2×4 Raised Bed Planting Guide

Everything you can grow in 8 square feet — with plant counts, spacing, and companion planting combinations.

Square Feet

100

Plants That Fit

Great Pairings

🪴

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Everything you need to get started.

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🥦 Vegetables for a 2×4 Bed

Radish

36 per sq ft

2" apart

Carrot

16 per sq ft

3" apart

Pea

16 per sq ft

3" apart

Pole Pea

16 per sq ft

3" apart

Snap Pea

16 per sq ft

3" apart

Snow Pea

16 per sq ft

3" apart

Beet

9 per sq ft

4" apart

Common Bean

9 per sq ft

4" apart

Green Bean

9 per sq ft

4" apart

Onion

9 per sq ft

4" apart

Mâche

9 per sq ft

4" apart

Watermelon Radish

9 per sq ft

4" apart

Arugula

4 per sq ft

6" apart

Bok Choy

4 per sq ft

6" apart

Garlic

4 per sq ft

6" apart

Kohlrabi

4 per sq ft

6" apart

Lima Bean

4 per sq ft

6" apart

Spinach

4 per sq ft

6" apart

Edamame

4 per sq ft

6" apart

Fava Bean

4 per sq ft

6" apart

Mizuna

4 per sq ft

6" apart

Broccoli Raab

4 per sq ft

6" apart

Rutabaga

18 plants

8" apart

Swiss Chard

18 plants

8" apart

Radicchio

11 plants

10" apart

Endive

8 plants

12" apart

Potato

8 plants

12" apart

Sweet Corn

8 plants

12" apart

Sweet Potato

8 plants

12" apart

Sorrel

8 plants

12" apart

Popcorn

8 plants

12" apart

Bell Pepper

3 plants

1.5 ft apart

Broccoli

3 plants

1.5 ft apart

Cabbage

3 plants

1.5 ft apart

Cauliflower

3 plants

1.5 ft apart

Cayenne Pepper

3 plants

1.5 ft apart

Collard Green

3 plants

1.5 ft apart

Habanero Pepper

3 plants

1.5 ft apart

Jalapeño Pepper

3 plants

1.5 ft apart

Kale

3 plants

1.5 ft apart

Poblano Pepper

3 plants

1.5 ft apart

Serrano Pepper

3 plants

1.5 ft apart

Shishito Pepper

3 plants

1.5 ft apart

Banana Pepper

3 plants

1.5 ft apart

Napa Cabbage

3 plants

1.5 ft apart

Cherry Tomato

2 plants

2 ft apart

Eggplant

2 plants

2 ft apart

Grape Tomato

2 plants

2 ft apart

Roma Tomato

2 plants

2 ft apart

Tomato

2 plants

2 ft apart

Tomatillo

2 plants

2 ft apart

🤝 Great Companion Combinations

These plant pairs grow better together — plant them side by side in your 2×4 bed.

Radish

36 per sq ft

Pea

16 per sq ft

Carrot

16 per sq ft

Onion

9 per sq ft

Carrot

16 per sq ft

Tomato

2 plants

Carrot

16 per sq ft

Rosemary

2 plants

Beet

9 per sq ft

Onion

9 per sq ft

Beet

9 per sq ft

Kohlrabi

4 per sq ft

Find Your Local Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see when to plant each of these in your area.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many plants can I fit in a 2×4 raised bed? +

A 2×4 raised bed gives you 8 square feet of growing space. Using square-foot gardening, you can fit up to 288 small plants like lettuce or carrots, or grow 2 to 288 plants total depending on what you choose.

What vegetables grow best in a 2×4 raised bed? +

Great choices for a 8 sq ft raised bed include lettuce, carrots, beets, kale, herbs, and peppers. Avoid large spreading plants like squash or pumpkins in this size.

How deep should a 2×4 raised bed be? +

Most vegetables thrive with 12 inches of soil depth. For root vegetables like carrots and parsnips, aim for 18–24 inches. A depth of 6 inches works for lettuce, herbs, and shallow-rooted crops.

What soil should I use in a raised bed? +

Fill your raised bed with a mix of 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% perlite or coarse sand for drainage. Avoid using regular garden soil — it compacts in raised beds and restricts root growth.

Should I use companion planting in my raised bed? +

Yes — companion planting in a raised bed maximizes space and naturally deters pests. Classic combinations include tomatoes with basil and marigolds, beans with carrots, and lettuce with radishes.

Other Raised Bed Sizes

4×4 Bed (16 sq ft) 4×8 Bed (32 sq ft) 4×12 Bed (48 sq ft) 8×8 Bed (64 sq ft) 8×12 Bed (96 sq ft) All bed sizes →

About the 2×4 Raised Bed

A 2×4 raised bed offers 8 square feet of productive growing space — and because it's only 2 feet wide, you can reach the center from either side without stepping in. Using the square-foot gardening method, you can grow 100+ different plants, from quick crops like lettuce and radishes to full-season staples like peppers and tomatoes.

Fill it with a blend of topsoil, compost, and perlite for the best drainage and fertility. Most vegetables do best with at least 12 inches of soil depth — go deeper if you plan to grow carrots, parsnips, or other root vegetables.

Use the search above to find exact planting dates for your location, or browse individual plant guides to learn more about spacing, watering, and seed saving.

2×4 Raised Bed Planting Guide

🥦 Vegetables for a 2×4 Bed

🌿 Herbs for a 2×4 Bed

🌸 Flowers for a 2×4 Bed

🤝 Great Companion Combinations

Find Your Local Planting Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Raised Bed Sizes

About the 2×4 Raised Bed