Seed Spacing Calculator
Find out how many plants fit in your garden bed or row. Pick from 40+ common vegetables, herbs, and flowers or enter custom spacing.
How to Calculate Seed Spacing
Proper plant spacing ensures each plant gets enough sunlight, water, and nutrients to thrive. Overcrowding leads to poor airflow, disease, and reduced yields. Our calculator uses a simple grid method that works for raised beds and in-ground rows alike.
Rows = Bed Width ÷ Row Spacing
Plants per Row = Bed Length ÷ Plant Spacing
Total Plants = Rows × Plants per Row
For square foot gardening, use equal plant and row spacing.
Common Vegetable Spacing Guide
| Plant | Plant Spacing | Row Spacing | Per Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | 24 in | 36 in | 1 |
| Peppers | 18 in | 24 in | 1 |
| Lettuce | 6 in | 8 in | 4 |
| Carrots | 3 in | 6 in | 16 |
| Beans (bush) | 4 in | 18 in | 9 |
| Zucchini | 36 in | 48 in | 1 per 4 sq ft |
| Cucumbers | 12 in | 36 in | 2 |
| Radishes | 2 in | 6 in | 16 |
Tips for Better Yields
Succession planting — stagger plantings every 2–3 weeks for a continuous harvest instead of one big glut. Companion planting helps too: basil near tomatoes deters pests, marigolds around beds repel aphids, and tall plants like corn can shade heat-sensitive lettuce. For raised beds, you can typically space 15–20% closer than in-ground rows since soil quality is higher and you're not walking between rows.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the plant. At 12-inch spacing (like peppers), you'd fit about 32 plants. At 6-inch spacing (lettuce), about 128. At 3-inch spacing (radishes or carrots), around 512. Use our calculator above with your bed dimensions and plant type for an exact count.
Overcrowded plants compete for sunlight, water, and nutrients, resulting in smaller yields, weaker growth, and increased susceptibility to diseases like powdery mildew. Poor air circulation in dense plantings is the #1 cause of fungal issues in home gardens.
Yes — raised beds typically have richer soil and better drainage, so you can space plants 15–20% closer than traditional row garden recommendations. Square foot gardening takes this further by using intensive spacing in 1×1 foot squares with enriched soil.
For most vegetables, plant 2–3 seeds per hole to account for germination rates (which are typically 70–90%). Once seedlings emerge, thin to the strongest one per spot. For direct-sown crops like carrots and radishes, sprinkle seeds thinly and thin to proper spacing after sprouting.