Raised Beds Month-by-Month Growing Guide

Welcome to the wonderful world of raised bed gardening. Whether you're a novice gardener or are looking to enhance your gardening skills, cultivating plants in raised beds offers a fantastic opportunity to unleash your green fingers and thumbs. In recent years, raised beds have surged in popularity among British gardeners, becoming a staple for cultivating vibrant and productive gardens. The elevated structures offer numerous benefits, including improved drainage, better soil quality, and ease of access for planting and maintenance. As more garden enthusiasts recognise their versatility, raised beds have become a favoured choice, enhancing both the aesthetics and productivity of gardens.

In this month-by-month guide, we'll explore the diverse array of seeds and bulbs that can transform your raised beds into a flourishing oasis throughout the year – even while living in the UK!

Quick Links

January - planning and preparation

• Assess space and plan your raised bed layout: Take a stroll around your garden, imagining the possibilities. Consider the sun's journey and the shadows it casts. It's like setting a stage for your plants – give them the best seats in the house!
• Choose seeds for hardy winter vegetables: Think of January as the strategic planning phase. Select robust seeds like the gardening equivalent of superheroes – kale, spinach and winter lettuces. They're the caped crusaders of the vegetable world, ready to withstand the winter chill.
• Companion planting and crop rotation: Pair up plants that complement each other, such as tomatoes and basil. Rotate your crops to keep things fresh and disease-free.
• Add well-rotted compost: It's the raised bed equivalent of a hearty breakfast. Your plants need their daily vitamins, so treat them to some well-rotted compost.

February - early sowings

• Sow seeds indoors or in a greenhouse: Tomatoes, peppers and aubergines are all great choices for this time of year.
• Prepare raised beds: Show your raised beds some love by prepping them for the growing season.

March - spring awakening

• Sow cold-hardy vegetables: It's time to embrace the elements and sow directly into your raised beds. Carrots, radishes and peas are your floral arrangements for this springtime party.
• Top up raised bed soil with organic matter: Think of this as giving your garden a nutritional boost. It's like sending your veggies to a spa retreat – they come back rejuvenated and ready to dazzle.

April - blooming beginnings

• Plant herbs: Time to add a touch of zest to your garden with herbs. Chives, parsley and mint will begin to thrive and can be added to many recipes.
• Introduce pollinator-friendly flowers: Marigolds and calendula aren't just pretty faces; they're the social butterflies of the garden, inviting beneficial insects to pollinate.
• Address weeds and ensure raised beds are well-watered: Consider this the garden's version of spring cleaning. Weed out the unwanted guests and make sure your raised beds stay hydrated – no wilting allowed!

May - full swing

• Sow vegetables: May is the month when your garden comes to life. Consider planting beans, courgettes and beetroot directly into your raised beds.
• Add support structures: Install trellises or stakes, turning your raised beds into a botanical amphitheatre. Let the climbing commence!
• Plant bulbs: May is not just about veggies; it's about introducing colour explosions with flower bulbs. Gladioli and lilies all add beautiful bursts of colour.

June - midsummer delights

• Harvest early crops: June is when your garden starts showing off its talents. Harvest lettuce, radishes and strawberries – the early performers in your horticultural orchestra.
• Plant heat-loving vegetables: With the summer heat (hopefully) kicking in, it's time to introduce heat-loving plants. Cucumbers and pumpkins are the garden's sunbathers, soaking up every ray. Make sure they have plenty of SPF (Soil Protection Factor) with plenty of mulch.
• Monitor water levels: Ensure your raised beds stay quenched throughout the sunny spells.

July - peak productivity

• Continue harvesting summer fruits and vegetables: Your garden is now in full swing. From plump blueberries to curvy courgettes, you’re now a seasoned pro.
• Preserve surplus crops: With abundance comes responsibility. Preserve surplus crops through freezing, canning or pickling.

August - late summer bounty

• Maintain plant health: August is about keeping the garden in top form. Water regularly and apply a mulch layer.
• Plant late-season crops: Extend the growing season with late-season crops like kale and radicchio or Italian chicory.
• Plan for autumn: While basking in late summer glory, it’s time to start planning for autumn. Sow winter greens like Brussels sprouts – you’ll need plenty for Christmas!

September - transition to autumn

• Plant winter vegetables: Bid farewell to summer and embrace the autumnal transition. Plant more winter vegetables such as leeks, carrots and parsnips.
• Remove spent summer plants: It's the garden's version of a wardrobe change. Tidy up and make way up for the autumn performers.
• Cover raised beds: As the nights get cooler, cover your raised beds with fleece or cloches. It's like tucking your garden into a cosy blanket for a good night's sleep.

October - Autumn planting

• Plant garlic, onions and broad beans: October is the month of autumn planting. Garlic, onions and broad beans are your autumnal soldiers, ready to hibernate and emerge stronger next year.
• Clean up fallen leaves: As autumn leaves fall, clean them up and add them to the compost pile.

November - winter preparations

• Cover the soil with well-rotted manure or compost: It's the garden's winter skincare routine. Cover the soil with well-rotted manure or compost, and your garden will wake up glowing in spring.
• Plant winter-hardy crops: Spinach is a good choice as it can brave the colder months.

December - reflect and plan

• Reflect on the year's successes and learnings: December is the month of self-analysis. Reflect on your garden's triumphs and lessons.
• Plan for the upcoming year: While your raised beds take a well-deserved break, plan for the next year. Consider crop rotations and new varieties.

Congratulations! You've completed a year-long journey with your raised beds, experiencing the joys of each season. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gardener, the rewards of cultivating your own food and creating a vibrant garden are truly satisfying. As you continue your gardening adventure, remember that each month brings new opportunities and challenges. Happy gardening! May your fingers and thumbs always be green, and your blooms forever vibrant.