How to Size and Plan a Vegetable Garden

This video will give advice and principals for sizing a vegetable garden, and provide key points to layout a vegetable garden. Make sure you keep tall plants to the North of shorter plants to allow for Photosynthesis. And ensure you keep plants properly spaced as well as accounting for walkways.
Key Links
Engineering Graph Paper - really useful for any layout work from gardening to woodworking (affiliate link).
amzn.to/3scC3rM
My DIY Tomato Cages - low cost, strong, sturdy, and they store better than conventional cages
growitbuildit.com/diy-tomato-...
Vegetable Height and Spacing Guide
growitbuildit.com/vegetable-g...
Cliff Notes on planning/layout of a vegetable garden
growitbuildit.com/planning-a-...
Vegetable to Canning Guide
growitbuildit.com/vegetable-c...
Vegetable Plants Required per Person, or Square Foot Area Guide:
From Rutgers University
web.archive.org/web/201810250...
From Michigan State
www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/file...
Again, I would suggest that you use those Plants per person/square foot guides with caution if you are new. They are based on farm yields over time, and are averages. So, your garden will never produce exactly like these guide, but they do provide a decent estimate.
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[@george200099]

Pretty much one of the top four best gardening channels on the tube

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you!

[@priscilladavis7676]

Agreed

[@MA-em7ln]

Who are the other

[@ramz1455]

@@MA-em7ln one yard revolution & charles dowding.

[@brandyrupert6341]

This can get pretty overwhelming for a person like me who has only ever grown a few things in grow bags. Im in way too deep now. I started way too many plants. Im stressing over exactly how to lay them out. I should have started with a plan first. I guess Im just going to start transplanting and praying. 🙏 Theres soo much info on youtube. This video is actually helpful.

[@growitbuildit]

I'm glad I could help you out Brandy. And thank you for the kind words, as my goal is to make the whole process more accessible.

[@jdvibes57]

I’m a beginner gardener my name is John and your information has been some of the best I’ve seen and heard on KZbin I really appreciate the work and the effort that you put into your videos thank you very much I have six raised birdie garden beds that I’m starting this year wish me luck! Michigan

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - thank you John! I'm very happy you are enjoying my videos! Best of luck to your gardens! Keep it as natural as you can and you can save some cash along the way. Good luck!

[@Mischiou]

I love you for showing this. I was struggling to come up with a decent plan. Thank you...

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome - sometimes you just need to see it done once. Good luck this season!

[@shouldb.studying4670]

3 days of going down the rabbit hole on growing a vegetable patch and this has been the most useful video so far, thank you 😀

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - I'm glad I could help you out. Good luck!

[@vanityxaffaire]

Really appreciate the straight-forward, actionable advice! Keep up the great videos. As a recent home buyer this is really helpful to pre-plan what to do with our empty yard for next season.

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome! I try to keep the 'fluff' to a minimum.

[@VanDerLaars]

Don't really understand those two thumbs down. The video/content is great!

[@joshuagarner1654]

Accidentally taps?

[@jdvibes57]

Hey!! I love love love your composting video thank you!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you JD!

[@MommabearOfThree]

A lot of great information. Thank you for this video

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome!

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent. I'm glad I could help John!

[@nicford1486]

So helpful! I am planning my own garden this year. Great details and hints that will help tremendously to someone new at this.

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - I'm glad I could help you out Nic!

[@makayladonigan5988]

Love the videos thank you so much for making it simple

[@growitbuildit]

You are welcome! I'm happy you are enjoying them Makayla. And thank you for the kind words!

[@chiobhon]

I love your dedication to the metric system All the best Eben

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Eben. I can easily translate between the two because of my job. But temperature.....not very easy

[@kunyfunt]

I just made a 20x20 garden so glad I found this video

[@growitbuildit]

Glad I could help Robert. Good luck!

[@joselatorre1575]

excellent video!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Jose! Glad you found it helpful.

[@peoriatitan5172]

Very helpful. This is my first year doing an actual in ground garden. Have done a couple raised beds the past few years.

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - good luck Peoria!

[@michelep4340]

Thank you so much for this video. Because I tend to over plant, I was hoping to try out selling at the local farmers market this year. The links you provided are going to be very helpful.

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - thank you and best of luck Michele!

[@kimherbert9158]

Thank you!

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome - glad you found it helpful!

[@Katgirl2024]

Very helpful! I am known to get garden fever and then poop out because of the sheer work. This winter I will plan BETTER with your suggestions. Thank you!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Kathy - I think we've all taken on too much gardening work at some point! I've got to tell you - one of the absolute best time savers for me has been to put a really thick leaf-mulch layer on in the fall (6" min). I probably spend 2 hours or less weeding throughout the entire year because of the mulch.

[@sixro]

Thanks this is very helpful

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Roberto - good luck this season!

