Spacing Guide for High Density Planting & Maximum Productivity

[@notarivsanonymvs2561]

I have 9 zucchini plants in a 5x5 raised bed. I placed tomato cages upside down and directed the leaves upward into the cage as it grows. This allowed me to maximize my space. My neighbors and friends laughed at me. Now my neighbors do the same. Lol.

[@heathers9275]

What's your spacing between for 9 in 5x5?

[@carlabuggs1238]

I am going to try that this year!

[@GooshawnXD]

Omg I always use the tomato cage and never thought to do it upside-down! Major face palm haha. Thanks for the tip!!

[@joepa6106]

Trying this !!!!

[@WinsomeWinslet]

I can attest to his broccoli spacing in a high density setting. In a small 4'x4' raised bed, I planted one broccoli plant every square foot so there are 16 plants. Then in between each square of plants, I planted banana pepper plants and perennial oregano as a ground cover under all of that. We've harvested two rounds of broccoli so far and some peppers as well as oregano. That's a total of 25 plants in just 16 sq ft. The really neat thing is that once the broccoli is done, there will still be four heat loving pepper plants in the bed along with five oregano plants which keeps the ground moist for the peppers.

[@sallynielsen3483]

OMG I never knew this was how spacing was done. I always thought that was way to much space between plants. never knew it was on center. Thank you so much!

[@amberb4495]

Thanks for your videos! I am a second-year gardener and a mommy of 4, following your guidance I currently have a successful garden including a green bed that feeds us daily and never runs low. Your videos shape the way I garden and give encouragement. Your material is vast but is presented in a simple manner. Cannot say enough good!... sincerely, thanks!!!

[@brittanimscott]

I personally love all the talking. He's just chillen and offering wonderful advice. I, for one, immensely appreciate it! This has definitely become my "go to" channel this growing season. THANK YOU MIfamily! Don't change a thing ;)

[@judycarlin2428]

Last year I took Luke's advice and really thinned my zucchini's leaves; wow, what a difference! I could have planted more zucchini plants, well, I know now :)

[@annaczech7980]

Yes me too. I live the way explain things especially for bigginers like me. Some of the people who judge him and think they know better they need to keep scrolling or do they own thing.

[@annaczech7980]

@@judycarlin2428 I meant to say I love the way he explained everything

[@carter394able]

Agreed!

[@sidhantkhatri9901]

I have a very small garden and I never thought I'd be able to grow my own food, but watching this video, I realised that I most definitely can! Thank you for the information!

[@rox-annenissen5779]

The good ol days when I gardened in MI...now I live in Butte, MT....4 years of experimental gardening...then last year discovered straw gardening....now I found YOU.....thank you. you make so much sense.

[@ingekaivola4685]

As a new gardener, I watched my experienced mother-in-law planting green beans in a traditional row garden. She was "breaking the rules", not following the instructions on the seed packet, planting them way too close (like, a quarter inch, if that) and she got great yields in her clay soil. I followed "the rules" and my yields were not near as good.

[@kevinm8865]

Yup. I crowd my peppers and tomatoes and have great success. It's nature, plants want to grow. If you keep them fed and hydrated, they don't have to fight over nutrition.

[@BLHomestead]

I plant very close to each other. It's not a loss. If it looks to be crowded, just thin them out and plant them elsewhere. It's not a situation of once and done. As they grow you can pull and replant accordingly. It can also give you a chance to help others by giving them a start for their own gardens. Great info sir, your beds are looking great. I got a late start this year.

[@danadahlke6943]

I'm new to raised beds and square foot gardening, so your videos on start to finish growing series has been a huge help. Knowing that I can plant a little closer together, and get more yield from limited space.

[@bclizard67]

Awesome video! I thought I was planting too densely but now thanks to you I know I was close to the right spacing. Keep up the good work producing great videos!

[@tanyagray9097]

Been studying this one hard and taking notes. Going to implement this in my garden this year and can't wait to see the results! Thanks as always, Luke!

