Seek advice - Whats the best raised bed layout for my Backyard

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Hello,

Im new here and have already broken ground redoing my backyard, before I
proceed any further i need to know - or figure out the best way to utilize the
space for a veggie garden. Im out in Fullerton, CA, so need to plan the
orientation of the beds given my locale, Ive attached pictures showing some of
my ideas (for the beds) with my existing hardscape.

So along with orientation I thinking it might help to know the types of stuff
we are interested in growing: We eat a lot of bell peppers,
tomatoes, zucchini / squash, lettuce, carrots, onions, potatoes, grapes,
spinach, chickpeas, avocado, snap/snow pea, garlic, cardamom, ginger, chili,
cilantro/coriander, cumin, clove, black pepper, fenugreek, cucumber, mint ,
dill, eggplant, french beans, guava, lychee, tangerine, pinapple, asian pear,
papaya, pomegranate... granted the lychee might be a bit difficult in southern
California ..

I already have several pomegranate and date palm trees, as well as some
blackberries, but think they might be in best location.... my goal is to grow
as much of the above as possible given area constraints, as well as some
berries - blackberries, raspberries and perhaps blueberries.

I realize my back yard is not ideal for serious food production, however I
would really appreciate any suggestions as to how to make the most of what I
have. Here are some photos of my back yard to show its size and overall layout:
Brown and Green are plantable areas with the Green section in a planter, while
the brown portions open to placement of beds....
I was considering either 7 (or 8) vertical beds (like on the right) that are 6'x3'
-going across the yard from right to left.... Or perhaps instead of the
single verticals going across perhaps having 2 horizontal bed rows going across
the back (perhaps 3 or 4 of them) [8 beds total] from right to left.... or some
mix of the two styles....

The brown numbers above and below the beds show spacing in feet... i didn’t
know if i wanted 2' around the outside of the dual beds and one foot in the
middle (on right) or....... 1' around the outside and 2' path between the beds
(as shown on left/center)

I also have a green belt across the back wall where i intend to plant the palms
and pomegranate, as well as a tangerine... there is a very small flowering tree
on the far right corner.... the right wall is the direction the sun comes
from but due to the short wall the first bed on that side will likely be in
shade much of the year.. there is also another green planter alongside the
house that sees a lot of sun where I currently have blackberries planted..

here is the sun orientation over the course of the year ....

I have read in some places that it's best to plant in rows running east/west
with tallest crops on the north side so nothing is ever shaded through the day
but then again I have also read that North/South beds with tall crops to the
west is better so that everything gets the same amount of morning sun (which is
supposedly much more important than afternoon sun). So im totally confused and
need help… which is optimal orientation for my setting?

Any help / suggestions / food-for-thought in planning the location and orientation of the raised beds would be greatly appreciated.

:-)

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