Raised Bed Garden Layout: Design Tips & Planting Plans

Planning a raised bed garden layout is essential for maximizing space, supporting plant health, and achieving a bountiful harvest. Whether you’re cultivating vegetables, flowers, or a mix of both, a well-thought-out layout can make all the difference.

A raised bed garden layout is the strategic design of the bed and the plants within it. There are plenty of raised garden bed ideas to inspire you, and the best choice will depend on what you want to plant and the space you have available.

To begin, you’ll need to choose the types of vegetables or flowers you want to grow, select a location that gets enough sunlight, and determine the material, size, and shape.

Some popular layouts include the Four-Garden Classic, U-shaped beds, and the border garden. Each one offers unique advantages in terms of accessibility and visual appeal.

How to Choose the Right Size, Shape & Placement for Your Bed

The shape and size of your bed will depend on what you want to plant and the space you have available.

First, choose a location that gets plenty of sunlight (ideally, 6 to 8 hours per day). This helps ensure that most vegetables and flowers grow healthy and on time. However, we know it’s not always possible to get that much sun. So, if your chosen spot gets four hours or less, don’t worry! You can still build a raised bed garden, just focus on shade-tolerant plants like lettuce, spinach, or cilantro.

Once you’ve selected the location, measure the space and decide which bed shape and size best suit your needs.

Here are the general size recommendations for raised beds:

Height: 6 inches to 2 feet.
Minimum width: 18 inches.
Maximum width: Around 4 feet (For border garden beds, try not to exceed 2 feet in width. Otherwise, reaching your plants without stepping into the bed will be hard.)
Length: This depends on your available space, but we recommend 8 feet, which is the standard in most of our garden plans for raised beds.

Diagram of a wooden raised bed showing a typical raised garden bed layout used in vegetable garden plans to maximize space and ensure easy access
Standard raised bed with recommended dimensions

One of the best things about raised beds is that they help protect your knees and back when reaching your plants. They’re also a great option for anyone with limited mobility. So, while the typical height is between 6 inches and 2 feet, you can go higher if that makes gardening easier.

Now that you know how to choose the right location and bed size, let’s continue with some of the most common and popular raised bed layouts.

Four-Garden Classic

This layout features four raised beds arranged in a square or rectangular shape, usually with paths that intersect at the center. It creates a symmetrical, organized garden space that makes crop rotation easier and allows easy access to all beds.

Pinterest.Photo of a front yard raised bed vegetable garden layout with multiple wooden beds planted with lettuce, kale, herbs, and flowers. — Arrange four raised beds in a square with intersecting paths – great for easy access and crop rotation

U-shaped beds

This bed is designed to maximize growing space while keeping everything within easy reach. It allows you to access the center of the bed without stepping on the soil.

U-shaped raised bed vegetable garden layout with wooden frames and lush green crops Craftcamp’s U-shaped raised garden bed layout designed for maximum growing space and accessibility

Border garden

Instead of placing garden beds in the middle of your yard, border gardens make use of the space along fences, walls, or edges, making them ideal for small or narrow areas.

Photo of a raised garden bed layout with a wooden structure filled with plants Craftcamp border garden plan designed for narrow spaces

Pro tip: In a border garden, it’s helpful to arrange plants by height: place taller plants at the back, and shorter plants in front. This setup ensures all your plants get enough sunlight and stay easy to reach.

Raised Bed Layout Templates: Popular Configurations for Veggies & Flowers

These popular configurations are based on practical raised bed vegetable garden plans designed to maximize your space, promote plant health through companion planting, and make your garden easier to manage.

Small Raised Bed Garden Layout

Perfect for tight spaces like balconies, patios, or narrow side yards. A small bed (around 2×4 or 2×6 feet) works great for growing a few herbs, leafy greens, or compact vegetables like radishes.

Small raised bed planting layout featuring tomatoes, red radishes, bell peppers, cabbage, oregano, marjoram, basil, and rosemary — Use a 4×2 raised bed to mix herbs and vegetables: pair basil with tomatoes, oregano with peppers for better growth and natural pest control

2×8 Raised Bed Vegetable Garden Layout

This layout is ideal for long, narrow spaces. It offers enough room for companion planting without overcrowding. You can plant a mix of root vegetables and leafy greens in rows or blocks.

