Last Updated on October 31, 2024
Square Foot Gardening Chart – Spacing Guide By Vegetable
Why Use a Square Foot Garden Layout?
The square foot gardening layout is a popular method of organizing a vegetable garden because it allows you to maximize the space you have available. By dividing your garden into small, one-foot squares and carefully planning which plants go in each square, you can fit a larger number of plants into a smaller area by following guidelines in the square foot gardening chart below. This is especially useful if you have limited space for a garden, such as a small backyard or a balcony or just looking to maximize yields.
Using a square foot gardening layout also helps you to plant and grow different vegetables together in a way that maximizes their growth and productivity. By following the recommended plant spacing guidelines in the square foot gardening chart below, you can ensure that your plants have enough room to grow and thrive without overcrowding each other.
Overall, the square foot gardening layout is a great way to efficiently and effectively use your gardening space to grow a variety of vegetables. So, it is a highly recommended method for those who want to grow a large amount of food in a small area.
While our square foot gardening layout provides a detailed chart for various vegetables, it’s important to highlight that each of the vegetables listed is among the best vegetables for square foot gardening. This guide will delve deeper into why these specific vegetables are perfect for maximizing your gardening efficiency and space.
First, start building a square foot garden template
First, divide your garden into 1-foot squares. This can be done by drawing lines in the soil with a rake or using strings are guides. In the example below we divided up the 4′ X 8′ raised bed, into 32 garden squares with string. This produces a square foot garden template to begin working with. This creates a grid that allows you to easily plan and plant your garden, ensuring that each square foot is used efficiently. Finally, After building the template, you can then decide which vegetables or plants you want to grow in each square and plant by making a placement plan according to the square foot gardening chart below. Square foot gardening is a great way to maximize the space in your garden and ensure that you are growing a diverse and abundant harvest.
Next, plants are sown or transplanted into each 1×1 square in multiples of 1, 2, 4, 9, or 16 depending on the crop.
See the square foot planting placement example below.
Last, there are some vegetables that take up a lot of space like pumpkins for example. Those will require at least 4 squares for 1 plant and should be trained outside of the growing area. Tomatoes on the other hand could be pruned and grown vertically as close as 1 square foot, however allowing for 1 per every 4 squares is best. I have added those details in the square foot gardening chart below.
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Square Foot Gardening Chart By Vegetable
Below is a square-foot garden layout chart of popular plants and their optimal planting spacing. Use this square foot gardening chart as a plant spacing guide for your square foot garden.
| Vegetable Type | Spacing Per Square | Vegetable Type | Spacing Per Square |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artichoke | 1 per 4 squares | Oregano | 1 |
| Arugula | 4 | Parsley | 4 |
| Asian Greens | 4 | Parsnips | 9 |
| Basil | 2-4 | Peanuts | 1 |
| Beans (bush) | 9 | Peas | 9 |
| Beets | 9 | Peppers (Bell) | 1 |
| Bok Choy (baby) | 9 | Peppers (All Others) | 1 |
| Broccoli | 1 | Potatoes | 2 |
| Broccoli Rabe | 1 | Pumpkins | 1 per 4 squares |
| Brussel Sprout | 1 | Quinoa | 4 |
| Cabbage | 1 | Radicchio | 2 |
| Cantaloupe | 1 per 4 squares | Radishes | 16 |
| Carrots | 16 | Rhubarb | 1 |
| Cauliflower | 1 | Rosemary | 1 |
| Celery | 4 | Rutabagas | 4 |
| Celtuce | 2 | Sage | 1 |
| Chives | 4 | Scallions | 16 |
| Cilantro | 1-9 | Shallots | 4 |
| Collards | 1 | Sorrel | 2 |
| Corn | 4 | Spinach | 9 |
| Cucumbers | 2 | Squash | 1 per 4 squares |
| Dill | 2 | Strawberry | 1-4 |
| Eggplant | 1 | Swiss Chard | 4 |
| Endive | 4 | Tarragon | 1 |
| Fennel | 4 | Tomatoes | 1 per 4 squares |
| French Sorrel | 4-9 | Turnips | 9 |
| Garlic | 4 | Thyme | 4 |
| Green Onions | 16 | Wasabi | 1 |
| Kale | 1 | Watercress | 1 |
| Kohlrabi | 4 | Watermelon | 1 per 4 squares |
| Leeks | 9 | Yams | 4 |
| Lettuce (leaf) | 4 | Zucchini | 1 per 4 squares |
| Lettuce (head) | 4 | Blueberries | NA (See Below) |
| Melons | 1 per 4 squares | Raspberries | NA (See Below) |
| Mint | 1-4 | ||
| Onions (bunching) | 16 | ||
| Onions Large | 4 |
Choosing the Best Vegetables for Square Foot Gardening Spacing
Each vegetable featured in our square foot gardening chart ranks among the best vegetables for square foot gardening, chosen for their ability to maximize both space and efficiency in your garden. Let’s explore why these specific vegetables excel in square foot gardening vegetable spacing.
