How to Design a Productive Raised Bed Garden for Small Yards
- Jul 8
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Even in the smallest city yard, a productive raised bed garden is absolutely possible - with the right layout. In fact, when space is tight, design becomes everything. Knowing how to plan your raised beds for productivity, ease of access, and long-term soil health can make the difference between a garden that thrives and one that fizzles out by midsummer.
Whether you’re in Seattle, Portland, or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, this guide will walk you through how to design a raised bed garden that works with your space - and your lifestyle.
1. Start With the Sun ☀️
In the PNW, we have a generous growing season, but light levels vary. Before placing any beds, observe your yard for a few days - especially in spring and early summer.
✅ Look for 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. Leafy greens can tolerate partial sun, but tomatoes, squash, and peppers need full sun.
🧭 Pro tip: Orient beds north to south whenever possible. This reduces shading and ensures even sun exposure throughout the day.
2. Choose Bed Dimensions That Fit Your Space (and Body) 📏
In urban yards, rectangular raised beds (3 to 4 feet wide and 6 to 8 feet long) are usually ideal.
📏 Why this works:
3 to 4 feet is the perfect width to reach from either side without stepping on the soil.
6 to 8 feet is long enough to grow a lot - but still manageable.
🧱 Height matters too: In wetter PNW winters, 10 to 12 inch beds improve drainage and warm up faster in spring.
3. Plan for Pathways 🧱
It’s tempting to pack in as many beds as possible, but don’t skip pathways! Good spacing means you’ll actually enjoy working in the garden.
🚶♀️ Leave at least 18 to 24 inches between beds for walking, weeding, and harvesting. If you're using a wheelbarrow, plan for 36 inches.
🌱 Bonus tip: Add stepping stones or wood chips to suppress weeds and improve drainage in high-rain zones.
4. Map Your Crops by Height and Timing 📆
A productive layout means thinking ahead - not just about what you’re growing, but when and how tall those crops get.
📋 Use these principles:
Tall plants (tomatoes, trellised cucumbers, pole beans) go on the north side so they don’t shade others.
Succession plant short-season crops like radishes, lettuce, and spinach. Harvest and replant!
Group by water needs. Keep thirsty crops like cucumbers, lettuce, and squash together.
5. Add a Touch of Perennial Structure 🌿
Even in a seasonal raised bed garden, a few perennial herbs (like thyme, oregano, or chives) anchor the space and reduce replanting. Add these to the corners of beds or tuck them near your garden’s edges.
🦋 Bonus: They attract pollinators and beneficial insects!
Example: Small Urban Layout for the PNW
Let’s say you have a 10 x 15 foot yard in Seattle. Here's one smart layout:
Two 3 x 8 beds, running north–south with 24" between
1-foot wood chip path around all sides
One vertical trellis on the north end for climbing peas in spring, replaced by beans in summer
Herbs (thyme, parsley, chives) in a corner planter or pot
Salad greens rotated every 3 weeks in half a bed
Tomatoes staked on the southern end of the second bed
Simple, compact, and surprisingly productive!
Grow With Me & Get Monthly Garden Tips:
Want a Raised Bed Layout That’s Just Right for Your Space?
Designing a garden that works with your lifestyle, climate, and goals takes experience and a keen eye for detail. I specialize in custom garden layouts for small and urban spaces.
🌿 Want me to design a custom layout for your space? Click here to book a session.
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