[@Shadowlan2082]

I had NO idea what 'on center planting' was, you literally just saved me so much space in my garden. I even paused this video to run out and fill in my garden beds more before I lost the sun. Thankfully where we live I can scatter my planting times more so I have revolving harvests of certain crops. Every video i learn so much from you! Thank you endlessly from my family and our growing homestead.

[@fire7side]

I agree with your spacing, but I'm pretty sure 2 feet on center means each plant is two feet from the next one. If you picture the stem as the center of the plant, which is round, then the distance is from stem to stem, or center to center. They just tend to recommend a wider spacing than necessary for some reason. They don't want the plants to touch each other, but that's actually better for the reasons you describe.

[@dillonfour70]

Totally agree with fire7side

[@freewaybaby]

Me too!

[@JerryA92656]

Agreed.

[@lmjpilgrim2]

Yep!

[@MIgardener]

2 feet would mean 1 foot on center, 4 feet would be 2 feet on center. If I said something wrong here it was only out of haste. Hopefully you got the point though.

[@kristengeisler1509]

This is my favorite video you have done so far. I planted our lettuce according to your high-density spacing last spring and it resulted in the best lettuce crop I have ever had. I can’t wait to try this next year. I have great ambitions for this next summer. Thanks for the video.

[@Jennifermwb]

I have 5 zucchini plants in a 4x4 bed....and people thought I was crazy. lol They grow JUST FINE. We get great production and there is no wasted space.

[@Trivit30]

Wow I’m gonna try lol

[@jacobeksor6088]

Nice

[@joshualawson7604]

Do you have them on a trellis?

[@shalonamaranth]

@@joshualawson7604 zucchini is a bushing squash. It doesn't really work on a trellis. Most of your summer squash don't. But winter vining squashes work great on trellises. Pumpkins were my favorite last year because they grew like 70 ft of Vine all up and down my trellis.

[@barnhartandsontreeservice965]

Jennifermwb i’m actually a first time grower and was going to do some zucchini I was thinking I was going to need like a 10 x 10 but I’m definitely going smaller now

[@maisonarness2685]

I buy and read a ton of books are homestead/garden. I think- if you wrote a book, it’d be one of the best selling gardening books. You truly have everyone’s best interest at heart with yielding the most crops with small space.

[@benjaminrockwell7107]

So glad you are who you are. Especially now. I didn't take action the first time I saw your videos. I was to busy working and making money. I new I was doing to wrong thing. Not anymore. Thanks for doing what you did. Your humble style of life is going to benefit a lot of stressed out people. I'm going to try to be a lot more like you going forward. Thanks again I pray you get rich being yourself.

[@trailwomanrc]

Can't argue results. But......As a designer and builder, on center means from center to center. Not planting in the center of the span. I.E. because 2x4s are not uniform size, walls are framed 16" on center, or a stud's center is spaced 16" from the next stud's center.

[@haiyinggan9588]

I live on the east of MI. This idea makes so much sense. I'm doing beets, kale, pole beans, chards, carrots, and more in my backyard garden with this idea. I'm sure we will get so much more this year. Will update later. Thank you for sharing the idea. So glad we can grow more and give what we can't eat to people in our community. Keep up the good channel and thank you!

[@jacksoner8053]

I have no problem planting high density, I always get carried away and plant everything that I can with no wasted space hah. The swiss chard is great, we have had four meals already just from four plants. If it were not for your videos, I would have never known about it.

[@bubbles8851]

OMG YES!!! I'm only working with 350 sq ft. After reading the packets I was starting to worry, this makes so much more sense.

[@lukeleach9237]

Luke is off his rocker. That broccoli and cabbage is wild. Absolute mad lad. Love it

[@stevecook6505]

I've been inspired. I built my first raised garden bed yesterday. More to follow. My wife is already making plans. Thank you.

[@sarahclark413]

These videos are awesome! One thing I would love is a video where you actually show how you put the seeds in the ground, and the actual amount of seeds, I’m a very visual learner, thanks bud!!!