[@Clarinda787]

I love the look of your garden. Mine is spread out all over the place, a few plants here, there, and yonder. It works for me, with very little labor to keep it going. I'm in the south so many of my veggies are planted in guilds under trees to shade them during the heat of the day, otherwise they would burn up mid-summer.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Kitty - I'm envious of your longer growing season down in the South!

[@hudson8865]

Thank you.

[@growitbuildit]

You're welcome!

[@greenthumbelina7331]

I plan on incorporating more vegetables into my flower gardens this year. I love how well flowers and vegetables grow together and complement each other in my small yard. I've already started planning where my raised beds are going and where the walkways will be. I hope that 2021 is a better year for all of us. Stay safe and healthy.

[@growitbuildit]

I generally keep the veggies separate. But we did have some 'ornamental' gourds show up in the front, and we got a lot of nice fall decorations from them! But this year we also had a volunteer cantaloupe show up in a flower bed (that is 25-50 yards from the veggie garden). Good luck in 2021!

[@greenthumbelina7331]

@@growitbuildit Mother Nature always finds a way to plant things for you, where ever, and they seem to thrive and grow.

[@barbarazuazua3927]

Loosely quoting you: "You need experience, you need to earn it." I made a garden in 2020 for the first time. I wasn't prepared for all the animals that are hungry and losing habitat. This year the habitat is even smaller due to even more development and I'm building an enclosure. I learned a lot my first year, and, more importantly, I need to be mindful of how much I plan to do. I'm making space to grow as a gardener but I won't use all that space right away. I'm hoping I make the space correct for the future but not to have eyes bigger than my stomach.... as you said, like my grandfather used to say. ;) Thanks for an informative video. I subscribed for more.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Barbara! I agree with your Grandfather. Good luck this season!

[@ronallens6204]

U can always feed the excess to the locals and critters, or the local soup kitchen, thrift store (they are not allowed to sell but tthe needy will appreciate it) or a local church... food is always in demand... can setup an honor stand where people pay what they can afford...

[@RayRay-dr7og]

Nice--I'm just getting my garden going again after a 3 year gap--between a water line replacement and a new fence--well my new garden i'm trying something different it's 5 foot wide by 30 foot long--we'll see how it goes! Great info!

[@growitbuildit]

That sounds like an interesting garden Ray - I'm guessing you don't live under much deer /rabbit pressure. I need to have mine fenced!

[@RayRay-dr7og]

@@growitbuildit I’ll have a small fence to keep the dogs out, but I have a perimeter fence around the property already, I’m lucky enough to have peregrines around to keep the small critters at bay, rabbits and squirrels last about 7 to 10 days and the falcons get them. The idea, was to be able to reach into the garden from the outside without getting in it. If it doesn’t work, I’ll do another garden of similar size, but leave a pathway around it, with taller fence-over the years deer got me once and they completely destroyed the garden in one evening-it was like they had a party.

[@lar113]

Planning is the key to a successful garden. I have a 14x21 garden, and I opted for the intensive gardening method to increase my yield. For example, if a seed is to be planted 2 inches apart in rows 6 inches apart, I plant 3 to 4 rows 2 or so inches apart in those 6 inches. I also use plots instead of individual rows. I have 3 main plots 4 feet wide and 11 feet long. A path that goes around 3 sides of the inside perimeter of the garden and 2 paths between the plots. One thing to remember is, don't be afraid to change your design from year to year. Think of a plan that works for you and what you are growing.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Lar - I couldn't agree more. And this will be the first year that I don't change my layout much. But I've had peas and other random species over the years. I like your idea of plots - it sounds pretty convenient.

[@kenclarke9797]

Could you post a sketch of your plots ad walkways?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Ken - I actually have an image of the sketch at our article. It's about half-way down the page. growitbuildit.com/planning-a-vegetable-garden/

[@kays3561]

Good tips ! Question, When you advise perpendicular to the slope (I apologize, new to gardening and a little unsure ) do you mean if you have a north to south slope your vegetable row should be laid out east to west? My understanding that right?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Kristen - yes, this is correct.

[@kays3561]

@@growitbuildit Thank you.

[@michelleh4098]

Hi. Could you suggest some veggies a novice grower like myself could get their feet wet (so to speak) using a 2' x 4' elevated garden bed? Thanks.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Michelle - You can't go wrong with cherry tomatoes - one plant is all you need. They produce lots of fruit. I grow a variety called yellow pear that is outstanding. Also, maybe try growing some lettuce varieties. You will be able to eat it early, and for a decent amount of time.

[@mindibaum3605]

Is there anything you can spray for weeds on a garden?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Mindi - I've never sprayed herbicide on my gardens. You may want to call your local county ag extension office on that topic.

