Recommended plan
160 sq ft
Quick reference for raised beds, borders, and edible yards
Sketch a smarter garden before the first seed packet opens.
Use the planner to translate your available space, sunlight, and favorite plant groups into a simple layout direction. It suggests bed counts, path widths, companion planting notes, and spacing reminders so a small backyard, side yard, patio strip, or sunny corner can become a garden with less guesswork.
Sample 12 × 8 ft kitchen plot
Herbs
Greens
24 in path
Roots
Tomatoes
Pollinator edge
Interactive planning card
Build a first-pass layout
Enter the size of the growing area, choose the light level, and select the plants you care about most. The tool stays in the browser and makes no network calls.
Quick spacing card
Common spacing rules worth keeping nearby
Exact spacing depends on variety and climate, but these garden-design ranges help avoid crowded beds and blocked paths during early layout work.
Lettuce, kale, spinach
Use 6–18 inches between plants. Place taller kale north of low greens where possible.
Tomato, pepper, cucumber
Allow 18–36 inches plus support access. Keep trellises where they will not shade smaller crops.
Carrot, beet, radish
Plan fine, even rows. Loose soil depth matters more than a wide footprint.
Basil, thyme, parsley
Cluster near paths or the kitchen door so harvesting is easy and frequent.
A practical layout method
Design from access, light, and mature plant size.
Begin by drawing the outer boundary and any fixed features: fences, hose bibs, trees, patios, sheds, and slopes. Mark the sunniest side, then reserve comfortable paths before placing plants. Most home garden layouts fail because the plants fit on paper, but the gardener cannot reach, water, prune, or harvest them once growth fills in.
For raised beds, keep bed width near four feet when accessible from both sides, or closer to two feet against a fence. For rows, avoid making paths so narrow that a watering can, wheelbarrow, or kneeling pad becomes awkward. For mixed borders, repeat plant textures and heights instead of scattering single plants everywhere.
- Measure: confirm length, width, and obstacles.
- Reserve paths: 18 inches minimum, 24–36 inches for comfort.
- Place anchors: trellises, shrubs, and tall crops first.
- Group needs: match watering, soil, and sun preferences.
- Leave room: design for mature growth, not seedling size.
Garden layout notes
Small choices that make a garden easier to keep
What is the best shape for a small vegetable garden?
Rectangles are easiest to divide into beds and paths, but L-shaped and border gardens can work well when access is planned first.
Should flowers be included in an edible garden?
Yes. Pollinator flowers and aromatic herbs can improve habitat, soften edges, and make the garden feel intentional.
How much path space is enough?
Use at least 18 inches for foot traffic. Choose 24–36 inches where tools, baskets, or wheelbarrows need to pass.