Home PlantingPlanting in BedsPreparing Beds, Hills and Rows
On this page find descriptions and demonstrations of the three most common ways to plant vegetables in home gardens, including:
- Descriptions of how to plant vegetables in beds, areas, hills, and rows.
- Soil preparation for planting vegetables as seed or as transplants.
- A step-by-step demonstration on amending and fertilizing garden soil for planting vegetables.
- A step-by-step demonstration on how to plant a garden bed or prepared area using scattered vegetable seeds.
- A step-by-step demonstration on how to prepare and plant a hill and irrigation moat for planting vegetable seeds.
- A step-by-step demonstration on how to prepare and plant rows and furrows for planting vegetable seeds.
- When to use each of the three most common methods to plant vegetables.
Planting in Rows, Hills, and Beds
It’s easy to plant your vegetable garden’s beds, hills, and rows by following easy step-by-step pictures and directions.
Most home gardeners plant vegetables using one of the three most-common planting methods we demonstrate: bed or area plantings, hills, and rows.
Before planting in your vegetable garden, remove all weeds and debris and loosen your soil. Add and incorporate any needed fertilizers and soil amendments, and rake the planting area flat. [see Incorporating Fertilizers and Amendments].
Step-By-Step Instructions
To plant your vegetable garden by scattering seed, in hills, or in rows, gathera spade, a hoe, and a rake to prepare the bed’s soil, then follow the easy steps for the planting method you choose:
Preparing Beds for Scattered Seed
- Prepare Soil
Prepare Soil
Plant carrots, leafy greens, and radishes in flat areas. Loosen the soil with a spade, breaking any clods and removing all debris.
Work the bed’s soil thoroughly with a hoe, then smooth and level the bed using the back of a garden rake, working at right angles to the original direction.
Preparing Planting Hills
- Prepare Soil
- Raise Hills
Prepare Soil
Plant vine plants in hills. Loosen the soil using a spade, breaking up any clods and removing rocks and debris.
Raise Hills
Use a hoe to raise a hill 1 ft. (30 cm) higher than the level of the surrounding soil and 12–14 in. (30–36 cm) wide, surrounded by a moat to serve as a watering basin for the plants.
Preparing Planting Rows
- Prepare Soil
- Rows and Furrows
Prepare Soil
Plant vegetables such as bush peas or beans in rows. Loosen the soil using a shovel or spade, breaking any clods and removing rocks and debris.
Rows and Furrows
Use a hoe to raise a row 3–4 in. (75–100 mm) higher than the surrounding soil and 4–6 in. (10–15 cm) wide, then dig parallel watering furrows on both sides of the row.
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