Tool
Square-foot spacing calculator
How many plants actually fit? Set your bed size and see plants-per-square-foot for 50 crops, each from real extension spacing.
Your bed size
| Crop | Spacing | Per sq ft | In your 16 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arugula | 6 in | 4 | 64 |
| Asparagus | 12 in | 1 | 16 |
| Basil | 6 in | 4 | 64 |
| Beet | 3 in | 16 | 256 |
| Blueberry | 36 in | 1 | 16 |
| Broccoli | 12 in | 1 | 16 |
| Brussels Sprouts | 12 in | 1 | 16 |
| Cabbage | 12 in | 1 | 16 |
| Cantaloupe | 18 in | 1 | 16 |
| Carrot | 2 in | 36 | 576 |
| Cauliflower | 12 in | 1 | 16 |
| Celery | 12 in | 1 | 16 |
| Collards | 6 in | 4 | 64 |
| Cucumber | 8 in | 1 | 16 |
| Daffodil | 3 in | 16 | 256 |
| Dill | 10 in | 1 | 16 |
| Eggplant | 18 in | 1 | 16 |
| English Lavender | 18 in | 1 | 16 |
| Garlic | 6 in | 4 | 64 |
| Green Bean (Snap Bean) | 2 in | 36 | 576 |
| Kale | 12 in | 1 | 16 |
| Leek | 4 in | 9 | 144 |
| Lettuce | 8 in | 1 | 16 |
| Marigold | 8 in | 1 | 16 |
| Okra | 9 in | 1 | 16 |
| Onion | 3 in | 16 | 256 |
| Parsley | 10 in | 1 | 16 |
| Parsnip | 3 in | 16 | 256 |
| Pea | 1 in | 144 | 2,304 |
| Pepper | 18 in | 1 | 16 |
| Petunia | 12 in | 1 | 16 |
| Potato | 10 in | 1 | 16 |
| Pumpkin | 36 in | 1 | 16 |
| Radish | 1 in | 144 | 2,304 |
| Raspberry | 24 in | 1 | 16 |
| Rhubarb | 36 in | 1 | 16 |
| Scallion (Green Onion) | 1 in | 144 | 2,304 |
| Spinach | 3 in | 16 | 256 |
| Strawberry | 18 in | 1 | 16 |
| Sunflower | 6 in | 4 | 64 |
| Sweet Corn | 8 in | 1 | 16 |
| Sweet Potato | 8 in | 1 | 16 |
| Swiss Chard | 6 in | 4 | 64 |
| Tomato | 24 in | 1 | 16 |
| Tulip | 4 in | 9 | 144 |
| Turnip | 3 in | 16 | 256 |
| Watermelon | 60 in | 1 | 16 |
| Winter Squash | 36 in | 1 | 16 |
| Zinnia | 8 in | 1 | 16 |
| Zucchini | 12 in | 1 | 16 |
Common questions
How do you calculate plants per square foot?
Square-foot gardening divides a bed into one-foot squares. The number of plants per square is the floor of 12 divided by the plant's in-row spacing, squared. A plant that needs 6 inches fits 4 per square; 4 inches fits 9; 3 inches fits 16; 12 inches fits 1.
Where does the spacing come from?
Each crop's spacing is taken from a named university extension publication and shown on its plant guide. We do not invent spacing figures.
Should I really plant that densely?
Square-foot spacing is intensive and works best with rich soil, steady water, and good sun. For sprawling crops like squash or melons, give them more room than the square-foot count suggests, or grow them vertically.