Plant Spacing Calculator
Calculate exactly how many plants fit in your garden. Optimize your vegetable garden layout for maximum yield.
Calculate Your Space
Enter your garden dimensions to get started
will fit in your garden!
How to Use the Plant Spacing Calculator
1. Enter Dimensions
Measure your garden bed and enter the length and width. Switch between metric and imperial units as needed.
2. Select Your Plant
Choose from our list of common vegetables. Each plant has optimized spacing requirements built in.
3. Get Your Results
See exactly how many plants will fit and visualize the layout in your garden bed.
Why Proper Plant Spacing Matters
☀️ Sunlight Access
Proper spacing ensures each plant receives adequate sunlight for photosynthesis. Overcrowded plants compete for light, leading to weak, leggy growth and reduced yields.
💨 Air Circulation
Good airflow between plants helps prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew and blight. Crowded plants create humid microclimates where diseases thrive.
💧 Water & Nutrients
Each plant needs access to soil moisture and nutrients. Correct spacing prevents root competition, ensuring healthier plants with better vegetable production.
🌿 Maximum Yield
While it might seem counterintuitive, properly spaced plants often produce more than overcrowded ones. Each plant can reach its full potential.
Plant Spacing Tips for Beginners
Measure Your Space First
Before buying seeds or seedlings, know your garden dimensions. This calculator helps you buy the right quantity.
Consider Mature Plant Size
Seedlings look small, but tomatoes can grow 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Plan for the adult plant, not the baby.
Use Square Foot Gardening
For raised beds, the square foot method maximizes space. Different plants need 1, 4, 9, or 16 per square foot.
Leave Room for Access
Don't forget pathways! You'll need to water, weed, and harvest. Plan for at least 18 inches of walking space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I plant vegetables too close together?+
Overcrowded plants compete for sunlight, water, and nutrients. This leads to stunted growth, lower yields, increased pest problems, and higher risk of fungal diseases. Plants may also become stressed and produce fewer or smaller vegetables.
Can I plant closer if I water and fertilize more?+
While intensive gardening methods can allow slightly closer spacing with extra care, there are limits. Light and air circulation can't be compensated for with water and fertilizer. Stick to recommended spacing for best results.
How do I measure spacing in my garden?+
Use a measuring tape or create a planting board with marked intervals. For row spacing, measure from the center of one row to the center of the next. For plant spacing within rows, measure from the center of one plant to the center of the next.
Are these spacing recommendations for raised beds or in-ground gardens?+
These spacings work for both raised beds and in-ground gardens. Raised beds with improved soil can sometimes accommodate slightly closer spacing, but starting with standard recommendations is best for beginners.