[@courtneycullen6289]

For flower lovers, I have a long 3.5-4 foot bed with mostly really old roses (4 were my great grandmothers). I interplant indeterminates or cherry tomatoes between them. And then cuccession sew underneath and in front of them, which widely varies from lettuce to flowers to herbs to root crops. I have dug in root watering systems from the tops of soda bottles, water bottles and milk bottles. A few are still there from when my Papa planted this way. And then between a high story rose bush I plant pepers or cucumbers. It's a very narrow bed that is mostly full sun. But it produces from mid March to November. As far as I know, it hasn't been tilled since the 70s?? Tons of compost and banana and worm casting food. Trying to recreate that in other beds. where I have other huge flower populations.

[@Metroshica]

I always thought the packet instructions were "wrong" this whole time and I always just halved the distances. Turns out I was right this whole time! Also, I just want to say that I love your passion for gardening. It really shows through in every video you make. Keep it up!

[@willowwindsong]

I'm planting in the dream garden ( 100 year old farm garden full of asparagus, with full sun, tiller on hand and a clean, deep well 10 ft off ) and your channel is helping me like crazy because the thing is... I've never gardened before! Needed this video

[@christinedavis3417]

I have always planted on center since I learned Organic intensive planting. It really helped in my small garden! It does wind up sometimes looking like a jungle, but it is all healthy and produces abundantly.

[@Simnettnutrition]

Made my first garden box this season and your channel has been my go-to for reference and help. Thank you!

[@cut--]

Same here. Getting ready to plant this weekend and would have made mistakes without this vid.

[@unfadingbus]

Simnett I love you! You are such a great inspiration! :D -A fellow vegan that does calisthenics

[@unfadingbus]

+Fatalsprigs if you watch any of his videos, you will realize how awesome, upbeat, and positive he is. He is just very into fitness and health.

[@americaneden3090]

shame on u

[@xxpowwowbluexx]

Hey, it’s Derek!!! 😃🥬🥦🍇🍎🍋 How did your garden turn out 2 years ago? This is my first year gardening. Exciting!!

[@winkwink161]

I watch this video every year when planning my garden to make sure I get it right!

[@Phil-nw1cc]

I was just looking at my cabbage this morning thinking I could've probably planted them closer. I have a small 10ft/20ft garden so I try to get things as close as possible. Been seeing and hearing you talk about your high density method and I'm realizing I can go closer than I thought.

[@nikolelambert8165]

I always add your videos to my playlist. I moved late in the season, so I will start fresh next year with the help of your tips.Thank you for all that you do!

[@Ginger_McElfresh_Art]

Agree! A high density planting play list would be AMAZING!!! TFS!

[@bekkiyoung8514]

Huh, all this time I just thought I was the plant whisperer, rebelling against the labels. Another great video thanks :)

[@eydnamortensen5985]

Really love all your videos. As a new gardener I am learning a ton. And I need all the help I can get. I grew up in a third floor apartment in Copenhagen surrounded by asphalt and concrete. I still can't differentiate between weeds and normal plants, but I am learning slowly. Last year I was sick with pneumonia for 8 weeks and my garden was a jungle of weeds when I came back. It completely overwhelmed me and I actually thought about selling my lot. This year I'm determined to stay on top of everything. Thanks for making these videos and inspiring me to garden. Love from Denmark

[@marianreddy9848]

Thanks for this amazing advice always felt instinctively that seed packets were wrong, did start placing them a bit closer. My space is very limited so this makes a huge difference to my yield.

[@YouCantEatTheGrass]

I always stagger plant my garden, to get even more space. We space our tomatoes super tight, and they basically support each other. But we are crazy dry, and use drip irrigation to water, so we can get away with tighter spacing than people in wetter conditions.

[@trixiessalonct4501]

Thank you! I’m doing condensed raised beds for the first time garden ever!!!! I do have to thin them out a bit. I moved some tomatoes to pots to create more space .

[@TheModernCanary]

Thanks for such a valuable lesson! You inspire me so much. I found your channel after I planted my first garden last June. You inspired me to plant a fall garden which totally overwintered and is starting to take off. Now I'm busy planning planting a community garden lot (my home is very shaded) and find this soooo valuable!

