Total Plants
4
Seeds
5
Per Row
4
Rows
1
Square Foot Gardening
Grid-based intensive spacing
Total Plants
4
Tomatoes
Per Row
4
Rows
1
Plant Spacing
24"
Row Spacing
36"
Seeds Needed (with 20% extra)
5 seeds
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Inputs
Result
Bed = 96" × 48". Tomato spacing = 24" between plants, 36" between rows. Plants per row = floor(96 / 24) = 4. Number of rows = floor(48 / 36) = 1. Total = 4 × 1 = 4 plants. Seeds = ceil(4 × 1.2) = 5.
Inputs
Result
Bed = 120" × 48". Lettuce spacing = 6" between plants, 12" between rows. Plants per row = floor(120 / 6) = 20. Number of rows = floor(48 / 12) = 4. Total = 20 × 4 = 80 plants. Seeds = ceil(80 × 1.2) = 96.
Proper spacing ensures plants have enough room for roots, air circulation, and sunlight. Overcrowding leads to disease, stunted growth, and lower yields. Under-planting wastes garden space and resources.
Square foot gardening divides beds into 1-foot squares, with each square planted with a specific number of plants based on spacing. It maximizes yield in small spaces using intensive, grid-based planting.
| Plants per Sq Ft | Spacing | Crops |
|---|---|---|
| 1 plant | 12" | Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant |
| 4 plants | 6" | Lettuce, basil, Swiss chard |
| 9 plants | 4" | Spinach, beets, turnips |
| 16 plants | 3" | Carrots, radishes, onions |
Spacing depends on the plant's mature size. Large plants like tomatoes need 18-24 inches. Medium plants like peppers need 12-18 inches. Small plants like lettuce can be 4-6 inches apart.
| Crop | Plant Spacing | Row Spacing | Plants in 4×8 ft Bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | 24" | 36" | 4 |
| Peppers | 18" | 24" | 8 |
| Lettuce | 6" | 12" | 80 |
| Carrots | 3" | 12" | 128 |
| Bush beans | 4" | 18" | 60 |
Yes, buy 20-30% more seeds than plants needed. Not all seeds germinate, and some seedlings may not survive transplanting. Having extras ensures you can fill gaps without delay.
Plant spacing is the distance between plants within a row. Row spacing is the distance between rows. Row spacing is usually wider to allow walking, watering, and harvesting between rows.
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Last Updated: Mar 26, 2026
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