Plant spacing calculator

How it is worked out

• Plants stand the spacing you choose apart, and at least half a spacing in from the bed’s edge.
• Staggered rows set each row half a spacing along from the one before and bring the rows closer together, so every plant is the same distance from the six around it. Across a big bed that fits about 15% more plants.
• Square rows line the plants up both ways.
• Each plant is drawn at the width it grows to, so you can see whether the bed fills in or leaves mulch showing.
• The plants are a few from our library, from a foot wide to six. Pick the one nearest in size to yours.
• Mulch is the bed’s area times the depth you choose, in cubic yards as it is sold loose and in 2 cu ft bags.
• A raised bed stands in a frame of 2×6 boards, one course round it for every 5½ in of height, and its soil is the bed’s area times that height.
• Herbs, vegetables and fruit each have a calculator of their own below, set to the spacing that crop wants.

We set out and count the plants and spacing you pick, close enough to plan a weekend and a trip to the nursery. The plant’s tag and the place you live settle how far apart it wants to be.

Questions

How many plants do I need?

For square rows, divide the bed’s area by the spacing times itself. Staggered rows fit about 15% more. The count here is for the bed as drawn, with the plants kept half a spacing in from its edge.

How far apart should I plant?

About as far apart as the plant grows wide, and the bed fills in. Closer covers the ground sooner, and wider leaves room to walk between them.

How much mulch do I need?

The bed’s length times its width times the depth. A 3 in layer over 100 sq ft is 0.9 cu yd, or 13 bags of 2 cu ft.