[@gianna5869]

funny i found this video using this method i never follow spacing guides and always overseed . but for me it is to prevent failure , thinking if i use more seeds in area something is bound to germinate and grow and if it is cluttered i could thin out if needed. Most everything i do is trial and error. It helps to have videos like this to guide you into being a more confident gardner.

[@marlenewebster7095]

I wish you'd include the dense spacing in your getting guides

[@chasinglife43]

I think as gardeners, especially when we are less experienced, we tend to try to do everything the "right way" and do evening totally by the book. As we grow 😉 in gardening, we learn a whole lot. I've learned from good old trial and error but also sometimes from trying something new due to lack of space or not wanting to be wasteful and sometimes just out of plain desperation. Often I've found new ways of doing things that work better than the "right way". One of many great things about this channel is that we learn new techniques but we are also able to see the outcome which is very helpful and just really cool to see! Thank you so much Luke for sharing your hard earned wisdom and tips with gardeners that are still learning. Aren't we all still learning though?!

[@queenofpixels5458]

I loved this - I have a limited garden space and between this video and the one on companion planting I am going to get so much more out of my garden.

[@JohnHenrySheridan]

Thank you Luke !

[@lindalauzon234]

You are my favourite UTube gardener. I have several tiny flowers gardens at home but a nice plot at a community garden. All veggies there. Marigolds only to keep out the pests. Thank you so much for your videos.

[@shadytreez]

Yea for high density. I am glad you covered this. I had no idea 'on center' is what the seed packet was describing. In warmer climates you can over winter your plants. This year have a 2 year old pepper plant and 5 year old anise plant. Really good video.

[@marciabrumfield1400]

I am really glad to know why you can space things closer together. I have learned that from several great gardening experts, but they did not explain about the 'on center' thing. I think I will watch the video again once or twice. Thanks.

[@milkjugs4771]

oh my god this makes so much more sense. I just started gardening two years ago (yeah when covid hit and I had nothing to do). I thought I just had a small area, but turns out i've basically been reducing my yield by a little less than half because I was using the spacing on the back of the packet and assuming it wasn't on-center LOL

[@deedaw9246]

It's nice that you show your things that don't always go right. I tried onions and they did not grow a bulb. So I will try and grow them again at a different time of the year and see when is the best time to plant them where we live.

[@OurLadyFarms]

Please continue to do these with weekly updates on your garden or monthly and harvesting etc! So helpful!

[@gagesmokes4116]

Thank you for this video. I always felt weird planting high density because it didn’t look like my friends gardens. Glad to know i’m not the only one using this method

[@mammothenterprises2921]

My question is why not list this spacing on the Migardener seed packages at least as an additional alternative. From what I can see the only space listed is the traditional ones.

[@agood1]

the point is that all seed packet spacing guides MEAN on center/radius

[@rhuffstedtler]

Better solution - print a planting diagram on the back that drives people to use the high intensity spacing.

[@LaurieChistine]

What you said about applying the info to the next year is so true. Here I am watching this video in January of 2019. I've always enjoyed gardening but this is the first year I'm actually taking gardening seriously to replace some of the cost of my grocery bill and I only have an approximately 100 square foot patio to grow on so everything will be in planter boxes and smart pots. This video helps me to understand how to plant to get a better yield on the items I am growing. Thank you from another Southeastern Michigan gardener.

[@geminicancercusp4072]

I really enjoy watching your videos more so than a lot of the other KZbin content it’s based on your opinion your knowledge no-frills just basic honest talking as if we were sitting together face-to-face thank you so very much for deciding to share your knowledge with all of us around the world!

[@dr.javitamckinney8880]

EXCELLENT JOB!! ALL OF THE VIDEOS ARE JUST FUN AND INFORMATIVE AND SURELY ENCOURAGING. THE FLORIDA WEATHER IS AND ALL YEAR QUESTION OF WHEN TO PLANT AND WHEN TO HARVEST...JUST GROWS EVERYTHING...SO THANKS!!

