7 Reasons Your Raised Bed Vegetables Are Struggling

Poor Soil Quality

The plants in raised bed gardens are entirely dependent on the quality of the soil you provide. If that soil isn’t up to par, your plants will show it through poor growth and weak yields. Use top-quality garden soil when creating your beds, and add fertilizers when needed.

“At the end of the day, vegetables are annual plants that do all their growing in one season, and sometimes they do need supplemental support,” Campbell says.

Soil Not Deep Enough

If your raised bed vegetables are struggling, inadequate soil depth could be the culprit, especially for deep-rooted plants. While a soil depth of eight to 12 inches is standard for most vegetables, root vegetables like carrots will need 12 to 18 inches to grow. Soil that is too shallow will inhibit root growth and lead to poor yields. To fix this, add additional soil to increase the overall depth.

Poor Drainage

Drainage is crucial to the health and success of any raised bed garden. Without it, water can build up in the soil and lead to suffocated or rotted roots and deprive plants of much-needed oxygen. Most commercially available raised bed kits are designed with adequate drainage in mind, but DIY beds with a solid bottom will need dime-sized drainage holes every six to eight inches along the base to allow excess water to escape. Additionally, consider using a well-draining soil mix or adding compost to further prevent water from pooling at the roots.

Insufficient Sunlight

If your vegetables receive less than six hours of direct sunlight a day, they may struggle to grow or produce fruit. To get the best results, carefully plan the placement of your raised beds in the sunniest part of your yard. If you’re laying out your garden during the winter months, don’t forget to factor in how nearby trees will cast shade once the leaves fill in. If your beds are not receiving enough sunlight, prune overhanging branches or consider relocating your raised beds to a sunnier spot.

Crowded Plantings

Plants in a raised bed competes for nutrients, water and sunlight, which can become limited if the bed is overcrowded. Too many plants in a single bed can lead to stunted growth as there’s not enough to go around and some, if not all, plantings will struggle. Proper spacing also encourages adequate airflow, which is crucial for preventing rotten leaves and fungal growth. Overcrowded plants also make it difficult to spot pests or problems.

Lack of Crop Rotation

Planting the same plants in the same raised bed year after year can deplete soil nutrients and lead to repeat pest problems. Campbell suggests rotating your crops every couple of years to give the soil a chance to recover, and annually if you have a pest issue. “If you have a specific pest impacting your tomatoes, don’t plant anything in that bed that is attractive to that pest the next year,” Campbell says. Instead, plant an unrelated crop like leafy greens to deter pests from coming back.

Watering Challenges

“Raised beds dry out faster compared to in-ground gardens,” Campbell says, “and will need more regular watering.” If your vegetables are struggling in a raised bed, you may not be watering enough. This is especially true during hot or windy weather, when moisture evaporates quickly from the exposed soil. If the top one to two inches of soil is dry, it’s time to water. To maintain consistent moisture, consider installing a drip irrigation system or adding mulch to help retain soil moisture.

FAQ

Which vegetables shouldn’t be planted in raised garden beds?

Plants that spread quickly or take up a lot of space are not ideal in a raised bed. Examples include fast-spreading herbs like mint, oregano and thyme and space-takers like corn, melons and squash. “Sprawling plants like zucchini, squash and melons can quickly overtake a garden,” Campbell says. “I wouldn’t recommend these in a raised bed.”

About the Experts

• Spencer Campbell is the plant clinic manager at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, 25 miles west of Chicago.

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