Yes. JoeBees is completely free to use, with no account required. Plan a raised bed, ask the AI gardening tutor questions, and print a take-outside sheet at no cost.

How big should my raised garden bed be?

A 4×8 foot raised bed is the most popular starter size. It gives you 32 square feet — enough for a varied salad, herb, and tomato mix — while staying narrow enough to reach the center from either side without stepping into the bed and compacting the soil.

What is square-foot gardening?

Square-foot gardening, popularized by Mel Bartholomew, divides a raised bed into 12-inch squares and assigns each square a set number of plants based on their mature size. JoeBees uses this method to maximize yield per square foot while preventing crowding and root competition.

Does JoeBees support companion planting?

Yes. JoeBees flags antagonistic pairings placed too close together and groups proven companions automatically. The AI layout tool also accounts for spacing, sun exposure, and your USDA hardiness zone.

🎃

Pumpkin

vegetable

Plant at the edge of the bed and train vines outward. Pinch to 2–3 fruits per vine for larger pumpkins. Harvest when rind is fully colored and stem has dried.

At a glance

USDA Zones: 3–10
Sun: Full sun (6+ hrs)
Water: High — consistently moist soil
Soil: loam
pH: neutral
Spacing: 36 in. between plants
SFG footprint: 3×3 ft cell footprint
Days to maturity: ~100 days

Planting & harvest windows

Northern Hemisphere timing. Adjust ±4–6 weeks based on your last/first frost dates.

Activity	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Plant
Harvest

Plant Harvest

Good companions

🌽
Corn
🫘
Bush Bean
🌺
Nasturtium
🌼
Marigold
🎃
Squash

Keep apart from

🥔
Potato

Recommended varieties

Jack-o-Lantern
75 daysseed
Classic carving pumpkin — uniform round shape.
Sugar Pie
100 daysseed
Small eating pumpkin with sweet, dense flesh — perfect for pies.
Cinderella (Rouge Vif d'Etampes)
95 daysseed
Stunning flattened heirloom with deep red-orange ribs.
Baby Boo
95 daysseed
Tiny white mini pumpkin — decorative and fun.

Add Pumpkin to your raised bed — the planner handles spacing and companion warnings automatically.

Open the planner →

← All plants Full companion chart →