Home » Gardening Basics » Garden Techniques & Design » Container Gardening

Elevated Garden Bed Tips for Hot Climates

By: Angela Judd | May 6, 2025

Can an elevated garden bed really handle hot climates like an Arizona summer?

It’s definitely possible—with a few key adjustments. Elevated beds are more exposed than in-ground options, but with the right setup, you can grow productive, healthy crops even in the heat.

In this post, I’ll share the methods I use to keep my elevated beds growing through the hottest months. If you garden in a hot, dry climate, these tips will help.

An elevated garden bed with labeled herb and flower plants, including basil and oregano, surrounded by greenery and blurred flowers in the background—ideal for elevated garden bed hot climates.

For more on choosing, setting up, and planting in elevated beds, read my post on How to Grow in Elevated Garden Beds.

Looking for the bed I use? Click here to see it on Vego Garden and use one of my discount codes.

Here’s what we will cover:

How starting early helps crops survive
Watering strategies that work
Smart summer placement
What to plant in the heat
What to do during a heatwave
FAQ: Elevated Beds in Hot Climates
Final thoughts about elevated garden beds in high temperatures

Start Early

Timing is everything when gardening in hot climates, especially in elevated beds. I plant early in the season to give crops time to establish strong root systems before the intense heat sets in.

If you wait too long, young plants may not be well-established enough to survive the stress of summer. Once they’re struggling in the heat, it’s much harder for them to recover. Starting early gives your garden the best chance to thrive. Use my monthly planting guides or Low Desert Planting Guides to help you decide what and when to plant.

A hand holds a spiral-bound booklet titled Low Desert of Arizona Vegetable, Herb & Fruit Planting Guide, featuring baskets of fresh produce—perfect for anyone growing in an elevated garden bed or dealing with hot climates.

Watering Strategies That Work

Elevated beds dry out more quickly than in-ground beds, so consistent, deep watering is key. Here’s what works well in my garden:

Ollas (buried clay pots):

These deliver slow, steady moisture right at the root zone. They also act as a natural moisture gauge—if they’re still full, the surrounding soil is holding water. If they’re low, it’s time to water.
I use the ollas from Growoya. I have 3 medium ollas in my 6 foot bed.

Learn more: Using Ollas to Water Your Garden

A person waters soil in an elevated garden bed using a hose sprayer, preparing the area for planting—an ideal method for gardening in hot climates.

Wool pellets:

I mix these wool pellets into the top few inches of soil when filling the bed. They absorb and slowly release moisture over time, which helps maintain more even moisture levels in dry conditions.

Close-up of a hand holding pellet fertilizer on the left; on the right, a person sprinkles fertilizer onto soil in an elevated garden bed, ideal for gardening in hot climates.

Mulch:

Once seedlings are up, I apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch. Mulch helps regulate soil temperature, reduce evaporation, and keep the soil from drying out too quickly.

Check before you water:

Elevated beds need regular monitoring, but if you’re using high-quality soil, it will retain moisture better than typical container mixes. Always check the soil before watering and wait to water until the top inch or two dries out.

The goal is to keep soil consistently moist without waterlogging. A well-mulched bed with good soil and deep watering methods will outperform smaller containers and require less daily attention.

Smart Summer Placement of Elevated Garden Beds

In hot climates, where you place your elevated bed makes a big difference. Plants need sun to grow well, but too much afternoon sun can quickly stress them and dry out the soil.

The ideal spot receives morning sun and afternoon shade. This provides enough light for growth without exposing plants to the most intense heat of the day.

An elevated garden bed with various herbs and plants growing in labeled sections, set on a gravel surface beside a brick wall and leafy tree—ideal for gardeners seeking success in hot climates.

During hot months, I avoid:

Western exposures, which receive harsh afternoon sun.
Block walls or concrete, which reflect and radiate heat.

If your bed is on wheels, move it as needed throughout the season to find the right balance of sun and shade.

What to Plant in the Heat

In elevated beds during summer, compact, heat-tolerant crops are your best bet. Many warm-season favorites—like watermelon and sweet potatoes—can quickly overwhelm a small space, so variety selection and spacing are key.

Always start with healthy transplants and plant early so roots can get established before the heat sets in. Here are some ideas for summer gardening in elevated beds:

Close-up of two hands planting a small green seedling in dark soil, surrounded by other plants in an elevated garden bed—perfect for thriving even in hot climates.

Compact peppers and tomatoes (plant early and monitor—some may go dormant in the middle of summer)
Armenian cucumbers and cantaloupe, trained vertically on a ladder mesh block trellis
Basil, which thrives in the heat, can be harvested frequently
Dwarf zinnias or other compact, heat-loving flowers for color and pollinators

Avoid overcrowding. Give crops enough room to grow. For more ideas, see my full guides on heat-loving vegetables and heat-tolerant flowers.

What to Do During a Heatwave

Regular summer heat is one thing, but when temperatures spike or linger for days, elevated beds need extra protection. Because they’re exposed on all sides, the soil heats up faster than in-ground beds, which can stress or even damage plant roots.

Here’s how I protect my elevated beds during extreme heat:

Move the bed into shade if possible. Even shifting a few feet can make a big difference.
Use shade cloth or a lightweight cover to block direct sun during the hottest part of the day.
Check soil moisture more frequently. Even beds with ollas and mulch can dry out quickly during a heatwave.
Water early in the day so plants are hydrated before peak heat.
Mulch well to insulate the soil and reduce evaporation from the surface.

A digital soil tester displaying a temperature of 82°F is inserted into mulch-covered soil in an elevated garden bed, ideal for hot climates.

You can also monitor how hot the soil is getting using a soil thermometer. I use this soil thermometer from Amazon to track soil temps during the hottest months. For a full how-to, see my guide: How to Check Soil Temperature.