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Square-foot gardening makes raised bed spacing simple: divide your bed into a 1×1 ft grid and plant 1, 4, 9, or 16 of each crop per square based on its mature size. Here’s the chart.
Square foot spacing chart
| Plants per square foot | Crops |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tomato, pepper, eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, zucchini* |
| 4 | Lettuce, Swiss chard, bush beans, parsley, marigold |
| 9 | Spinach, bush peas, beets, turnips |
| 16 | Carrots, radishes, onions, garlic |
*Zucchini and other sprawling squash technically need 1 per 2 squares — give them room.
How to use the grid
- Divide your bed into 1×1 ft squares (string or thin lath works).
- Pick the number from the chart for each crop.
- Space evenly within the square: for 4 per square, plant in a 2×2 pattern; for 9, a 3×3; for 16, a 4×4.
- Thin as needed — sow a couple extra seeds per spot and thin to the strongest.
Not sure how big to build? Use our size calculator — a 4×4 bed is 16 squares, a 4×8 is 32.
Why spacing matters
- Too crowded → poor airflow, disease, small harvests.
- Too sparse → wasted space and more weeds in the bare soil.
Square-foot spacing hits the sweet spot, which is why it’s the go-to method for raised beds. Pair it with companion planting and you’ll get the most from every square. New to raised beds? Start with the beginner’s guide.
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should I plant vegetables in a raised bed?
Use square-foot spacing: large plants like tomatoes and peppers get 1 per square foot, lettuce and bush beans 4, spinach and bush peas 9, and carrots, radishes, and onions up to 16 per square foot.
What is square foot gardening?
Square foot gardening divides a raised bed into a 1×1 ft grid and plants a set number of each crop per square based on its mature size. It maximizes yield in a small space and makes spacing simple.
How many tomatoes per square foot?
One. Tomatoes are large and need a full square foot each (with a cage), plus airflow to prevent disease. Don't crowd them.
How many carrots can you grow in a square foot?
About 16 — they're small and grow well close together. Thin them as they sprout so the roots have room to size up.