Raised-Bed Planting Plan — 1.8 × 0.9 m (Spacing & Layout)

Why 1.8 × 0.9 m Is the Ideal Starter Bed

The 1.8 × 0.9 m (6 × 3 ft) raised bed is the most commonly recommended size for home growing — and for good reason. At 90 cm wide, the bed can be reached comfortably from both sides without stepping in, which preserves the loose soil structure that makes raised beds so productive. At 1.8 m long, it provides enough area for a genuinely varied planting while remaining manageable for a single gardener.

This size can comfortably accommodate 3 large fruiting plants (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers), or a full season of mixed salad and root crops, or a combination of quick-maturing and slow-maturing crops planted in succession. It is also the right size to rotate through 4 crop groups over 4 years — the standard spacing for effective disease prevention.

Bed Layout — Visual Planting Map

This layout divides the 1.8 × 0.9 m bed into a productive mixed planting of tall crops at the north end, mid-height crops in the centre, and low-growing crops at the south end — so taller plants never shade shorter neighbours.

Three Planting Zones in Your 1.8 × 0.9 m Bed

Dividing the bed into three planting zones based on plant height keeps the layout practical, maximises light to all crops, and makes succession planting and crop rotation easier to manage from season to season.

Plant Spacing Quick Reference

How many plants fit in this exact bed size depends on spacing. Use this table to plan your layout and calculate total plant counts for a 1.8 × 0.9 m bed.

Seasonal Planting Plans

The same 1.8 × 0.9 m bed can be planted three times over a full year — once for spring, once for summer, and once for autumn. Planning all three before the season starts ensures the bed is never empty and succession sowings are ready before the previous crop finishes.

Companion Planting for This Bed

Strategic companion planting in a small raised bed delivers real results — deterring pests, attracting beneficial insects, and in some cases directly suppressing disease. These combinations are all proven in practice, not just in theory.

4-Year Crop Rotation Plan

If you have multiple raised beds, rotating crop families between beds each year prevents soil-borne disease build-up and balances nutrient demand. Even with a single bed, rotating between the main crop groups as much as possible provides meaningful protection.

1. Year 1 — BrassicasCabbage, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, swede, turnip, radish, pak choi. These crops benefit from the nitrogen left by previous legumes and condition the soil with their deep roots.
2. Year 2 — RootsCarrots, parsnips, beetroot, celeriac, celery, parsley. These crops prefer soil that has not been freshly manured — following brassicas is ideal. Do not add compost before sowing; roots fork and split in recently enriched soil.
3. Year 3 — LegumesPeas, broad beans, French beans, runner beans. Legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil — leaving the bed enriched for the next crop family. Do not remove bean roots after harvest; leave them to decompose and release their stored nitrogen.
4. Year 4 — Solanums & AlliumsTomatoes, peppers, aubergines; onions, garlic, leeks, shallots. These heavy feeders follow the legume year's nitrogen boost. Incorporate generous compost before planting. After Year 4, return to Year 1 brassicas.

Maintaining Your Raised Bed Soil

• Top-dress with compost annuallyEach spring, add a 5–8 cm layer of well-rotted compost or composted manure across the whole bed surface. Do not dig it in — leave on the surface and allow worms to incorporate it. This replenishes the organic matter depleted by the previous year's crop.
• Mulch between crops and in gapsBare soil grows weeds. After clearing a crop and before sowing the next, cover the surface with a 3–5 cm layer of compost or wood chip mulch. This suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and continues feeding soil organisms.
• Feed heavy feeders through the seasonTomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, and brassicas deplete nutrients quickly in a raised bed. Apply a balanced liquid feed every 2–3 weeks, switching to a high-potassium feed once fruiting crops begin to flower.
• Never walk on the bedThe cardinal rule of raised bed growing. Compaction destroys the open soil structure that makes raised beds so productive. If you need to reach the centre, use a plank bridged across the bed sides to distribute your weight without touching the soil.
• Test and adjust pH every 2 yearsMost vegetables prefer pH 6.0–7.0. Brassicas benefit from a slightly higher pH (6.5–7.5) as this reduces clubroot risk. Add garden lime to raise pH; use ericaceous compost or sulphur chips to lower it.