Vegetable Spacing Guide

Different vegetable types need different amounts of free space to ensure healthy growth and a good crop. Use this chart to make sure your vegetable plants have room to grow.

Vegetable Spacing Guide
 Vegetable Inches between plants
Inches between rows
Depth of seed (inches)
 Artichoke, Globe  36-48  48-60  1-11/2
 Artichoke, Jerusalem  12-18  24-36  1-11/2
 Asparagus  12-18  36-48  1-2
 Beans, Broad
  8-10  36-48  1-11/2
 Beans, Dry
  4-6  18-24 1
 Beans, Lima
    bush
    pole
  
2-3
4-6
  
18-24
30-36
  
1-11/2
1-11/2
 Beans, Snap or Green
    bush
    pole
  
2-3
4-6
  
18-24
30-36
1-11/2
1-11/2
 Beets  2-3  12-18
  1
 Broccoli  3  24-36  1/2
 Brussels Sprouts  24  24-36  1/2
 Cabbage  18-24  24-36  1/2
 Cardoon  18-24  36-48  1/2
 Carrot  2-4  12-24  1/4
 Cauliflower  18-24  24-36  1/2
 Celeriac  6-8  24-30  1/4
 Celery  8-10  24-30  1/4
 Chard  9-12  18-24  1
 Chayote  24-30  60  
 Chick pea
  6-8  12-18  1/2
 Chicory  12-18  24-36  1
 Chinese Cabbage  8-12  18-30  1/2
 Collards  12  18-24  1/2
 Corn  2-4  12-18  1-11/2
 Cress  1-2  18-24   1/4
 Cucumber1, 2  12  18-72   1/2
 Dandelion  6-8  12-18   1/4
 Eggplant  18-24  24-36   1/4
 Endive  9-12  18-24   1/8
 Horseradish  24  18-24   1/4
 Kale  8-12  18-24   1/2
 Kohlrabi  5-6  18-24   1/4
 Leek  6-9  12-18   1/8
 Lettuce  6-12  12-18   1/8
 Muskmelon1, 2 18-24  60-96  1
 Mustard  6-12  12-24   1/2
 Okra 12-18  24-36   1/2-1
 Onion
    sets
    seeds
  
2-3
1-2
  
12-18
12-18
  
1-2
 1/4
 Parsnip  2-4  18-24   1/2
 Pea, Black-eyed  8-12  12-18   1/2
 Pea, Shelling
  1-2  18-24  2
 Peanut  6-8  12-18  1
 Pepper  18-24  24-36   1/2
 Potato, Irish  12-18  24-36  4
 Sweet Potato  12-18  36-48  3-5
 Pumpkin1, 3  24-48  60-120  1
 Radish  1-6  12-18   1/2
 Rhubarb  30-36  36-48  
 Rutabaga  6-8  18-24   1/2
 Salsify  2-4  18-24   1/2
 Shallot  6-8  12-18   1/4
 Sorrel  12-18  18-24   1/2
 Soybean  11/2-2  24-30   1/2-1
 Spinach  2-4  12-24   1/2
 Spinach, New Zealand
  12  24-36   1/2
 Squash, Summer1, 4  24-36  18-48  1
 Squash, Winter1, 3  24-48  60-120  1
 Tomato  18-36  24-48   1/2
 Turnip
    greens
    roots
  
2-3
3-4
  
12-24
12-24
  
 1/2
 1/2
 Watermelon1, 3 24-72  60-120  1
1) Note: Plants in inverted hills should be thinned to three plants in each hill.
2) Hills should be 36 inches apart.
3) Hills should be 72 inches apart.
4) Hills should be 48 inches apart.

 Want more information about vegetable gardens? Visit these links:
  • Caring for a Vegetable Garden: Read our guide to nurturing your vegetable plants for the best harvest.
  • Vegetable Gardens: Find out everything you wanted to know about vegetable gardening.
  • Vegetables: Pick out your favorite vegetables to plant in next year's garden.
  • Gardening: We answer all of your general gardening questions in this section.
  • Garden Care: Whether you're growing cucumbers or columbines, we have all the information you need to nurture a thriving garden.