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.

🌶️

Pepper

vegetable

At a glance

USDA Zones: 4–11
Sun: Full sun (6+ hrs)
Water: Medium — water when top inch of soil is dry
Soil: loam
pH: neutral
Spacing: 18 in. between plants
SFG footprint: 2×2 ft cell footprint
Days to maturity: ~80 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

🌿
Basil
Basil helps mask the scent of peppers from thrips and aphids, and shares the same sun + water needs.
🧅
Onion
🥕
Carrot
🍅
Tomato

Keep apart from

🌾
Fennel
🥦
Brassica (general)

Recommended varieties

California Wonder
75 daysboth
Classic blocky green-to-red bell pepper.
Jalapeño M
75 daysboth
Reliable medium-heat jalapeño for salsa.
Cayenne Long Slim
75 daysboth
Hot, prolific, easy to dry.
Poblano
80 daysboth
Mild, earthy pepper. Dried it becomes ancho chili.
Banana Pepper
70 daysboth
Sweet, tangy yellow pepper great for pickling or fresh.
Sweet Italian (Cubanelle)
65 daysboth
Thin-walled frying pepper, sweet and fruity.
Habanero
100 daysboth
Very hot (100k–350k SHU) with fruity citrus flavor.
Serrano
80 daysboth
Bright, grassy heat — spicier than jalapeño.
Anaheim
80 daysboth
Mild New Mexico-style pepper, great for stuffing and roasting.
Shishito
60 daysboth
Thin-skinned Japanese snacking pepper — mostly mild with the occasional hot one.

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

Open the planner →

← All plants Full companion chart →