As you start transplanting your vegetable seedlings in your vegetable garden, it’s essential that you keep the correct amount of space between plants.
Using the correct plant spacing in your vegetable garden is important for several reasons:
- Nutrient availability: Each plant requires a certain amount of nutrients from the soil to grow and produce. If the plants are overcrowded, they will have to compete for nutrients, which can result in stunted growth and lower yields.
- Water availability: Similarly, plants require a certain amount of water to grow and produce. If the plants are too close together, they will have to compete for water, which can result in dry soil and stressed plants.
- Disease and pest prevention: Overcrowded plants can create a humid and moist environment that is ideal for the development of diseases and pests. Proper plant spacing can help reduce the likelihood of these issues and the likelihood of you observing such issues early on.
- Air circulation: Proper plant spacing allows for adequate air circulation, which can help prevent the development of fungal diseases and promote healthy plant growth.
As your plants grow, so will their roots, even though you won’t be able to see them. The correct spacing will help you keep enough space for both the top of your plant as well as its roots so that it can grow as large as possible.
Given below, is the minimum spacing that you must keep for each type of plant. Remember, don’t be fooled by the size of your seedling and be tempted to plant your seedlings too near to each other.
| Vegetable/Herb | Spacing Requirements (inches) |
| Amaranth | 12-18 |
| Artichoke | 48-72 |
| Asparagus | 12-16 |
| Basil | 8-12 |
| Beets/Beetroot | 2-4 |
| Bok choy | 8-12 |
| Borage | 12-18 |
| Broccoli | 18-24 |
| Brussels sprouts | 18-24 |
| Cabbage | 24-36 |
| Carrots | 2-4 |
| Cauliflower | 18-24 |
| Celery | 8-12 |
| Chinese cabbage | 12-18 |
| Collard | 15-18 |
| Coriander | 4-10 |
| Corn | 8-12 |
| Cucumbers | 10-12 |
| Curry leaves | 48-60 |
| Dill | 10-12 |
| Eggplant/Binjal/Aubergine | 18-30 |
| Endive | 6-9 |
| Fennel | 10-12 |
| Garlic | 6-8 |
| Ginger | 10-12 |
| Green beans | 4-6 |
| Kale | 18-24 |
| Leeks | 6-8 |
| Lemongrass | 24-36 |
| Lettuce | 6-8 |
| Malabar spinach | 8-12 |
| Mint | 18-24 |
| Okra | 18-24 |
| Onion | 2-4 |
| Oregano | 8-10 |
| Parsley | 6-10 |
| Parsnips | 4-6 |
| Peas | 2-4 |
| Peppers | 18-24 |
| Potatoes | 10-12 |
| Pumpkin | 24-36 |
| Radishes | 2-3 |
| Rosemary | 12-18 |
| Rutabaga | 6-8 |
| Sage | 18-24 |
| Shallot | 4-6 |
| Snap peas | 2-4 |
| Snow peas | 2-4 |
| Soybean | 3-4 |
| Spinach | 6-8 |
| Squash | 24-36 |
| Sweet potato | 12-18 |
| Swiss chard | 6-8 |
| Thyme | 12-24 |
| Tomatoes | 24-36 |
| Turnip | 3-6 |
| Watercress | 6-8 |
| Yams | 30-40 |
| Zucchini/Courgettes | 24-36 |
Overall, using correct plant spacing can help promote healthy plant growth, increase yields, and reduce the likelihood of disease and pest problems in your vegetable garden. Keeping the correct plant spacing as you transplant your seedlings will help them have enough space when they are a lot bigger.
