Choose a space you can care for
Begin with the area you can realistically reach, water, and maintain. Observe the location before planning: where sunlight falls, where water collects, and how you will get to each side. A diagram cannot evaluate these conditions for you.
University of Maryland Extension’s starting guide provides broader site and preparation guidance. Use your local Extension service for region-specific timing and growing advice.
Measure the usable bed
Write down inside length and width. Exclude paths and framing. A rectangular footprint gives you a simple starting point, but make sure the centre is reachable without stepping on the growing area. The calculator accepts wide beds; that does not make every width convenient.
You can use feet, inches, metres, or centimetres. Measure both sides in the same system to avoid a conversion error.
Pick a few crops you will use
Start with a small selection rather than trying to fill every possible position. Check variety, mature size, support requirements, and locally suitable planting time. Our 18-crop library helps with spacing; it does not select crops for your climate or create a planting calendar.
Record desired quantities as final plants. Seeds sown, germination, losses, and harvest volume are separate decisions.
What to have ready before you open the planner
| Have ready | Why the planner needs it |
|---|---|
| Inside length and width | Every count starts from the usable growing area. |
| A short list of crops, in order of priority | Crops are placed from the back edge in list order; the first ones get space first. |
| How many final plants of each | The planner fits plants, not seeds. |
| Spacing from your seed packets | Presets are starting points; your variety may differ. |
| Blocks or rows | The two methods use different distances from different sources. |
| Whether anything needs support | One crop can be placed along a trellis at the back edge. |
| Soil depth to add and the bag size | The plan sheet includes a soil estimate for the whole bed. |
Make and question the layout
Enter your dimensions and crops in the bed planner. Review every spacing assumption. A supported tomato preset requires support; choosing a trellis edge does not build one or account for its shade.
If requested plants do not fit, consider fewer plants or a different bed. Do not reduce spacing merely to remove the warning. Use the spacing guide to understand the methods before changing them.
When the result is on screen, the guide to reading a plan explains each number, and the worked examples show typical first beds.
Prepare soil, then take the plan outside
Decide whether you are filling a new bed or topping up an existing one. Follow the filling guide and use the soil calculator for quantity. Material quality and nutrients require different information.
Print the plan, check its measurements against the real bed, and mark plant centres. Keep access, watering, and support practical. The plan is a starting arrangement; adjust it when conditions and plant growth show that you need more room.
The marking-out guide walks through transferring the printed plan into the bed.