What is Square Foot Gardening?

Square Foot Gardening (SFG) is a planting method that divides a raised bed into 1-foot squares and assigns each plant type a specific number of plants per square foot based on its mature size. It was popularized by Mel Bartholomew and maximizes yield in small spaces.

How many plants fit per square foot?

It depends on the plant. Large plants like tomatoes, peppers, and broccoli get 1 per square foot. Medium plants like lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard get 4. Small plants like beets and parsley get 9. Tiny plants like radishes and carrots get 16 per square foot.

Does this work for non-square raised beds?

Yes. Enter any rectangular length and width. The tool calculates the total square footage and applies the SFG spacing formula to give you an accurate plant count.

Can I use meters instead of feet?

Yes. Toggle the unit selector to meters and enter your dimensions. The calculator converts to square feet internally for the SFG formula, then displays results in both units.

What if my plant is not in the list?

Use the custom spacing option at the bottom of the plant list. Enter the per-square-foot plant count from a seed packet or planting guide, and the calculator applies it to your bed dimensions.

Should I leave space around the bed edges?

For most raised beds you plant right to the edges since there is no foot traffic through the bed. The SFG method accounts for this — it is designed for beds you can reach across (typically 4 feet wide maximum).

Raised Bed Plant Count Calculator

Name: Raised Bed Plant Count Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter your raised bed dimensions, pick a plant, and instantly see how many fit using Square Foot Gardening spacing rules.

Bed & Plant Settings

Unit

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Plant

Enter your bed dimensions and select a plant, then click Calculate Plant Count.

Summary