Little Plot Works

Growing references

Vegetable spacing reference

18 starting points. Clear methods. Room for your own judgment.

Crops
18
Methods
Blocks & traditional rows
Data checked
September 22, 2026
Use with
Plant spacing · Bed planner

Distances below are plant × row spacing in inches, measured centre-to-centre. These are editable presets, not universal recommendations. Block presets generally use the wider end of the cited range; see how presets are selected. Traditional-row presets come from a different growing system and source; do not treat the two columns as interchangeable.

Colorado and Georgia guidance may need adjustment for your region, variety, soil and training method. Your packet and locally applicable advice take priority. Data checked against the linked sources on September 22, 2026; this is a source check, not field testing.

Reading a footprintEach footprint is a 2 × 2 ft square drawn at the block preset. Dots are final plants; faint circles show each plant’s share of space. Head lettuce at 12 inches: 4 plants.
Filter this table by crop name. No separate crop pages.

18 crops

Selected final spacing — all distances in inches. Footprint: final plants at block spacing in a 2 × 2 ft square.
CropFootprintEqual-distance blockTraditional rowAssumptions & source
Beet6 × 6 inSource range: 4–6 in2 × 30 inBlock preset uses the wider end of the published range. Thin seedlings to the selected final spacing.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Broccoli18 × 18 inSource range: 18 in18 × 30 inAllow for the mature plant rather than the transplant size.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Cabbage18 × 18 inSource range: 18 in12 × 30 inHead size and cultivar matter; check the packet before reducing spacing.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Carrot3 × 3 inSource range: 2–3 in3 × 24 inPositions represent final thinned roots, not the number of seeds to sow.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Cauliflower18 × 18 inSource range: 18 in18 × 36 inSelected distances describe final plants, not a seed-starting tray.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Cucumber (ground-grown)36 × 36 inSource range: 24–36 in48 × 60 inGround-grown vines. A trellis marker does not automatically change this preset; enter spacing suitable for your training method.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Eggplant24 × 24 inSource range: 18–24 in36 × 36 inVariety and mature canopy can require additional room.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Head lettuce12 × 12 inSource range: 10–12 in12 × 30 inFull heads, not dense baby-leaf production. Block source: GardenNotes 713.Block source · source reviewed April 2023
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Bulb onion6 × 6 inSource range: 4–6 in4 × 24 inMature bulbs rather than green onions; final spacing after thinning.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Garden pea6 × 6 inSource range: 4–6 in1 × 30 inCheck support needs for your variety. Trellis mode restricts this crop to one row along the back edge.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Pepper18 × 18 inSource range: 15–18 in24 × 30 inChoose a larger distance if your variety or local guidance calls for it.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Potato15 × 15 inSource range: 12–15 in14 × 36 inLeave practical access for hilling; the planner does not add that access automatically.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Radish3 × 3 inSource range: 2–3 in1 × 18 inSmall-root types; larger radishes can need more space.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Spinach6 × 6 inSource range: 4–6 in2 × 24 inFinal plants; a baby-leaf harvesting approach has different spacing.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Summer squash48 × 48 inSource range: 36–48 in24 × 48 inLarge plants can extend outside a bed. The diagram does not model the canopy. The UGA row preset is for bush squash; check cultivar-specific spacing for vining types.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Tomato (supported)24 × 24 inSource range: 24, supported in36 × 48 inBlock spacing assumes a trellis or support. Provide support even if no shared trellis edge is marked.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Turnip6 × 6 inSource range: 4–6 in2 × 24 inFinal root spacing, not dense production for harvested greens.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022
Bush bean6 × 6 inSource range: 6 in4 × 36 inBlock spacing may need more attention to airflow; traditional rows use a different pattern.Block source · source reviewed September 2024
Row source · reviewed March 2022

Choose the method before the number

Traditional rows include a larger interval between rows. Blocks use close rows within a bed reached from outside. A square-foot grid is an organisational aid; it does not mean every crop fits within one square.

Once you have a suitable distance, calculate the actual positions or arrange several crops. For the differences between methods, read the spacing guide.