 2 boxes side by side.   Space plant 9” in the row. A block of 4, 6-foot rows will give ~60 ears
  1. Mid May
  2. Mid June
 Late July to October --
Harvest period on any variety is only 10 to 20 days.   For continual harvest of fresh corn plant varieties with 20+ days difference till harvest OR make second plants 20-30 after the first.
Peppers and Eggplants Eggplants 3 plants across a 4’-row, with rows 18-24” apart 1, 4’ rows
~ 12 fruit per 4’ row (4 fruit per plant)		 Late May, temperatures consistently above 60º August till frost
(A Wall-Of-Water can be used for earlier production)
Peppers 3 plants across a 4’-row, with rows 18” apart 1-4, 4’ rows, depending on family use
Yields vary with variety
~ 18 bell peppers/4’ row (6 fruit per plant)		 Late May, temperatures consistently above 60º August till frost
(A Wall-Of-Water can be used for earlier production)
Tomatoes Tomatoes Trellis in single row at 24” spacing 3-6 plants, depending on family use
~ 26 lbs. (½ bushel) per plant		 Late May, temperatures consistently above 60º August till frost
(A Wall-Of-Water can be used for earlier production)
Vine Crops Cucumbers Trellis in single row at 6” spacing 2-4 plants, depending on family use
~ 1 lb. per plant		 Mid May for direct seeding OR
Late May for transplants		 Mid July till frost
For maximum yields, do not let fruit get large on the vine.
Zucchini and other summer squash Single row down center of 4’-wide box; two plants take 4’ by 8’ 2 plants Mid may for direct seeding or Late May for transplants Mid July till frost
(A Wall-Of-Water can be used for earlier production)
Cantaloupes, Watermelon, Pumpkins, and Winter Squash 1-3 plants per type, as desired by family
2-6 fruit per plant		 Single row down center of 4” wide box with 2-3’ between plants.
Makes a great ground cover for garden areas.
~ 3-4 fruit per plant		 Late May, temperatures consistently above 60º September-October

Return to top of page

Updated Wednesday February 11 2009, David Whiting