5 Vegetables That Are Easy to Nurture and Flourish in Elevated Planting Boxes

Easy-Care Veggies Perfect for Elevated Garden Boxes:

Dive into the hot trend of raised garden beds, a favorite among garden enthusiasts, even Joanna Gaines can't resist! Made from various materials such as wood, composite wood, steel, or stone, these bad boys can be customized to perfection for your outdoor space. See? You're one step closer to a flourishing green oasis!

If you're itching to plant your fresh crops, these top veggies for beginners will thrive in raised garden beds:

Kevin Lenhart, landscape architect and design director at Yardzen
Shannon Cowan, gardener and editor at Eartheasy

Nailing Raised Garden Bed Best Practices

While climate can play a role in what grows in raised beds, here's a heads-up from Kevin Lenhart-design director at Yardzen. "Raised beds let you take control over soil composition, moisture content, and soil exposure," he says. "With a bit of tweaking, you can create the ideal environment for nearly any plant that fits in the bed." Remember, keep those soil moisteners at the ready, as raised beds dry out quickly.

Shannon Cowan, a gardener and editor at Eartheasy, suggests soil that's well-draining, loosely structured, and rich in nutrients. "Go for a loamy texture with lots of organic matter to keep that moisture in check," Cowan advises. "Adding compost and organic fertilizer will help too."

Easy-Grow Veggies Prospering in Elevated Planters: Notable Choices for Minimal Care Gardeners

If you dream of a riot of colorful flowers, six-inch-deep garden beds should do. However, if you're aiming for veggies, deeper beds are essential to accommodate their complex root systems (at least 12 to 24 inches, suggests Cowan). And while you're at it, locate those sun-worshipping beds somewhere with 6 to 8 hours of direct, glorious sunlight.

Here's the Veggie Lineup:

BeetsSweet, earthy, and vibrant, beets flourish in raised beds, thanks to the "loose, deep soil, which is ideal for root vegetables," says Lenhart. Beets prefer consistently moist (but not soggy), well-draining soil, and require at least 6 hours of sun a day. Once sprouts achieve a few leaves, thin 'em out, and you should be 'beet'-ing harvested within 50-70 days.
CarrotsCarrots, another root lover, also do well raised. "They crave cool, moist conditions with great drainage to keep root rot at bay," advises Lenhart. Be sure to give 'em plenty of room to stretch out, at least 12 to 18 inches deep. Like beets, thin out those sprouts once the leaves start growing. To ensure a successful crop, steer clear of planting carrots near other root vegetables, as they tend to compete for resources and spread diseases among themselves. Harvest when green tops are mature, about 70 to 80 days post-planting.
Bush BeansCompact, quick-growing, and prolific, bush beans, also called green beans or string beans, adore raised garden beds. "Settle those little guys in beds that are two feet deep or more, that receive a solid eight hours of sunlight every day," suggests Cowan. Watch it if they ain't producing pods – they might need a bit more sunlight.
KaleWith its cool tolerance, kale makes a great addition to raised beds. Preferring a sandy-loamy soil with strong sunshine, seize the opportunity to add those leafy greens to your salads! Just keep in mind, while kale is pals with other brassicas, it inhibits the growth of nightshades like tomatoes. Harvest after roughly 7 weeks from planting seeds.

Hungry for more veggie ideas? Check out our article on the 15 Best Plants to Grow Next to Tomatoes!

Sources:[1] Hugelkultur Method: https://www.jberger.com/gardening-beginner/reasons-hugelkultur-patch-ideal-garden[2] Compost vs Topsoil: https://permaculturenews.org/2017/05/14/compost-topsoil-difference/[3] Substituting Perlite, Vermiculite, Peat Moss, and Coconut Coir for Soil: https://www.thespruce.com/substitute-peat-moss-perlite-vermiculite-for-soil-1817646[4] Raised Bed gardening: https://gardenomy.com/raised-bed-gardening[5] Benefits of Compost for Raised Bed Gardens: https://www.urbanext.illinois.edu/compost/compost_raised_bed_gardening.cfm

5 Vegetables that flourish in elevated garden beds, with minimal care required

Raised garden beds, favored by garden enthusiasts like Joanna Gaines, offer control over soil composition, moisture content, and soil exposure, as recommended by Kevin Lenhart, design director at Yardzen.
Shannon Cowan, a gardener and editor at Eartheasy, recommends well-draining, loosely structured soil rich in nutrients for raised garden beds.
For a riot of colorful flowers, six-inch-deep garden beds are suitable, while deeper beds (at least 12 to 24 inches) are essential for veggies to accommodate their complex root systems, according to Shannon Cowan.
Beets, sweet, earthy, and vibrant, thrive in raised beds due to their preference for loose, deep soil, as noted by Kevin Lenhart. Carrots, another root lover, also do well raised, requiring cool, moist conditions with great drainage.
Bush beans, compact, quick-growing, and prolific, adore raised garden beds, particularly those that are two feet deep or more and receive eight hours of sunlight every day, as suggested by Cowan.
Kale, with its cool tolerance, makes a great addition to raised beds, preferring a sandy-loamy soil and strong sunshine, and inhibiting the growth of nightshades like tomatoes.