“This is not a backyard. This is a small-scale edible utopia.”
You know that feeling when you walk into your garden mid-July, and everything’s vibing at full volume? The tomatoes are flexing, the basil smells like an Italian vacation, and your cucumbers are trying to take over the world. Yeah — this is the summer garden moment we live for.
Today, you’re getting the full tour. I’m walking you through exactly what’s growing in our raised beds this summer, what’s thriving, what flopped (it happens), and all the little things I’m doing to keep everything looking like a Pinterest fever dream with a little dirt under the nails.
Let’s step into the jungle.
First Stop: The Tomato Temple
Bed size: 4×8 ft
Plants: Cherokee Purple, Sungold, San Marzano, and a rogue volunteer cherry that’s out for dominance
Tomatoes get their own kingdom in my garden — and for good reason. I trellis them tall, feed them like royalty (compost tea + fish emulsion weekly), and ruthlessly prune the suckers.
And guess what? It works. The Sungolds are already coming in hot — like literal candy. If I make it back to the house with any, it’s a miracle.
Pro tip: Mulch the heck out of your tomato beds. Holds in moisture, keeps weeds down, and prevents splash-back disease drama.
Bed Two: The Salsa Situation
This is the bed where things get spicy (literally).
- Jalapeños
- Banana peppers
- Serranos
- Red onions
- Garlic
- Cilantro that bolted in 4 days but we’re not talking about that
The peppers are crushing it this year. I’m harvesting enough to start my own hot sauce line, or at least throw some serious fire into taco night.
I staggered plantings here back in late spring, and it’s paying off — we’ve got waves of produce coming in weekly, not all at once in an overwhelming flood. Highly recommend the succession approach if you’re not trying to preserve 800 jars of salsa in one weekend.
Bed Three: The Greens & Beans Factory
This raised bed is my quiet achiever. It’s tucked in partial shade and LOVES it.
- Green beans climbing up a cattle panel trellis
- Swiss chard that refuses to die
- Lacinato kale still pushing through the heat like a champ
- Butter lettuce that’s nearing the end of its run
- Nasturtiums for edible flowers and general chaos
Green beans are coming in heavy — I’m picking every other day and still can’t keep up. I may start leaving baskets on neighbours’ porches with passive-aggressive notes like “Thought you could use more fibre.”
Bed Four: Herbs + Pollinator Power
You already know we have to talk herbs. No garden is complete without a bed that smells like you crushed the Olive Garden gift shop.
- Basil (Genovese, Thai, Lemon)
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Dill
- Thyme
- Chives
- A mint plant I SWEAR I planted in a pot but now owns half the bed
The bees are losing their minds over the basil blooms. I let a few go to flower just for them — and honestly, the pollinator traffic has helped the entire garden.
Pro tip: Don’t over-harvest your basil all at once. Pinch above a node and it’ll bush out like a dream. One plant = pesto all summer.
Wild Card Corner: The Chaos Bed
This bed is experimental. Aka the “sure, let’s see what happens” zone.
- Watermelon (it’s crawling into other beds, pray for us)
- Okra (absolutely THRIVING in the heat)
- Sweet corn (short but fierce)
- Marigolds, calendula, borage, and random cosmos
- Volunteer potatoes I didn’t plant but now feel responsible for
Every garden needs a wild card. Something to surprise you. Something to make you google things at 11pm like “Can I grow corn in a 12 inch deep raised bed??”
What’s Not Working (Yes, Let’s Be Real)
It’s not all tomato-glory and watermelon joy.
- Cilantro? Bolted in a heartbeat.
- Zucchini? Squash vine borers showed up like the mafia.
- Carrots? Stunted and weird. Raised beds weren’t deep enough in that section.
- Spinach? Ha. Not in this heat.
But failure is part of the fun. You learn what works for you, in your space, and every summer you level up. I’m already planning fall crops for the failed zones. Radishes, arugula, and spinach — I’m coming back for you.
Lessons I’m Carrying Into Next Season
- Mulch is life. No more bare soil. It just dries out and gets mad.
- Cattle panel trellises are the GOAT for climbing crops.
- Don’t plant mint in a raised bed unless you’re ready to sacrifice a whole corner.
- Plant more flowers. Always. The bees, the colour, the good vibes — worth every square inch.
- Label everything. I think it’s amaranth. Might be sorghum. I’ll let you know in a few weeks.
Final Thoughts from the Garden Path
This year’s summer raised bed setup is a mix of thriving abundance, mild chaos, and a healthy dose of “I wonder what this seed does?” … which is exactly how I like it.
Every morning, I walk out barefoot with coffee in hand, tuck a few tendrils back, pick something for dinner, and feel a little bit like a 19th-century herbalist meets modern backyard farmer. It’s grounding. It’s fun. It’s food with a side of joy.
And isn’t that the whole point?
So, take the tour, borrow an idea, plant something random, and start your own raised bed adventure. I promise: it’ll give you more than you expect.
Want the full garden map or weekly harvest updates? I got you …. just ask.
