Small Vegetable Garden Plans and Layouts

Garden planning for a small-space garden is critical as you want minimal wasted space and maximum yield from your harvest.

If your garden is small it’s important to make the best use of the space you have with clever planting techniques and the right crops. Prioritize crops by choosing to grow only those that you really enjoy eating or which are expensive to buy. Avoid planting large sprawling crops unless they can be trained up a fence or other structure. Use inter-cropping techniques to grow small, fast-growing plants between larger, slower-growing ones, and plan for succession planting so that there is no wasted space.

The benefits of gardening on a small scale are that it’s easy to keep on top of weeds and keep the area looking beautiful. By making space for flowers you can draw in beneficial insects who will naturally protect your crops from common pests. For more ideas, see our video guide on Growing More in the Space you Have.

Credit: Arina P. Habrich

After you review the examples below, enjoy hundreds more garden plans with the Almanac Garden Planner here.

1. Small Vegetable Garden Plan (Community Garden)

“Going with mostly container herbs in 2019. Trying flowers. Best results with my jalapenos and onions so they can line the edges. Strawberries still going strong so keeping them (perennial). And I missed having sunflowers last year, so they’re back.”

Garden Location:  Vernon, NJ 
Garden Size:  11’ 11” x 13’ 11”
Garden Type:  Community garden
Garden Layout:  Mix of containers and rows
Sun or Shade:  Sunny
Garden Soil Type:  Heavy, clay soil

See full plant list!

2. Small Garden Plan: Raised Beds

Garden Location:  Michigan
Garden Size:  15’ 11” x 17’ 11”
Garden Type:  Backyard / back garden
Garden Layout:  Raised Beds
Sun or Shade:  Sunny
Garden Soil Type: Good soil

See plant list and more details about this garden here.

3. Small Garden Plan: Traditional Rows

“Suggested plot for a family of 4 at St. Mark Church Community Garden Come Grow With Us.”

Garden Location:  Pemberton NJ 
Garden Size:  15’ 11” x 9’ 11”
Garden Type:  Community garden
Garden Layout:  Traditional layout - rows etc
Sun or Shade:  Sunny
Garden Soil Type:  Good soil

See plant lists and more details about this garden here.

4. Small Garden Plan: Raised Beds

“This is my first real go at a vegetable garden. I am sure it will change as I progress but this is an exciting start!”

Garden Location:  British Columbia, Canada
Garden Size:  8’ 11” x 11’ 11”
Garden Type:  Home garden
Garden Layout:  Raised Beds
Sun or Shade:  Sunny
Garden Soil Type:  Good soil

See full plant list and more details about this garden here.

Looking for more garden layouts? See our free garden plans for other types of gardens.

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