Illustrated 2x8 raised bed planting layout showing a companion planting strategy with tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots, basil, oregano, rosemary, and marjoram — Try a 2×8 raised bed layout to grow tomatoes, carrots, and peppers with companion herbs like oregano, basil, and rosemary for healthier, more productive crops

3×6 Raised Bed Vegetable Garden Layout

A great mid-size option for first-time gardeners. It offers enough space for multiple plant families and makes crop rotation simple. Perfect for growing salad greens, peppers, and marigolds.

Raised bed garden layout measuring 3x6 feet, with tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, marigolds, and bush beans planted together — Use a 3×6 raised bed layout to combine tomatoes, greens, beans, and pest-fighting marigolds for a productive and balanced garden

4×8 Raised Garden Bed Planting Layout

With 32 square feet of space, you can grow a wide variety of crops and easily reach all parts of the bed. It’s perfect for square-foot gardening or block planting.

Illustrated 4x8 raised garden bed vegetable layout featuring a structured planting plan with tomatoes, onions, leafy greens, herbs, and root vegetables — Alternate deep and shallow rooted crops like carrots and lettuce to reduce underground competition and improve long-term soil health in your 4×8 raised bed

Square-Foot Gardening Chart

Square-foot gardening is all about organizing your raised bed into 1-foot sections. Instead of leaving large spaces between rows, you plant based on how much room each crop actually needs. It’s a simple and efficient way to grow more in less space, with minimal effort.

Illustrated square-foot raised bed vegetable garden layout showing a variety of crops, including basil, tomato, carrot, onion, lettuce, pepper, cabbage, eggplant, spinach, rosemary, and okra — Use a square-foot gardening chart to plan a diverse mix of veggies and herbs in compact spaces while keeping plant spacing and compatibility in check

The best configuration for your raised garden bed depends on your space and what you plan to grow. A 4×8 layout is one of the most popular options since it’s spacious enough for a variety of vegetables but still easy to manage.

Visual guide showing raised bed planting layouts in multiple sizes, including 2'x4', 2'x8', 3'x6', and 4'x8' beds — Choose your raised bed size based on space and crop variety. A 2×4 bed works well for herbs and greens, while a 4×8 layout maximizes yield with diverse planting

Best Plant Combinations for Raised Beds (With Companion Planting Tips)

Choosing the right companion plants in your raised bed vegetable garden layout can boost plant health, improve yields, and even keep pests away.

For example, tomatoes and basil are classic companions (basil enhances tomato flavor and helps repel insects). Carrots and onions work great together, too, since they don’t compete for nutrients and protect each other from pests. You can also try combining lettuce and radishes or growing snow peas and cucumbers vertically on trellises.

Another great pairing is spinach and strawberries, spinach helps shade the soil, conserving moisture around strawberry roots. Chives planted near carrots or lettuce can deter aphids and add pollinator-friendly flowers to your bed.

Illustration of a raised bed planting layout showing good companion planting combos for vegetables and herbs, such as tomatoes with basil, cabbage with green beans, and marigolds with peas — Planting good companions helps your crops grow better and keeps pests away. Use these combos to make your garden healthier with less effort

To make the most of your layout, follow these simple companion planting strategies:

Mix root depths: Pair deep-rooted vegetables (like carrots) with shallow-rooted ones (like leafy greens) to reduce competition.
Add natural pest control: Include herbs and flowers like marigolds to attract pollinators and deter unwanted bugs.

However, not all vegetables play well together. Some combinations can limit growth or attract the same pests. Avoid planting tomatoes next to cabbage, potatoes, or eggplant, as they can compete for nutrients and are prone to similar diseases. Corn should also be planted separately, since it can attract pests that also affect tomatoes.