[@samsdaughterdehaven9990]

We had cows for 3 years and just got rid of them. The last of the cows were on a back lot of about 4 acres. Our front lot is about 1/3 acre and our property is where the water runs off and through from the road and everyone uphill from us. The cows have been off this spot for about 9 months to 1 year. We have to manage the water directions but, we plowed and are planting in the high spot. How safe is that?? I would sort of considered it aged manure. The heavy manure areas are away from the garden area (also 'older' manure, but deep) We are in the process of removing the excess manure and removing it to a back area. I told my husband I don't want to eat the vegs!! I am putting up old 3x5 galvanized troughs/~30 inches high and 1/4 inch thick for me, since I am almost 68. Had to have a welder remove most of the bottoms so they could drain good. I'll put old wood, trigs, leaves, etc in the bottom part of my troughs and fill with good soil. The other 4-5 acres I am putting in native plants/trees, etc. That will take me awhile! Should I plow big 'drifts' in fall and seed? I've been putting trees in everywhere possible! I want to live to see some of the fruit of my labor! I thank God for every tree and plant that survives and takes off! Our veg lot is direct sun.

[@growitbuildit]

In regards to the aged manure, I've never used it before. Although I think you would be ok. But have a look at the USDA guidelines here - www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/soil-building-manures-composts I think as long as you follow the time requirements from the USDA, you should be ok. For adding native plants & such, if you just plow everything up and seed, you will get germination. But it is likely that there will be a large number of invasive that sprout too. I think it could work, but you will likely need to mow a few times to keep the invasives down that first year. That way the native perennials can get established better. You may want to contact Ernst Seed. They are a company that designs seed mixes based on your location. Very knowledgeable and very experienced. Here is a link to their site (no affiliation) www.ernstseed.com/

[@Daniyahmom]

How do I determine what is north or south side?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Felecia - if you look at your house from satellite view in google earth, generally North will point "up" on the map (on a desktop computer). Also, at noon, you can go outside and look where the sun is. That is the South side.

[@waltofalltrades6817]

Trying to decide between 8x12 vs 8x16... Probably shouldn't take on too much as this is our first year of real gardening. We had tomatoes in pots last year that didn't do very well, but no prior experience. One row of tomatoes, one row of potatoes and a row of beans. Should the tomatoes be planted on the north side? I heard they can get pretty tall.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Walt - if you are fencing it, then I would go 8x16. The effort to increase the size later makes 8x16 a logical size, plus the total length of fence needed is 48. Just make sure you measure posts right so you don't run out of fence. But as far as tomatoes, they can grow pretty large. If you use cages that are 4' tall, then that is how 'tall' they will get. But beans can get 5-8' depending on how you trellis it, and the same with peas. But you are correct in that the tallest veggies need to be placed on the North to avoid shading out other vegetables.

[@waltofalltrades6817]

@@growitbuildit Thanks, that helps a lot. I need to look more into beans. I'll probably put the beans in the middle row and the tomatoes in the northern row. I've seen tomatoes get 7' tall on the channel "How To with Doc" before. Plus the beans are more important to me than the tomatoes. I don't plan on fencing it in, but I'm thinking 8x16. I do like a bit of a challenge.

[@Sandraivonnedesigns]

I have 20x24 space!

[@growitbuildit]

That is perfect Sandra!

[@va5307]

Hello! Can someone explain how much is a 15 feet of row of tomatoes? And the first link for the sqf per person doesn’t work anymore. But it doesn’t really matter.

[@growitbuildit]

Fixed the link to an archived version. Thank you. A 15' row of tomatoes would typically six plants spaced 3' apart.

[@va5307]

@@growitbuildit thank you

[@mikedee4399]

Thank you very much for taking the time to make this video. I have been looking for this exact video. The video titles said they were for outlining or helping beginners.Tried last year and I was told I didn't replant some of them deep enough plus I had some birds eating some squirrels and before I had something eating the leaves if have any tips on how to keep pesky animals out and I guess bugs eating my plants really appreciate the video best one I've seen definitely going to subscribe

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Mike - I'm glad you found it helpful. Regarding birds/squirrels, and rabbits....for rabbits a simple fence will do wonders. See this video, I have a section showing my fence. I can't explain why, but it has kept rabbits out and even deer. Although I think the deer are just eating things in the forest, and my fence just makes it just inconvenient enough to where they leave the vegetable plants alone. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6usnYFnqtCihNE Also, for another repellent that works is something called liquid fence. You need to follow the directions, but it will keep animals from eating the leaves of the plants. This would obviously work better on tomato and pepper plants where you can spray the leaves and avoid the fruit. You probably wouldn't want to spray directly on anything you plan to eat, so not on a tomato, for example. But you could make a perimeter around the garden and spray some of the plants, which would most likely help.

[@dcyphyr]

Your links don't work and your volume is too low. Other than that, great info!

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Rion - thank you for telling me. I'm improving the volume of my newer videos. Could you tell me what link wasn't working for you? I just tested them and they are all working for me.

[@joshuagarner1654]

Go big or go home

[@abraham3901]

Thank you.

[@growitbuildit]

You are welcome Abraham