Looking for vegetable garden layout ideas? Here are 20 vegetable garden layouts by real gardeners that will help you grow more food in your gardens—from small space gardens to raised beds. Take alook.
What’s special about these garden plans is that they are successful layouts designed and executed outside in the garden itself by verified customers. We hope you find this both inspirational and useful!
I. Square-Foot GardeningLayouts
Square-foot gardening (SFG) makes efficient use of space. Normally, an SFG garden is made of multiple 4 x 4 foot “boxes” (deeply-raised beds) that can be densely planted for multiple harvests. A lattice is laid across the top to separate each square foot. By getting rid of traditional rows, you will do less weeding, too. SFG is an especially helpful method for beginner gardeners.
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Planning a Square-Foot Garden: Grow More Crops in Less Space
Backyard Vegetable Garden Layouts
See SIX square-foot garden layouts—plus, beautiful gardenphotos!
II. Backyard GardenLayouts
A backyard often has many family demands placed upon it. It may be a place to relax and unwind, a space for children and/or pets to play, and an area for growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers – all simultaneously! Backyard gardens can be grown in traditional in-ground rows, raised garden beds, or a mixture of both. Because of the multi-use requirement for the garden, it’s worth considering how plants can be protected from trampling, stray footballs, boisterous dogs, and soon!
See 3 backyard garden layouts—plus, beautiful gardenphotos!
III. Raised Bed GardenLayouts
Raised beds are often framed with wood, bricks, or other materials and then filled with a mixture of high-quality potting soil, compost, and/or leaf mold. They drain well and are excellent for otherwise difficult areas such as stony, compacted, contaminated, very wet, or nutrient-poor soils. Raised beds are also useful for gardeners with limited mobility as they reduce the need to bend and can even be built on raised platforms for wheelchairaccess.
See 3 layouts for raised bed gardens—plus, beautiful gardenphotos!
IV. Kitchen Garden Layouts(Potager)
Many fresh herbs and vegetables taste much better when they’re freshly harvested, and what could be more convenient than having them just outside the back door? The kitchen garden’s charm and appeal is the blend of vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers that are grown together like a living tapestry. Kitchen gardens are planted and replanted throughout the season for a continuous supply of fresh food for thekitchen.
See 6 kitchen garden layouts—plus beautiful gardenphotos!
V. HomesteadGarden
A homestead garden is usually larger than a typical backyard garden. It is grown either as a self–sufficient lifestyle choice or a market garden where excess produce can be swapped, bartered, or sold. While homestead gardens may have some raised beds nearer to the house, most crops are grown in traditional in-ground rows. Homestead gardeners may also keep a few chickens or bees in thegarden.
See 3 free plans for homestead gardens—plus beautiful gardenphotos!
VI. SmallGardens
If your garden is small, it’s important to make the best use of your space with clever planting techniques and the right crops. Prioritize crops by choosing to grow only those that you enjoy eating or are expensive tobuy.
See 4 free plans for small garden spaces—plus beautiful garden photos!
VII. Dry Gardens or Drought-ResistantGardens
Gardening can be challenging when water is at a premium, but there are many ways for resourceful gardeners to grow gardens that flourish even when water isscarce.
Raised garden beds, irrigation, companion planting, mulching, and water-efficient crops are all important for gardening in dryclimates.
See free layouts for gardens in dry climates—plus beautiful garden photos!
VIII. FlowerGarden
Flower gardens may be grown for cut flowers for use indoors or simply for the enjoyment and relaxation gained from growing and tending the plants. Flowers also provide food and habitat for beneficial insects and can help improve the pollination of fruit and vegetablecrops.
See free flower garden plans—plus beautiful gardenphotos!
IX. Companion PlantingGarden
Companion planting is the practice of growing plants together for a beneficial effect, such as protection from pests. Larger vegetables may also be used to protect smaller plants and seedlings from harsh winds or as climbing support, while sprawling crops such as squashes can be used to suppress weeds around tall crops likecorn.
