How far apart should I sow my seed or transplant my plants?
This is a common concern when planting a garden. Each plant has individual soil, water, pollination, and ventilation needs and will need to be spaced apart accordingly.
Planting and sowing seed using this square foot method can also help your garden produce a larger harvest in the same amount of growing space.
Take advantage of every inch of growing space you have by using this simple square foot growing guide!
Square Foot Growing Guide
Why is spacing important?
Pollination: Proper spacing in plants is important for successful pollination. Plants that are pollinated by the wind need to be spaced apart differently than plants that are being pollinated by pollinators.
Soil Nutrients: Each plant needs specific nutrients from the soil and some plants are heavier feeder than others. Properly spacing your plants so that they do not deplete the soil is important for the health for the health of the plant and fruit.
Water: Plants need water, and each type of plant will have specific water needs. When plants are properly spaced, each plant’s root system will have room to access the water it needs to thrive.
Disease: Soil and air borne diseases can quickly spread from one plant to another. Plants need room for air flow between them to reduce the spread of disease.
Pests: Pests are another reason that proper spacing is important because when plants are properly spaced apart pests have a harder time moving from one plant to the next.
Now that you know why proper spacing is so important to the health of your plants, here is a square foot planting guide to help you make the most of your garden space while maintaining the health of your plants!
Square Foot Growing Guide
To use this square foot growing guide, you will need to space out your garden plot into 1ft by 1ft squares. Below is a guide on how many plants your can plant in each square foot of growing space.
1 Per Square Plantings
(1 plant per sq ft)
Celery
Corn
Eggplant
Okra
Kale
Peppers
Sweet Potatoes
Potatoes
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Tomatoes
2 Per Square Plantings
(2 plants per sq ft)
Cantaloupe
Winter Squash
Pumpkins
Watermelons
Cucumbers
4 per Square Plantings
(4 plants per sq ft)
Basil
Leeks
Lettuce
Onions
Garlic
Kohlrabi
Rutabaga
Swiss Chard
8 per Square Planting
Beans
Peas
Spinach
Turnips
Cilantro
Beets
16 per Square Planting
Carrots
Radishes
Baby leafy greens
1 plant per 2 square foot planting
These plants take up more space and will use up to 2 sq ft of space each.
Summer Squash and Zucchini
Broccoli
Cabbage
Brussel Sprouts
Cauliflower
Using this simple guide when transplanting or sowing seed can help you maximize your garden space without stressing your plants. Planting using square foot spacing can be used in small garden spaces and as well as long market garden style rows. Hopefully this guide helps you make the most of your space and brings you additional harvests as a reward!
Blessings of Bounty- Amber Jouben
Heritage Hollow Homestead