- Artichokes, Broccoli, and Cabbage: These larger plants thrive when given their own squares, preventing overcrowding and allowing for optimal growth, making them some of the best choices for square foot gardening.
- Root Vegetables (Carrots, Radishes, Beets): Known for their below-ground growth, these vegetables are ideal for dense planting, enabling you to harvest substantial yields from a relatively small area—perfect for the spatial efficiency required in square foot gardening.
- Leafy Greens (Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard): These varieties are excellent for close spacing and successive planting, ensuring a continual harvest and making them top picks for your square foot garden.
- Climbing Plants (Peas, Beans, Cucumbers): By training these plants up trellises, you effectively utilize vertical space, increasing the productivity of your garden’s footprint without expanding its area.
Blueberries and Raspberries: Spacing and Placement
While square foot gardening is a great way to maximize the yield of your vegetable garden, some plants, like blueberries and raspberries, require more space and a different approach to planting.
When it comes to blueberries, they need at least 3 feet of space between each plant to grow and produce fruit. Moreover, blueberries require acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5, which may not be compatible with the soil in your vegetable garden. Therefore, it’s best to plant blueberries in their own separate space, either in containers or a dedicated patch in your yard.
As for raspberries, they also need about 2-3 feet of space between each plant, as they can spread and produce suckers. However, unlike blueberries, raspberries are more adaptable to different soil types and pH levels. Nonetheless, it’s still recommended to plant raspberries in their own area, preferably with a trellis or support system to help them grow vertically and avoid crowding.
In summary, while blueberries and raspberries can be a delicious addition to your garden, they require a different approach to planting and spacing compared to vegetables and other plants. Make sure to give them plenty of room to grow and expand, and consider planting them outside of your vegetable garden area for optimal results.
Planning Ahead By Creating A Garden Layout Plan
Planning your garden layout can be a daunting task, especially if you are new to gardening. However, with a little bit of planning and organization, you can easily create a beautiful and productive garden.
One important aspect to consider when designing your garden layout is the amount of space required by each plant. By using this square foot gardening chart above, you can determine the exact amount of space needed for each type of vegetable. Square foot gardening vegetable spacing helps you to maximize your garden space and ensure that all plants have enough room to grow and thrive.
Another important factor to consider is the placement of larger plants in relation to smaller ones. You want to avoid having larger plants shade out smaller ones, so it’s important to position them in such a way that allows for plenty of sunlight to reach all parts of the garden. Our Plan My Garden square foot gardening planner helps with this by suggesting the best placement for larger vegetables in the north and east sections of the beds, and placing larger plants at the edges of the beds so they can sprawl out.
By taking the time to carefully plan your garden layout, you can create a beautiful and productive garden that will provide you with a bounty of fresh vegetables all season long. And with our square foot gardening planner, Plan My Garden you can easily create your custom garden layout plan for only $39. Don’t wait any longer to start your gardening journey – get your personalized square foot garden plan today!”
Converting Seed Packet Plant Spacing to Square Foot Plant Spacing
To calculate the number of plants that can fit in each square foot of your garden for square foot gardening vegetable spacing, refer to the seed packet for the recommended plant spacing. This information can be found on the back of the packet and will tell you the distance between plants within a row. Simply disregard the row spacing and focus on the plant spacing.
To calculate the number of plants per square foot in your garden, use this formula:
(Planting area length / Plant spacing) * (Planting area width / Plant spacing) / Number of square feet in planting area = Total number of plants per square foot
For a simple example, of a 1 square foot planting area and the recommended plant spacing is 3 inches, the calculation would be:
(12 inches / 3 inches) * (12 inches / 3 inches) / 1 square foot = 16 plants per square foot
You can simply replace the planting area length and width with your own values, and the plant spacing with the recommended value from your seed packet.