See free garden plan layoutsusing companion plantingtechniques.
X. Partial-ShadeGardens
While most vegetables are sun-lovers, there are a handful that do tolerate some shade. Not all of us have a sunny spot, but we can still have fresh greens and other gardengoodies.
See our list of shade-tolerant vegetables plusfree layouts for partial shade gardens.
Discover Hundreds MoreFree Vegetable PlanLayouts
We have highlighted some of our best sample plans here; however, you can now find over 800garden plans using our Almanac Garden Planner tool—curated over tenyears!
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
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Square-Foot Gardening Layouts
Square-foot gardening (SFG) is a method that makes efficient use of space in vegetable gardens. It involves creating multiple 4 x 4 foot "boxes" or deeply-raised beds that can be densely planted for multiple harvests. A lattice is laid across the top to separate each square foot. This method eliminates traditional rows, reducing the need for extensive weeding. Square-foot gardening is particularly helpful for beginner gardeners.
Backyard Garden Layouts
Backyard gardens often have multiple purposes, such as relaxation, play areas for children and pets, and growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers. These gardens can be grown in traditional in-ground rows, raised garden beds, or a combination of both. When planning a backyard garden, it's important to consider how to protect plants from potential damage caused by activities like trampling or playing sports. Designing the layout with these considerations in mind can help ensure a successful and functional backyard garden.
Raised Bed Garden Layouts
Raised bed gardens are often framed with materials like wood or bricks and filled with a mixture of high-quality potting soil, compost, and/or leaf mold. They provide good drainage and are suitable for areas with difficult soil conditions, such as stony, compacted, contaminated, very wet, or nutrient-poor soils. Raised beds are also beneficial for gardeners with limited mobility, as they reduce the need for bending and can even be built on raised platforms for wheelchair accessibility.
Kitchen Garden Layouts (Potager)
Kitchen gardens, also known as potagers, are designed to provide a continuous supply of fresh herbs, vegetables, fruits, and flowers just outside the back door. These gardens combine different types of plants in a visually appealing way, creating a living tapestry. Kitchen gardens are often planted and replanted throughout the season to ensure a steady supply of fresh food for the kitchen .
Homestead Garden
Homestead gardens are usually larger than typical backyard gardens and are grown either for self-sufficiency or as market gardens where excess produce can be shared, bartered, or sold. While some raised beds may be present near the house, most crops in homestead gardens are grown in traditional in-ground rows. Homestead gardeners may also keep animals like chickens or bees in the garden.
Small Gardens
In small gardens, it's important to make the best use of limited space by employing clever planting techniques and choosing the right crops. Prioritizing crops that you enjoy eating or that are expensive to buy can help maximize the productivity of a small garden.
Dry Gardens or Drought-Resistant Gardens
Gardening in dry climates can be challenging due to limited water availability. However, resourceful gardeners can still create flourishing gardens by using raised garden beds, irrigation systems, companion planting, mulching, and selecting water-efficient crops. These strategies help conserve water and promote successful gardening in dry climates.
Flower Garden
Flower gardens can be grown for cut flowers to use indoors or simply for the enjoyment and relaxation gained from growing and tending to the plants. Flowers also provide food and habitat for beneficial insects and can improve the pollination of fruit and vegetable crops.
Companion Planting Garden
Companion planting is the practice of growing plants together for mutual benefits, such as pest protection or support. Larger vegetables can be used to protect smaller plants from harsh winds or provide climbing support, while sprawling crops like squashes can help suppress weeds around taller crops like corn. Companion planting is an effective way to maximize the productivity and health of a garden.
Partial-Shade Gardens
While most vegetables thrive in full sun, there are some that tolerate partial shade. If you have a shady garden, you can still grow fresh greens and other vegetables by selecting shade-tolerant varieties and using appropriate planting techniques. Partial-shade gardens require careful consideration of the available sunlight and the specific needs of shade-tolerant crops.
These are some of the concepts related to vegetable garden layouts mentioned in this article. If you have any specific questions or need further information, feel free to ask!
