OK how big or larg do I need to make My Neew Raised Bed?

EBCIII · February 28, 2015

I am going to be making my Tomato Raised bed. It will have 8 plants in it. How long and wide should I make it and the Height? Beale.

Father'sDaughter · February 28, 2015

A lot depends on how you're going to grow them -- staked and pruned or caged. Then figure out how much space you're comfortable with between plants--there are "standards" but many of us have our own preferences.

If you don't want to walk in/on your bed, make it narrow enough that you can reach all the plants from the sides--four feet max.

Happy building!

Worth1 · February 28, 2015

Go 12 feet X 3 feet.
You will be able to get in the middle of the bed easy 4 feet is too wide I made mine 4 and wish I hadn't.

Here is a grid I tossed together so you can see how to lay out the plants.

Stagger them a little on each side to get more room.
You should be able to get I think 10 plants in it.

Worth

Bed2.jpg

EBCIII · February 28, 2015

Thanks! I want to have them like 3 feet apart I think? Is this right? 12 x3 would be easy for me. The Lumber I have is right at 12' all ready. So it will not take long. Will the 14" depth be OK? Beale.

rags57078 · February 28, 2015

14" depth is plenty

Worth1 · February 28, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by rags57078

14" depth is plenty

Me too many are shallower and do great.

Worth

Riceloft · February 28, 2015

I do 4x8 and do fine. 3x12 is probably easier to manage as Worth and others said. Mine are 12" and its just fine. Soil beneath is mostly clay.

dipchip2000 · February 28, 2015

I have eight 3ft X 12ft beds and plant only 4plants per bed. By mid season even they are well crowded. Keep in mind that indeterminates will get huge when in proper soil and taken care of. My experience has been that plants will at least grow twice as big in a raised bed with proper amended soil. Most plants are about 4 feet across and 6to7 feet tall. If you do plant 10 plants in this size bed then be ready to keep them pruned well or you will have a tomato jungle.
YMMV

ron

EBCIII · February 28, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by dipchip2000

I have eight 3ft X 12ft beds and plant only 4plants per bed. By mid season even they are well crowded. Keep in mind that indeterminates will get huge when in proper soil and taken care of. My experience has been that plants will at least grow twice as big in a raised bed with proper amended soil. Most plants are about 4 feet across and 6to7 feet tall. If you do plant 10 plants in this size bed then be ready to keep them pruned well or you will have a tomato jungle.
YMMV

ron

Well I am game!! I have all the Lumber Free! Give me your sise and why. I will make what size the size that the person than can Logically give me the reason their version is the best? I am a Game ? Heck I am a Glutton for punishment! I love this! Beale

Worth1 · February 28, 2015

Here is a link to a persons garden that used to post here.
I have been to this place and I think they are 3 x 12 or 10 foot beds.
I do believe they have something like 8 plants in each one.
Suze is one of the best tomato growers on earth.
The cages are Texas tomato cages like I have.

Worth

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=5688

And this link.
http://www.feldoncentral.com/garden/...ghlightId=5820

Enjoy.

EBCIII · March 4, 2015

Thanks for the Link Worth! Suze sure has a nice Garden! I want mine to look like that one day! Beale.

Colorado_west · March 7, 2015

At this time I have 4 4'x8' beds, Not very deep. Water faucet and hoses, After having a good half acre or more in market garden. I have never grown in beds. First year total failure. Nothing would grow in it. I want to try again this year. If my RA will allow it. I have move to a small town to be near son. Very little room to plant. I will again plant across the 4 foot . Couple tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. I can eat no greens on this diet. I can eat root crops and squash. How close can I put in beet and carrot and such rows?. No cole family I can eat. I can eat green beans and peas if limited and tomato. Any thing real rich in Vit K I can not eat.

Soil problem has been righted I think. I have some free boards and want to put a 2' wide bed along the fence. Have not measured boards but bed can be at least 40' and think boards 16' long. I have to buy dirt to put in and not sure worth the cost.?

EBCIII · March 9, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worth1

Go 12 feet X 3 feet.
You will be able to get in the middle of the bed easy 4 feet is too wide I made mine 4 and wish I hadn't.

Here is a grid I tossed together so you can see how to lay out the plants.

Stagger them a little on each side to get more room.
You should be able to get I think 10 plants in it.

Worth

Attachment 47213

Hey Worth I got the 1st set of lower panels built. I have no idea how I am going to get 8 plants in it? It just looks so small? I guess I will have to wait and see when I get my dirt in in it. Then the Tomatoes? Beale.

dipchip2000 · March 9, 2015

Just sayin

3X12 with 4 plants in each

ron

EBCIII · March 9, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by dipchip2000

Just sayin

3X12 with 4 plants in each

ron

Thanks Ron!! Beautiful Plants!! Beale.

February 28, 2015	#1
EBCIII Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: South East Va Zone 7A Posts: 306	OK how big or larg do I need to make My Neew Raised Bed? I am going to be making my Tomato Raised bed. It will have 8 plants in it. How long and wide should I make it and the Height? Beale.

February 28, 2015	#10
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Here is a link to a persons garden that used to post here. I have been to this place and I think they are 3 x 12 or 10 foot beds. I do believe they have something like 8 plants in each one. Suze is one of the best tomato growers on earth. The cages are Texas tomato cages like I have. Worth http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=5688 And this link. http://www.feldoncentral.com/garden/...ghlightId=5820 Enjoy. Last edited by Worth1; February 28, 2015 at 05:19 PM.

February 28, 2015	#2
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	A lot depends on how you're going to grow them -- staked and pruned or caged. Then figure out how much space you're comfortable with between plants--there are "standards" but many of us have our own preferences. If you don't want to walk in/on your bed, make it narrow enough that you can reach all the plants from the sides--four feet max. Happy building!

February 28, 2015	#5
rags57078 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: South Dakota Posts: 278	14" depth is plenty

February 28, 2015	#7
Riceloft Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Parma, Ohio (6a) Posts: 299	I do 4x8 and do fine. 3x12 is probably easier to manage as Worth and others said. Mine are 12" and its just fine. Soil beneath is mostly clay.

February 28, 2015	#8
dipchip2000 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 664	I have eight 3ft X 12ft beds and plant only 4plants per bed. By mid season even they are well crowded. Keep in mind that indeterminates will get huge when in proper soil and taken care of. My experience has been that plants will at least grow twice as big in a raised bed with proper amended soil. Most plants are about 4 feet across and 6to7 feet tall. If you do plant 10 plants in this size bed then be ready to keep them pruned well or you will have a tomato jungle. YMMV ron

March 4, 2015	#11
EBCIII Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: South East Va Zone 7A Posts: 306	Thanks for the Link Worth! Suze sure has a nice Garden! I want mine to look like that one day! Beale.

March 7, 2015	#12
Colorado_west Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: western Colorado zone 5 Posts: 307	At this time I have 4 4'x8' beds, Not very deep. Water faucet and hoses, After having a good half acre or more in market garden. I have never grown in beds. First year total failure. Nothing would grow in it. I want to try again this year. If my RA will allow it. I have move to a small town to be near son. Very little room to plant. I will again plant across the 4 foot . Couple tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. I can eat no greens on this diet. I can eat root crops and squash. How close can I put in beet and carrot and such rows?. No cole family I can eat. I can eat green beans and peas if limited and tomato. Any thing real rich in Vit K I can not eat. Soil problem has been righted I think. I have some free boards and want to put a 2' wide bed along the fence. Have not measured boards but bed can be at least 40' and think boards 16' long. I have to buy dirt to put in and not sure worth the cost.?