Lastly, don’t worry, you don’t have to do the math yourself. See the quick reference below or use our seed packet square foot spacing calculator below.
If the Seed Packet Recommends Plant Spacing Of:
- 3 inches, you can fit 16 plants in each square foot.
- 4 inches, you can fit 9 plants in each square foot.
- 6 inches, you can fit 4 plants per square foot.
- 12 inches, you can fit 1 plant per square foot.
Wrapping Up: Harnessing the Power of the Square Foot Gardening Chart for Optimal Yield
In conclusion, selecting the best vegetables for square foot gardening and effectively using a square foot gardening chart are essential for maximizing your garden’s productivity. These strategies guide you in optimizing plant placement and spacing, ensuring a diverse and prolific harvest from every square inch of your garden space.
Try Plan My Garden now and receive a custom visual planting schedule, a getting started guide, grow guides for each vegetable, and a personalized plant layout. Don’t wait any longer—get your personalized square foot garden plan now and transform your gardening experience!
See How Plan My Garden – Square Foot Garden Planner Works
Bookmark This Page!
You’ll find yourself wanting to reference this chart through the growing season – don’t forget to bookmark this page! Finally, check out our handy seed germination temperature chart.
Square Foot Gardening Spacing FAQ
A: A square foot garden layout is a way of organizing a garden by dividing it into small, evenly spaced squares, each representing one square foot of space.
A: Square foot garden layouts are useful for maximizing space and maximizing yields in small garden spaces. They also make it easier to plan and organize a garden, as you can easily see how much space each plant will need.
A: To start building a square foot garden template, divide your garden into 1-foot squares using either a rake or strings as guides.
A: To use the square foot gardening layout chart by vegetable, simply look up the vegetable you want to plant and follow the recommended spacing guidelines. This will help you plan out your garden and ensure that each plant has enough space to grow.
A: To plan ahead by creating a garden layout plan, first identify all the garden space you have and map out how much space you have and where to position each vegetable. Consider the size and growth habits of each plant to ensure that larger plants don’t shade out smaller ones.
A: To easily plan your square foot garden use a square foot gardening planner like Plan My Garden. Simply enter your zip code, draw your layout, and enter the plants you want to grow. Plan My Garden will send you a custom visual schedule, a getting started guide, grow guide for each vegetable, and a custom plant layout for your square foot garden.
(Planting area length / Plant spacing) * (Planting area width / Plant spacing) / Number of square feet in planting area = Total number of plants per square foot. Use our Seed Packet Square Foot Spacing Calculator to make things simple.
The number of plants you can plant in a square foot garden will depend on the type of plants you are growing and the spacing between them – you can typically place 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, or 16 plants per square foot. Use this square-foot gardening chart above for each specific vegetable.
Yes, Square foot gardening can be worth it, it is an effective way to maximize the output you can provide in a garden space and make planning much easier. It is also an easy way to keep your garden organized and make sure everything is planted in the right place.
Plan My Garden is a square foot gardening planner that helps users efficiently plan and design their garden layout. It provides custom visual planting schedules, a getting started guide, grow guides for each vegetable, and a custom plant layout for square foot gardening. It costs $29 for a personalized garden plan.
Absolutely! Beginners might find it easier to start with vegetables that are less demanding and highly rewarding. Some of the best vegetables for square foot gardening beginners include lettuce, radishes, bush beans, and Swiss chard. These are not only easy to grow but also adapt well to the compact spaces of square foot gardens.
If you’re looking to maintain a year-round garden in frost-free areas, some of the best vegetables for square foot gardening include kale, carrots, and broccoli. These can be grown in different seasons and are resilient across various weather conditions.
Green Onions: Plant 16 green onions per square foot. This arrangement ensures a consistent and plentiful supply of these flavorful onions.
Onions (Bunching): Bunching onions also thrive with 16 per square foot. This density is ideal for growing clusters that are ready to harvest.
Onions (Large): For large onion varieties, plant 4 per square foot. This provides the necessary space for the bulbs to grow to full size.
