Total Plants
27
Area
32 sq ft
Varieties
3
Bed Size
8 × 4 ft
3 plants selected
27
32 sq ft
3
8 × 4 ft
Inputs
Result
Total area = 32 sq ft, divided 3 ways = 10.67 sq ft each. Tomatoes: floor(10.67 × 0.25) = 2. Basil: floor(10.67 × 1) = 10. Marigolds: floor(10.67 × 1.44) = 15. Total = 2 + 10 + 15 = 27. All three are good companion plants.
Inputs
Result
Total area = 16 sq ft, divided 3 ways = 5.33 sq ft each. Lettuce: floor(5.33 × 4) = 21. Carrots: floor(5.33 × 16) = 85. Radishes: floor(5.33 × 9) = 48. Total = 21 + 85 + 48 = 154. Lettuce + Carrots and Lettuce + Radishes are good companion pairs.
Inputs
Result
Total area = 32 sq ft, divided 4 ways = 8 sq ft each. Tomatoes: floor(8 × 0.25) = 2. Peppers: floor(8 × 0.44) = 3. Basil: floor(8 × 1) = 8. Beans: floor(8 × 4) = 32. All are compatible companions.
A 4x8 raised bed has 32 square feet. The number of plants depends on spacing: you can fit 8 tomatoes (24" spacing), 128 carrots (3" spacing), or about 32 basil plants (12" spacing). Most gardeners mix 4-6 plant types.
Companion planting places mutually beneficial plants together. Basil near tomatoes repels pests and may improve flavor. Marigolds deter nematodes. Bad pairings like fennel near tomatoes can stunt growth through allelopathy.
Spacing varies by plant: tomatoes need 24 inches, peppers 18 inches, lettuce 6 inches, and carrots just 3 inches. In square foot gardening, you plant in a grid based on plants per square foot rather than row spacing.
| Plant | Spacing | Plants per ft² |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | 24" | 1 |
| Peppers | 18" | 1 |
| Lettuce | 6" | 4 |
| Carrots | 3" | 16 |
| Radishes | 3" | 16 |
| Basil | 12" | 1 |
Square foot gardening divides a raised bed into 1-foot squares, each planted with a specific number of plants based on spacing. For example, 1 tomato per square, 4 lettuce per square, or 16 carrots per square. It maximizes yield in small spaces.
Basil, marigolds, and carrots are excellent tomato companions. Basil may repel aphids and improve flavor. Marigolds deter nematodes and whiteflies. Carrots loosen soil around tomato roots. Avoid planting cabbage or fennel near tomatoes.
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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026
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