When you read the plant spacing recommendations on the back of seed packets, or plant tags, those are for in ground planting. This plant spacing guide uses the square foot garden method and is a great way to grow an intensive vegetable garden in less space and with less work. Using the guide, you will measure your gardening space and divide that into 1 foot squares. For example: my raised beds are 4 foot wide, 6 foot long, or 4×6. That bed will give me 24 squares to plant in. Each vegetable, herb or flower requires a certain amount of space. Using a piece of graph paper, draw out your bed and divide into equal squares according to how large your bed is. Decide what you want to plant. Remember to include herbs and flowers planted around the edge of your bed to attract pollinators, deter pests, and attract beneficial insects. Aim for diversity in your bed, not just one or two vegetables. This results in a healthier garden. Large plants should be placed at the back, and medium size plants next. Sprawling plants such as squash should be planted in front allowing them to cascade over the bed. You can also plant them on a trellis or arch, giving you more room. To Download the Chart to print, click on the picture.
Happy Gardening!
Karen