Spacing is everything.
One of the best ways to grow a backyard veggie that is both efficient and productive is using Square Foot Gardening spacing. In a traditional garden of the past, people would use rows in order to grow their different vegetables.
That method works but you need a large garden space for that and many people do not have the space. Using square foot gardening can be incredibly productive for your backyard veggie garden.
Some examples for Square Foot Gardening Spacing
Arugula, 4 per SQF
Asparagus, 1 per SQF
Basil, 1 per SQF for large plants/4 per SQF for small plants
Beans (Bush), 9 per SQF
Beans (Pole), 8 per SQF
Beets, 9 per SQF
Broccoli, 1 per SQF
Cabbage, 1 per SQF
Carrots, 16 per SQF
Cauliflower, 1 per SQF
Celery, 1 per SQF
Chives, 9 per SQF
Cilantro, 1 per SQF
Corn, 4 per SQF
Cucumbers, 2 per SQF
Dill, 1 per SQF
Eggplant, 1 per SQF
Garlic, 4 per SQF for large varieties/9 per SQF for small varieties
Greens (Collard), 4 per SQF
Kale, 1-2 per SQF
Leeks, 4 per SQF for large varieties/9 per SQF for small varieties
Lettuce, 4 per SQF
Marjoram, 4 per SQF
Melons, 2 SQF per plant
Mint, 1 per SQF
New Zealand Spinach, 2 per SQF
Okra, 2 per SQF
Onions, 16 per SQF (I have better success with 9 per SQF)
Oregano, 1 per SQF
Parsley, 2 per SQF
Peas, 8 per SQF
Peppers, 1 per SQF
Potatoes, 1 per SQF
Quinoa, 4 per SQF
Pumpkins, 2 SQF per plant
Perpetual Spinach, 2 per SQF
Radishes, 16 per SQF
Rosemary, 1 per SQF
Rutabaga, 4 per SQF
Savory, 1 per SQF
Scallions, 16 per SQF
Spinach, 9 per SQF
Strawberry, 4 per SQF (some people say only 1 per SQF)
Summer Squash, 2 SQF per plant
Sunflower, 1 per SQF
Sweet Potatoes, 2 per SQF
Swiss Chard, 2 per SQF
Thyme, 4 per SQF
Tomatoes, 1 per SQF
Turnips, 9 per SQF
Winter Squash, 2 SQF per plant
Zucchini, 2 SQF per plant
How many per square foot (SQF)? Doing the Math.
General Outline
If you can’t find your plant on this list, here’s the low down on how to determine how many plants belong in a square foot. Look on the seed packet for the plant spacing (ignore the row spacing!). If the spacing is:
3” apart (or something smaller), plant 16 per square foot
4” apart, plant 9 per square foot
6” apart, plant 4 per square foot
12” apart, plant 1 per square foot
If you want more info on Square Foot Gardening, you should check out this book Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew
