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Maximize your garden harvest with our planner calculator. Calculate optimal plant spacing, determine how many plants you can grow, and estimate your seasonal harvest yields for various vegetables.
Total Area: 80.0 sq ft
Tomatoes
16 plants • 24" spacing
320.0 lbs
~65 days
Lettuce
256 plants • 6" spacing
256.0 heads
~45 days
2 different crops
Successful gardening starts with proper planning—understanding your space, choosing appropriate plants, calculating proper spacing, and setting realistic yield expectations. Our garden planner calculator helps you maximize your growing space by determining how many plants fit in your garden area while maintaining proper spacing for healthy growth and optimal yields.
The calculator includes 16 common vegetables with their specific spacing requirements and expected yields. Proper spacing prevents overcrowding that leads to poor air circulation (disease risk), competition for nutrients, and reduced yields. However, space too far apart and you waste valuable growing space. We calculate plants based on a realistic 80% space utilization factor—accounting for paths, edges, and practical layout.
Square foot gardening and intensive planting methods maximize yields in small spaces. Vertical growing (tomatoes, cucumbers, beans) uses vertical space efficiently. Succession planting—planting small amounts every 2-3 weeks— provides continuous harvest rather than overwhelming gluts. Interplanting fast-growing crops (lettuce, radishes) between slower crops maximizes space usage.
Consider sunlight (most vegetables need 6-8 hours daily), water access, and soil quality when planning. Group plants with similar water needs together. Rotate crop families annually to prevent disease buildup and nutrient depletion. Our calculator provides expected harvest amounts to help plan preservation needs and prevent waste. Start smaller than you think—a well-maintained 100 sq ft garden outproduces a neglected 500 sq ft plot. Focus on quality over quantity, especially in your first seasons.
Slightly denser is okay for some crops (lettuce, carrots) if you're willing to thin or harvest early. However, significant overcrowding reduces yields, increases disease, and stresses plants. Better to plant properly spaced and use succession planting for continuous harvest.
Start with 50-100 square feet maximum. A well-maintained small garden outproduces a neglected large one. Focus on 3-5 easy crops (tomatoes, lettuce, beans, herbs) rather than growing everything. Expand in subsequent years as you gain experience and understand your capacity.
Timing depends on your climate zone and frost dates. Cool-season crops (lettuce, peas, broccoli) tolerate frost and start early spring or fall. Warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) need warm soil—plant after last frost date. Check local extension service for regional guidance.