Reference chart
Common spacing and seasonal notes for beginner-friendly vegetables and herbs.
| Crop | Spacing | Rows | Best sowing months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil Herb |
10 in | 12 in | Mar, Apr, May, Jun | Pinch often and keep warm; basil dislikes cold nights. |
| Beans, bush Vegetable |
6 in | 18 in | May, Jun, Jul | Direct sow after soil warms; plant a short succession every 2-3 weeks. |
| Beets Root |
4 in | 12 in | Mar, Apr, May, Aug | Each seed cluster can produce several seedlings; thin early. |
| Carrots Root |
3 in | 10 in | Mar, Apr, May, Jul, Aug | Direct sow in loose soil; keep the seedbed evenly moist. |
| Cilantro Herb |
6 in | 8 in | Mar, Apr, May, Aug, Sep | Best in cool weather; succession sow because it bolts quickly. |
| Cucumbers Vegetable |
12 in | 24 in | May, Jun | Trellis to save bed space and improve airflow. |
| Kale Leafy green |
12 in | 18 in | Mar, Apr, Jul, Aug | Harvest outer leaves first; cold weather improves flavor. |
| Lettuce, leaf Leafy green |
6 in | 10 in | Mar, Apr, May, Aug, Sep | Use partial shade in warm spells; sow small batches often. |
| Onions Allium |
4 in | 12 in | Feb, Mar, Apr | Spacing depends on whether you want scallions or full bulbs. |
| Peas Vegetable |
3 in | 18 in | Mar, Apr, Aug | Give climbing peas netting or a small trellis. |
| Peppers Fruit vegetable |
18 in | 24 in | Feb, Mar | Start indoors early; transplant only after nights stay warm. |
| Radishes Root |
2 in | 6 in | Mar, Apr, May, Aug, Sep | Fast crop for empty gaps; harvest before roots get woody. |
| Spinach Leafy green |
6 in | 12 in | Mar, Apr, Aug, Sep | Cool-season crop; bolts quickly in heat. |
| Tomatoes Fruit vegetable |
24 in | 30 in | Feb, Mar, Apr | Use cages or stakes; prune for airflow in tight beds. |
| Zucchini Fruit vegetable |
30 in | 36 in | May, Jun | One plant is usually enough for a small household. |
Raised beds often use closer spacing than traditional farm-style rows because gardeners can reach from the sides instead of walking between every row. The tradeoff is that overcrowding can reduce airflow, light, and harvest quality.