Building new raised beds

I need opinions. I am building new raised beds and am wondering if it would be better to have my rows running from east to west, or north to south. I am placing them in the sunniest spot possible, but I have several areas that get encroached upon by shade during the course of the day. Of course the point would be moot if I were to build square ones rather than rectangular ones...or would a combination or orientations be a good idea?

I had to look to see if I posted that, it sounds like my yard!

I was not sure how the sun was going to travel across my garden so I have half going one way and half going another. I planted a row of beans along the side that is next to the oak tree, since it won't be blocking sun. I can always rotate the crops accordingly.

Actually you probably wont' have "rows" in a raised bed, that would waste space. You'll just have to be mindful of where the shadows are cast.

I believe that normally you would plant east to west so the rows get more even sunlight.
But it would depend on if you have buildings or trees blocking in that direction.
I'm not an expert however. Hopefully one will come by soon and give you the right info.

I've never used raised beds, but my mom has. She made a 'sun' out of hers. A box in the middle with diagonal 'sun rays' in a circle. This would give you boxes in all directions. (I guess it also looks like a flower)

I didn't have a choice. My yard has a gentle slope from East to West, so I put the beds across the slope. This will be my third summer in the this location, and so far I am happy with this arrangement.

Thanks all. I guess saying "rows" was inaccurate. I am mostly referring to how I would align the beds if I don't build them simply in a square shape. My available space is rectangular running north/south. My issues are that at the south end is a large pin oak, to the west is the shadow cast by my house as the afternoon progresses, and slightly north of the house is an ash tree that my wife doesn't want to get rid of yet, and lastly a swale to the east cause by an easement. Running things north/south is the most efficient way to use the space, but east/west makes more sense regarding even sun. I've also give thought to a "T" shape...essentially running both ways rather than two going east/west.

I think the important thing is not planting tall and short crops next to each other. If everything is close together, you'll have to plan ahead for the final "heights" of each plant.

What if you plant the tall plants on the north side of the box and progressively get to the shortest plants on the south side of the box. Like tomatoes in the back or north, the peppers in front of them, beans farther forward and onions or greens on the far south? That's how I'm planning on doing mine this summer. I've got 4'x8' raised beds in three rows running east to west, only because that was the only place I had room for them.

Quick question, Started a bed, tilled the area now I am just wondering if I need to but some kind of weed/grass killer down?

If you have very pervasive grass, then I would have scraped it off first.

If you put weed killer, then you will not be able to garden there for 1-2 months.

I guess you can try vinegar or weed cover to try to kill the grass.

Jarsh83 - I have had personaly experience with trying to kill Burmuda Grass - it will grow through anything! I didn't use a weed/grass killer because I garden organically, but I used layers of cardboard/newspaper without success. Last year, I stood my tomato pots on thick layers of cardboard, and the grass grew through the cardboard, and up through the holes in the bottom of the 10-gallon pots! This year, I'm trying old carpet to smother the grass. I will place my potted tomatoes on it. The only way I found to get rid of Burmuda Grass is to hand dig it, and get every little piece out of there. I now keep my pathways covered with a six inch layer of leaves. Hopefully it will not reappear this summer.

My father was an avid gardner(farmer)of Vegtables and I am the flower person. This year my husband just put in a raised Veg. bed 5 X 10 in full sun all day. My father is no longer here to give pointers to me. My question is what vegtables grow well planted next to other vegtables in your garden????? I want to plant the basic for me, tom, squash, onions, zuc, pole beans, maybe pot. Help please.

PeeOknee, I would put the pole beans along the North edge of your bed with good upright support because they will be tall. I assume "maybe pot" means "maybe potatoes" not that "other stuff" (giggle) - you could bury a small number in front of your beans - they won't be ready to harvest until fall. The squash and zucinni could be planted along the other edges so they can spill over the sides of your bed. The onions could be squeezed into the rest of the spaces. As to tomatoes - they take up a lot of space, so you might consider planting them eleswhere in 5 gallon pots - one plant per pot, although I have found they do better if I put two in a one 10 gallon pot - not so much watering needed in the larger pot. If your space is very limited, you might want to place your potted tomatoes outside your raised bed and let the squash and zucinni meander around them.