Succession planting for continuous harvest

Succession planting is the practice of sowing the same crop at staggered intervals (every 2-3 weeks) to ensure a continuous harvest rather than a single overwhelming glut. This is one of the most impactful techniques for maximizing raised bed productivity but is often overlooked by beginners. Apply succession planting to short-season crops: lettuce (every 2 weeks), radishes (every 10-14 days), spinach (every 3 weeks), bush beans (every 3 weeks), cilantro (every 3 weeks), and beets (every 3 weeks). Keep a simple calendar or use phone reminders. The second dimension of succession planting is relay planting: replacing a finished crop with a new one. When spring peas finish in June, pull them and plant bush beans or fall brassicas. When early lettuce bolts in summer heat, replace with heat-tolerant crops like basil or peppers. When tomatoes finish in fall, replant with garlic or cold-hardy greens. A well-planned 4x8 bed can produce 3 or even 4 separate crops per season using relay planting. Track what you plant and when using a garden journal or app so you can improve timing each year.