Knowledgebase
Which direction should my beds face? #852795
Asked October 10, 2023, 4:13 PM EDT
Deschutes County Oregon
Expert Response
Hello Lynn,
Thank you for your question about what direction to set up your raised beds.
Locate beds so that plants receive maximum sunlight and do not shade each other. Determine the north/south axis of the site and lay out the beds either in a north/south or east/west direction, not on a diagonal. When incorporating a trellis for vine crops such as cucumbers, beans, or grapes, run it east/west, and locate it at the northern end of the bed. The shortest crops can occupy the southern end. Source: How to Construct a Raised Bed in the Garden (psu.edu)
The following two publications from the OSU Extension Service provide information on raised bed gardening, including some of the more important factors to consider when selecting a site. Here in Central Oregon, it is most important to choose a site that provides as much full sunlight as possible, ideally eight hours or longer during the growing season.
Growing Vegetables in Central Oregon (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties) | OSU Extension Catalog | Oregon State University
(see page3 for site selection and page7 specific to raised beds)
Raised Bed Gardening | OSU Extension Catalog | Oregon State University
The Deschutes County OSU Extension website provides many helpful publications about gardening in Central Oregon. Following is a link to this website, which will direct you to a variety of gardening topics, including vegetable gardening, specific for our geographic area and climate. Central Oregon Garden Publications | OSU Extension Service (oregonstate.edu)
If you need additional information, I recommend you call the Deschutes County OSU Extension office in Redmond at<personal data hidden>. Ask to speak with Amy Jo Detweiler (oregonstate.edu), a member of the Horticulture Staff. Amy Jo welcomes your home garden questions and is a great resource.