The CedarCraft Elevated Cedar Planter offers a durable and stylish way to grow a wide variety of plants in a convenient, accessible raised bed format. Whether you’re new to gardening or an experienced grower, the design of the CedarCraft planter can support diverse plant types, help optimize plant growth, and enhance the aesthetics of your garden space. In this guide, we’ll explore creative planting ideas that maximize the potential of this high-quality raised bed.

1. Vertical Gardening: Utilize Height for More Plant Variety

The elevated design of the CedarCraft planter provides an opportunity to grow plants that traditionally require a lot of ground space. By focusing on vertical gardening, you can significantly expand your plant selection and create visually appealing arrangements. Consider these ideas for vertical growth:

• Climbing Vegetables and Vines: Plant climbing vegetables such as peas, cucumbers, and beans along the edges of your CedarCraft planter. Install a simple trellis system made of wire or bamboo to allow plants to grow vertically, saving space while ensuring healthy yields.
• Trellis for Flowers: Add beauty to your planter by growing climbing flowers such as morning glories, sweet peas, or jasmine. A decorative trellis can not only support the vines but also become an eye-catching focal point for your garden.
• Stacked Planters for Small Crops: Integrate small vertical pots or planters to increase your growing area. These can be placed around the perimeter of your raised bed and used for growing herbs or small flowers, keeping your space organized and abundant.

2. Layered Planting for Enhanced Growth

Layered planting is an efficient technique where plants are arranged according to their height and growth habits. The CedarCraft planter is well-suited for this technique, allowing you to optimize space and create a lush, full garden.

• Tall Plants at the Back, Low Plants at the Front: In your CedarCraft planter, position taller plants like tomatoes, peppers, or sunflowers towards the back. Place shorter crops, such as lettuce, spinach, or marigolds, at the front where they can receive adequate sunlight without being overshadowed.
• Companion Planting: Utilize companion planting principles to grow plants that enhance each other’s growth. For example, plant basil alongside tomatoes to improve flavor and reduce pest problems. Use marigolds or nasturtiums to deter aphids and other pests from your veggies.
• Succession Planting: Maximize productivity by rotating crops in your CedarCraft planter. Start with fast-growing vegetables like radishes or lettuce, then replace them with slower-growing options like carrots or squash. This technique ensures your bed remains productive throughout the growing season.

3. Water-Wise Gardening with Self-Watering Inserts

Water efficiency is a key consideration when planting in raised beds. CedarCraft planters are compatible with self-watering inserts, which can make your garden more sustainable while reducing the time and effort spent on watering.

• Deep Root Systems: For plants with deeper root systems, such as tomatoes or peppers, use the self-watering system to ensure consistent moisture. This will encourage healthy root development and help plants withstand heat waves or long dry periods.
• Herb Gardens: Herbs such as basil, thyme, and oregano thrive in drier conditions compared to other crops. Use a water-efficient setup by adding a self-watering insert or reducing the amount of water delivered to the bed, creating the perfect environment for these herbs to flourish.
• Watering Strategies for Multiple Plant Types: Depending on your plant selections, you may adjust the watering technique. Use the self-watering system for vegetables like lettuce and zucchini, but for drought-tolerant plants like lavender, water manually, ensuring a balance between different plant needs.

4. Mixed Flower and Vegetable Garden for Aesthetic and Practical Growth

By blending flowers with vegetables, you can create a colorful, productive garden. The CedarCraft planter’s size and height make it ideal for such combinations, offering both beauty and utility.

• Edible Flower Gardens: Grow flowers like pansies, nasturtiums, and marigolds that not only brighten up the planter but also serve culinary purposes. These flowers are edible and can be used in salads or as garnishes. Their bright colors will attract pollinators, benefiting surrounding crops.
• Flower Borders Around Vegetables: Use flowers to line the edges of your CedarCraft planter and protect vegetables from pests. Flowers such as lavender, calendula, and alyssum attract beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs, which help pollinate plants and control harmful pests.
• Mixed Herb and Vegetable Gardens: Combine herbs like parsley, cilantro, and basil with leafy greens such as spinach or kale. This mix creates a sustainable and visually appealing garden, while the herbs enhance the flavor of your vegetables.

5. Shade-Tolerant Plants for Partially Shaded Spaces

If your garden area has partial shade, the CedarCraft elevated planter can be used to grow shade-tolerant plants that require less sunlight. Consider these options for low-light conditions:

• Leafy Greens: Lettuce, kale, spinach, and Swiss chard are ideal for growing in shaded environments. Their growth rate is not hindered by lower light levels, and they thrive in cooler, less sunny conditions.
• Herbs: Many herbs such as mint, parsley, and cilantro tolerate shade better than other plants. Plant them in the back or along the sides of the CedarCraft planter, where they can receive dappled sunlight and still thrive.
• Hostas and Ferns: If you’re aiming to add ornamental plants, hostas and ferns are great choices. These plants add texture and color while growing well in lower light environments.

6. Seasonal Adjustments for Year-Round Gardening

To maximize the use of your CedarCraft elevated planter throughout the year, consider adjusting your planting scheme to accommodate different growing seasons. With proper care, you can grow a variety of crops in both spring/summer and fall/winter.

• Cool-Season Vegetables: During the cooler months, plant root vegetables like carrots, beets, and turnips. These plants thrive in lower temperatures and will not require as much water or sunlight.
• Winterizing Your Planter: To protect your plants from frost and cold temperatures, consider adding a hoop-house roof or shade cloth to your CedarCraft planter. This will help keep the temperature within a range that supports continued growth in colder months.
• Succession of Warm-Season Crops: Start with early spring crops such as peas and lettuce, and gradually transition to summer vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers as the season warms.

Conclusion

The CedarCraft Elevated Cedar Planter is a versatile and durable gardening solution that supports a variety of creative planting ideas. From vertical gardening and companion planting to utilizing self-watering inserts and seasonal adjustments, this raised bed allows you to grow a wide range of plants while keeping your garden neat and organized. Whether you’re focused on maximizing space, improving water efficiency, or simply adding beauty to your backyard, these planting strategies will help you make the most of your CedarCraft planter.