[@macktonight9511]

luke my buddy, i have been using this method since you posted this video, and it had quadrupled my food stores...thank you.

[@cynthiagodfrey8603]

I loved the the explanation of how to space in deference to what the seed packet says. Brilliant. Thanks so much for the tip!

[@MrsIceT]

I'm planting my first garden this year (though I think I may have started a bit late) and have learned A TON from you guys. Thank you so much! I would love to see more about how you plan your garden layout, specifically, how to decide what to plant where and what can be planted together. Thank you!

[@shadowkitten7914]

Thank you for your videos. I am on my second year growing. Honestly I have learned more from your video in two days then have in the two years I have been reading resources. They are filled with easy to understand useful information!

[@sarahdonaldson6041]

Dang, that spacing "on center" is trippy! Never heard this before.

[@johnrobinson9382]

I have been looking at my boxes and the spaces between my plants and kept thinking I had so much empty space. This explains it, great video.

[@HappyHoney41]

I plant root vegetables in the spaces around above ground plants. I plant close, and harvest every other plant early; and that frees up room for the ones around them to get larger. It's a mess, but it works for me.

[@rickytorres9089]

Thank you so much for explaining "on center" measures that seed packets don't even advise you of. Makes especially 1.5 feet (or more) spacing (yes they exists) MUCH more reasonable without LOSING yields.

[@stephengardin2423]

I've always triangulated the plantings of the majority of my garden. I have also experimented with spiral planting which maximises soil usage and mimics what normally happens in nature with varying success. I find with bulbous vegetables, especially, that a little crowding doesn't hurt but actually helps them grow better.

[@mjkfield]

Thank you! I love your videos. I’m a newbie to veggie gardening, 2020 will be my second season. This is such a big help!

[@litebkt]

Thanks for the suggestion to plant cabbage in the broccoli patch! Big real estate savings for me with only five beds.

[@clashingtom2582]

I just "Johnny Appleseeded" my leaf lettuce and it has been growing great so far in this Southeast Michigan weather... I have a 4×3 area growing like crazy! You can't even see the soil when spreading lol... but my Kale... Didn't do good at all with that style of planting. I didn't realize the difference in families but now I know, and thanks to this video from you, I know what to do next time around... Thanks man!

[@paparomesoutdoors711]

Excellent guide and video well done!!!

[@PharmSilver]

Garden looks terrific. Especially the greens. Wow.

[@GenetryHomestead]

I am so glad I watched this. It will definitely help me with my tomatoes, peppers and zucchinis this year.

[@larryadams458]

At about the 3:38 mark, it broke through my thick skull and made sense. It also, pretty much immediately, expanded by 33% how much I can grow in a very small space.

[@JohnDoe_88]

Very informative to see/hear a walk through of your methods. I agree plant as close as possible, my lasagna method wood chip garden is thriving with a sea of green.

[@yvonnethornton1433]

I do high intensity gardening, but didn't know about the cabbage and broccoli before. Thank you very much.

[@wongles]

MIgardener: twice as few, two times less Everyone else: half

[@ryano2714]

Hahaha! That's so true. All part of his charm though.

[@adambartel8037]

He’s paid to grow, not to math.

[@shalonamaranth]

@@adambartel8037 not to SPEAK mathese you mean. He clearly maths ok.

[@shalonamaranth]

I take it back. I saw his video on how many plants you need to feed on person for a year. And he said there are 12 sq inches in a SQ foot... He doesn't always math correctly.

[@masamune2823]

should actually be 4 times as much, 1/4 less if you're growing in anything other than a single line

[@saintinlower48]

I'm so glad I listened to Luke before planting! I'm going to make enough blunders that I'm glad this is one less one that I will make.

[@ariannam.hawkes1503]

I loved your bit on intercropping. No i know a bit more than i did before, like i didn't know which plants like to grow next to each other due their feeding habits

[@johnm2876]

Brand new to gardening. Thank you for all your help!

[@pennyw5050]

Luke I found you mid season 2019 and have many things I am going to try 2020! Thanks to you and your family for making gardening fun and successful. I love the community you have created for people everywhere to share in.