When planting basil in square foot gardening, you can grow between 2 to 4 plants per square foot. Here’s what to consider:
2 Plants per Square Foot: For larger basil varieties or those requiring more airflow, aim for 2 plants per square foot. This spacing gives each plant sufficient room to grow and produce abundant foliage.
4 Plants per Square Foot: Smaller basil varieties can be spaced 4 per square foot, maximizing yield in limited space while ensuring enough room for each plant to thrive.
Adjust the spacing based on your basil variety and available garden space to achieve the best growth and harvest.
Plant 4 parsley plants per square foot. This spacing ensures ample growth room and a plentiful harvest.
Plant 2 dill plants per square foot. They grow very tall and big, so this spacing provides enough room for them to flourish.
For both lettuce head and leaf varieties, plant 4 lettuce plants per square foot. This provides sufficient space for healthy growth while maximizing your garden’s yield.
You can grow 2 cucumber plants per square foot. Don’t forget to use a trellis to maximize yields and provide sturdy support for healthy growth.
Plant 4 thyme plants per square foot. This spacing ensures ample room for each plant while optimizing the use of your garden space.
Plant 1 broccoli plant per square foot, even for smaller varieties like broccolini. This spacing provides ample room for growth and helps maximize yields.
24 Responses
What about climbing beans? Thanks for your help!
Hi Meagan! Climbing beans are 9 per square feet around the pole or climbing structure in your square foot garden! Happy Growing -Tim
used to watch on tv years ago wish they would bring it back
I don’t see Edamame on this list (will be growing one called Karikachi Edamame)
Hi Shirley! I would say 4-9 similar to bush beans. I will update the list! Happy growing!
I get the number of plants per square foot but is there a particular layout to use? Like if I am planting broccoli, caulifower, bush beans, radishes, carrots, etc. Are there guidelines as to what to plant next to each other or on the north side? South side? In the middle?
If your planting in a small place, the best thing to keep in mind is the height of the plants. Plants that are going to be trellised, plant on the north and west side so they don’t shade. Then keep taller plants on the north and west side and smaller plants on the south and east side. In our custom garden plans, plant heights are automatically taken into account based on thee garden layout. – https://organicbackyardgardening.com/planmygarden
I just prepped a 16’x 32′ garden space. Can this same concept be applied using sq. ft method leaving space between the different veggies to move thru? Also , I wanted to grow corn , and was thinking of utilizing 4′ x 16′. Using this method would that be too dense? Thank you!
Yes! You can section of square foot sections between the walkways. You can certainly grow corn in a in the 4’x16′ space – that should give you 256 plants at 4 per square foot – I would highly recommend making sure that soil is amended with fresh compost or manure as corn is a heavy feeder.
I haven’t grown any summer squashes since moving to square foot and eathbox gardening. Thank you for showing me I don’t have to use my earthbox & can make use of vertical gardening.
Thank you for the quick reference! Just adding a few more herbs and vegetables and was happy to find them in this list.
Hi Mary Ann! So happy I was able to help! Thank you for checking out this square foot guide! – Tim
Greetings! This is my first comment here
so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell
you I really enjoy reading through your articles.
Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same
topics? Thank you so much!
I like the idea of collaborating to celebrate each other! I’d be interested in making a mutually enjoyable relationship with Admin of Organic Backyard Gardening. I am a huge fan of square foot gardening and I am featuring this style of gardening in one chapter of my new book. I love that you have the software to help people to plan out their space and would love to feature that in my book. Please reach out if you are interested!! HAPPY GARDENING!
Hi Jo Ann, Thanks for the comment and gald we connected via email – looking forward to further discussing! Cheers, Tim
Thanks. this was just the information I needed.
how do you suggest doing okra
1 or 2 per square. I have updated the list! 🙂
Thanks for discussing the following wonderful subject matter on your website. I noticed it on the search engines. I am going to check back again when you post additional aricles.
Thanks so much for this great information!!
No problem! So glad you liked it! 🙂
You forgot onions in your list.
Hey Dale,
Hope all is well for Large bulbing onions, they can be planted 9 per square foot. Scallions and Green Onion types can be planted 16 per sq foot. I have updated the square foot gardening guide above.
Thanks for adding some of the onions – you still forgot onions 🙂 No regular bulb onions. Large bulbs at 4 per square and smaller bulbs at 9 per square. I’m going to just go with 4.