How to Plant Tomatoes in Raised Beds

Overview

Many gardeners find benefits to growing tomatoes in a raised bed. As with growing other vegetables, raised beds offer several advantages over traditional garden beds. Raised beds warm up earlier in spring, which allows you to plant your tomato plants earlier. Raised beds also drain more quickly, so tomato plants do not become waterlogged. While tomatoes will spread if given room, you can contain tomato plants in raised beds to maximize space and they still produce a bountiful harvest.

Step 1

Till to the existing soil with a rake or rototiller to a depth of 8 inches, shovel a 1-inch layer of compost on top of the soil and till the area again to mix in the compost.

Step 2

Dig a hole for each tomato plant, about the size of a soccer ball. Space holes 24 inches apart on all sides when using a block-style layout, advises the Colorado State University Extension. The Square Foot Gardening Foundation recommends spacing tomatoes as little as 12 inches apart on all sides.

Step 3

Set tomato plants in the middle of the hole and pack soil firmly around the roots and base of the plant.

Step 4

Place a tomato cage over each plant to keep it contained as it grows and to maximize growing space in a raised bed.