Visual guide showing that tomatoes should not be planted next to potatoes or corn in a raised bed layout — Tomatoes need their space. Planting them too close to potatoes or corn can lead to pest problems and weaker harvests in raised beds

Finally, don’t forget the role of flowers and herbs. Beyond adding color to your garden bed vegetable layout, they help support pollination and protect your crops. Marigolds deter common pests while brightening up your bed. Lavender brings in bees and butterflies, and herbs like chives make great neighbors for many vegetables.

A flower and herb companion planting guide, including pairings such as lavender and rosemary, calendula and basil, and marigolds and chives, is shown as part of a pollinator-friendly raised bed vegetable garden layout plan — Pair pollinator-friendly herbs and flowers like lavender, basil, and calendula in raised beds to attract bees, boost bloom time, and support nearby veggies

Another way to naturally attract pollinators and control pests is by adding a small insect hotel near your raised beds using hollow sticks, pinecones, and bark. This provides shelter for beneficial insects that help protect your crops.

Insect hotel made from bamboo and pinecones, designed to attract pollinators and beneficial insects in a raised bed garden — Add a small insect hotel near your raised beds to attract bugs that help to protect your crops

Common Raised Bed Layout Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Even with a good plan in mind, it’s easy to make a few layout mistakes that can impact the health and productivity of your raised bed garden. One of the most common is overcrowding. Trying to squeeze in too many plants might seem efficient, but it usually leads to competition for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Also, poor airflow increases the risk of disease and pests.

To avoid this, be mindful of spacing guidelines. A well-organized layout, especially when using square-foot gardening, will give each plant the space it needs.

Another frequent issue is ignoring sunlight and water needs. Placing sun-loving crops like tomatoes or peppers in a shady spot can affect growth and yield. Likewise, planting water-hungry vegetables far from your hose or irrigation source can make maintenance harder.

Group plants by similar needs, like pairing leafy greens or clustering herbs near each other.

Raised bed vegetable garden layout showing grouped herbs, leafy greens, and compact vegetables in an organized raised garden bed with wooden sides and a nearby blue bucket Craftcamp’s 4×8 raised garden bed with grouped plants

Accessibility is another factor often overlooked. Beds that are too wide or close together can make weeding, watering, or harvesting difficult. Always consider how you’ll move around your garden.

The type of wood you use for your raised bed also matters. Treated lumber might seem like a sturdy choice, but it can leach chemicals into the soil (something you want to avoid if you’re growing vegetables or herbs). If you’re building your beds, take a moment to choose materials carefully. Our guide about the best wood for raised garden beds can help you pick a safe and durable option.

Similarly, it’s important to strike the right balance with compost. While compost is essential for enriching the soil, too much can lead to nutrient imbalances, stunting root development in crops like carrots or radishes. Mix compost with regular topsoil to create a more balanced growing medium and achieve better results.

Planting tips

If you’re dealing with underground pests, consider lining the bottom of your raised bed with chicken wire before adding soil. Just be sure to wear sturdy gloves; the edges can be sharp!

For deep beds, layering branches, twigs, leaves, and compost can reduce the amount of purchased soil needed, improve drainage, and boost long-term soil health. Combined with chicken wire at the bottom, this method is cost-effective and great for long-term plant health.

Free Layout Plans, Tools & Garden Planners (With Downloadable Resources)

To help you get started, we’ve linked a set of free raised garden bed layout plans, ideal for visualizing your garden. These templates are great for testing ideas, adjusting plant placements, and designing a space that works for you.

There are also many digital tools and apps that simplify garden planning. Platforms like Gardena or Planter let you drag and drop plants into custom-sized beds, organize your crops by season, and even get reminders for watering.

Quick Recap: Why Planning Your Raised Bed Layout Matters

Planning your layout takes a little extra effort, but it pays off big time. Here’s why:

You maximize your growing space, even in compact areas.
Plants grow stronger thanks to better spacing and airflow.
Daily care is easier.

If you found this guide helpful, bookmark it for future reference and consider sharing it with a friend who’s getting started with raised bed gardening!

Raised Bed Garden Layout: How to Plan the Bed for Flowers & Vegetables