Hey fellow gardeners! I'm diving into gardening for real this year after a not-so-great season last year, but I've learned some valuable lessons about tilling, compost, and soil mixes for raised beds. A bit about me: I live in the PNW in western WA, right on the border of Zone 8b and 9a. I've built three 8'x4' raised garden beds with some add-ons like grow lights (because of all the trees) and a pop-up irrigation system. Since I live alone, I'm hoping to grow a variety of vegetables, but I don't want to end up with an overabundance of any single plant.
Here's my plan for what to plant:
1. Bed #1: Green Beans, Cucumber, Radish, Celery
2. Bed #2: Peppers, Carrot, Current Plant (planted last year, fingers crossed for fruit!), and Beets (I know they might not play well with the peppers, but I'm thinking of planting them on opposite ends of the bed)
3. Bed #3: Asparagus, Tomatoes, Strawberry (survived from last year and I'm not sure if it'll produce)
4. Pots: Horseradish.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on my planting combinations and any watering tips! Thanks a bunch!
2 Answers
Regarding watering, it’s usually best to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. The best way to check is by sticking your finger in the soil about an inch deep. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Since you have a pop-up irrigation system, that should help automate the moisture levels!
Good to know! I’ll keep an eye on the moisture level and adjust my irrigation accordingly.
Check out this resource on mixed cropping! It covers why certain plants do better together or apart, like beets and peppers due to their root habits. You could definitely plant the beets on the far end of the bed from the peppers to avoid any conflicts.
By the way, do you have any pics of your last year’s plants? I’d love to see how your garden looks!
Thanks for the tip! Here are some pictures of my garden beds from last year - I don’t have a complete layout shot, but these show the beds I built.
Those beds look great! I love the structure you've built. How did the grow lights work out for you?
You got it! Just remember, it’s always better to water deeply less frequently than to water lightly all the time.