[@dannydabbles2511]

so are the MI Gardener seed packs labeled traditionally where we need to divide the spacing in half or do we actually just follow what your seed packs say?

[@brandonmoore5621]

Thank you so much for this video! The tip on suggested planting space is invaluable! Our garden is already in the ground this year but I can't wait to see how much more we can grow next year!

[@jmas2312]

Hey, Luke. Thanks for this one. I'm trying to ,again, maximize my space this year. Also, you might consider adding some videos about the temperatures different plants like. I'v been researching the heat problems because the last few years we have had no spring. A few weeks ago we were complaining about freezing, and yesterday it hit 95 degrees. I've seen several videos about the sweet spot for tomatoes to bloom and last year it was way too hot and my cabbage bolted before I got what I wanted. These issues are, no doubt, the reason many gardeners have various problems including blooming, bolting, germination (outdoors) etc. Just a thought. Have a great summer.

[@buckbeaksgarden761]

I love this because my home in the city has limited space. I cram all sorts of plants in the garden!

[@Navigatingmotherhood]

Love the point you made about the broccoli canopy layer over the cabbage! Will do this next season.

[@yellothere5552]

Minecraft Gardner I also plant diagonally..it's great for peas n carrots radish..you can always eat more xx thanks for your guides n tips.love the cheaters way n gardening xxxx

[@nicoleworthylake2047]

Mind blown!! I have always been doing the recommended space between each. On-center will mean more veggies for us this year. Thank You!!!!

[@jhope1923]

To your point. Does nature follow a seed pack? Nope. Simply grows where it feels like, and probably grows more vigorously that what we can manage.

[@chasinglife43]

Jason Hope Well said and great point!

[@yellowbird5411]

As I was looking at the pepper plants, I saw a lot of bare ground that could probably accommodate short-season crops like radishes, baby carrots, etc., and when the peppers needed the space, the carrots or radishes could be pulled to give it to them. Otherwise it seems like time also will limit crops, as you look at bare ground for two months waiting for the plants to get bigger.

[@danielsalach1234]

Nice I did nothing and my garden is twice as big you got to love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ThePowerWithinOnline]

I love your videos!! The concept of high density gardening is a game changer for me. I'm so excited to go add in more plants ON CENTER!! Woo hoo!

[@peggyruggles3754]

I have learned so very much from your videos! I have been gardening for a long time and never knew about how to properly space plants. What a revelation! I am also going to do the core gardening method which I am very excited about. I just bought your trifecta + fertilizer and will now buy all my seeds from your website. I need to pause my binge watching your videos and get out in the garden. LOL

[@jeanninemorgan3526]

Thank you for making spacing so clear!

[@peterrissel19]

Love the high density series, please please make a separate playlist for this series

[@shayHagan2010]

This is such great information for someone start out in raised beds or trying out sq Ft gardening! Love watching your videos!

[@erdiaz13]

The broccoli and cabbage bed is amazing! I can think of so many other things I can plant that way. Thank you!

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Love this video. I do permanent field beds (4x50'') & never follow seed spacing info. Onion (& other bulb/root plants) in clusters of 3. Also do tomato & peppers 3 plants wide (150 per bed) I've got constant air flow, so it works for me.

[@cfxsaving9190]

love your take on the spacing.

[@friendlyfoodforest8033]

We are doing a similar planting with broccoli, carrots, and onions! Liked the video literally.

[@beckyobrien7452]

I've heard of "on center" spacing in seeds before, but your explanation is different from what I expected it to mean (essentially "on center" for studs). Thanks for clarifying.

[@derrick6571]

FYI, his explanation of 'on center' spacing is wrong and makes absolutely no sense. You are correct in thinking of it in terms of stud spacing... same concept. However, he is right that you can usually plant seeds closer together than the packet recommends.

[@jointheresistance2868]

Thanks! This video and the lettuce one has already helped my planting this year! Can you do more on high intensity container planting? That would be awesome for those of us trying to grow in the city or on a balcony.