At this point there are two types of gardeners. The ones that have everything planted and are just waiting for it to grow and then there is those of us that are not ready at all… considering not bothering because we are late, but there IS Still Time!
One thing I have always wondered when it comes time to plant the garden, how much should I plant? I know there is no simple answer due to the unknowns of gardening. A good year could see an abundance of produce from a small plot, then there are years like last where very few saw any yield at all from their garden.
I know this is not full proof due to the varied unknown conditions associated with gardening, but there is a chart that can help you determine how much you need to plant to supply your family with vegetables for the year. The rule of thumb is 200 square feet (18.5 square metres) of garden per person. So what might that look like when it comes to numbers of plants?
Take a look:
Calculate How Many Vegetables to Plant
| Vegetable crop | Plants per 1 person | Plants per 4 People | Plant spacing | Direct Sow Seeds | Transplant Seedlings | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | 5 to 10 | 25 plants | 12 to 18 in. | X | X | It takes 2 to 3 years before harvest but can last up to a decade |
| Beans | 10 to 15 | 40 to 45 | Thin seedlings to 2 to 3 in. | X | Plant successive crops every two weeks for a continuous harvest; great for canning and pickling | |
| Beets | 10 to 12 | 40 to 48 | Thin seedlings to 3 in. | X | Beets store well; plant in spring and fall for two harvests each year | |
| Broccoli | 1 to 2 | 4 to 6 | 15 in. | X | Every time you cut a head, more smaller ones will form | |
| Cabbage | 2 to 3 | 8 to 10 | Thin seedlings to 9 to 12 in. | X | X | Plant cabbage closer together for smaller heads |
| Carrots | 20 to 30 | 80 to 90 | Thin seedlings to 1 to 2 in. | X | Long shelf life; plant in spring and fall for multiple harvests | |
| Celery | 1 to 2 | 4 to 6 | 8 to 12 in. | X | Stronger taste than store bought; celery stalks will regrow after being cut | |
| Corn | 10 to 12 | 40 to 48 | 12 in. | X | Plant in blocks for best pollination | |
| Cucumbers | 1 to 2 | 3 to 4 | Thin seedlings to 12 to 24 in. | X | X | Plant 12 in. apart if using a trellis system and 24 in. apart if they’re rambling on the ground |
| Eggplant | 2 to 3 | 4 to 6 | 38 in. | X | Each plant will produce about 8 to 20 well developed fruits depending on variety | |
| Kale | 4 to 5 | 16 to 20 | 12 in. | X | Sow seeds 3 in. apart and thin to 12 in. the seedlings can be enjoyed as microgreens! | |
| Lettuce | 4 to 6 | 16 to 24 | Thin seedlings to 9 in. | X | X | Stagger sowing for one head per week per person |
| Melons | 1 to 2 | 2 to 4 | 24 in. | X | Plant two seeds per hole in mounds 24 inches apart | |
| Onions | 6 to 12 | 24 to 48 | 4 to 6 in. | X | Buy sets (individual bulbs) or plants (in bundles) and plant two per person, per week | |
| Peas | 15 to 20 | 60 to 80 | Thin seedlings to 2 in. | X | X | Grow peas on a trellis |
| Peppers | 1 to 3 | 1 to 12 | 12 to 24 in. | X | Most hot peppers are prolific: one plant is enough for one or four people; for larger peppers, grow two to three plants per person | |
| Potatoes | 4 to 6 | 12 to 24 | 12 in. | X | Seed potatoes are tubers you plant in the ground; each plant will yield 1 lb. of potatoes | |
| Radishes | 10 to 15 | 60 | 4 to 6 in. | X | Enjoy radish seedlings as microgreens and are tasty on salads and sandwiches | |
| Spinach | 4 to 8 | 16 to 32 | Thin seedlings to 3 to 6 in. | X | X | Plant in spring and fall for two harvests a year |
| Squash (Summer & Winter) | 1 to 2 | 2 to 4 | Thin seedlings to 18 to 36 in. | X | X | Plant summer squash 18 in. apart and larger plants of winter squash 36 in. apart |
| Tomatoes | 1 to 4 | 1 to 16 | 12 to 24 in. | X | Cherries: Grow one per person; slicing: grow one to two per person; paste: grow three to four per person | |
| Zucchini | 1 to 2 | 4 | 36 in. | X | Flowers from zucchini plants are also edible, fry them up and give them a try for something new |
Whether you have you garden planted or are like me and still working at getting things in the ground, I hope it’s a great season and you get to enjoy the fruits/vegetables of your labour.
This guy has some good ideas that might help you get the most out of your garden.
