Gardening
Vegetable Plant Population Calculator
Enter bed size and plant / row spacing to see how many plants fit.
How many plants in a bed?
Vegetable beds fill by spacing, not by vibes: count how many rows fit across the bed width at your row spacing, how many plants fit along the length at plant spacing, and multiply. Use the centimetres on the seed packet — crowding invites disease and stunted roots. Paths between beds are outside this count; measure only the planted area. Intensive square-foot layouts and staggered hexagonal patterns can fit more than a strict grid; this estimate is the simple rectangular grid. Fine-tune gaps with the plant spacing tool and bed footprints with garden area.
Worked example
A 4 × 1.2 m bed with 30 cm plant spacing and 40 cm row spacing fits floor(1.2/0.4) = 3 rows and floor(4/0.3) = 13 plants per row → 39 plants (about 8.1 plants per m²).
Limits and assumptions
Grid layout estimate. Ignores edge setbacks, trellis footprints and square-foot intensive packing. Packet spacing always wins if it differs.
Frequently asked questions
Row spacing vs plant spacing?
Plant spacing is along the row (seed to seed). Row spacing is between parallel rows across the bed width.
What if the packet gives a range?
Use the wider spacing for larger cultivars or poor soil; closer spacing only when the packet allows.
Do edges need a margin?
If you keep a hand-width clear of the boards, shorten the usable length/width before entering.
Can I transplant extras?
Yes — sow a few more than the grid count for losses, then pot on spares.