Small Vegetable Garden Plans Layouts

How do you design a small vegetable garden? For people who have small spaces, we’re here to help with advice on small-size garden 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 essential 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 enjoy eating or 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 there is no wasted space.

The benefits of gardening on a small scale are that it’s easy to keep weeds under control and the area looking beautiful. By making space for flowers, you can attract beneficial insects that will naturally protect your crops from common pests.

a small garden planted to maximize the space

a small garden full of green plants

lettuce plants growing in a raised bed — *Credit: Arina P. Habrich*

Table of Contents

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 are still going strong, so keep 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 the 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 the plant list and more details about this garden here.

3. Small Garden Plan: Traditional Rows

“Suggested plot for a family of four 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.

layout for St. Mark Church Community Garden in New Jersey

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

layout for home garden with raised beds in British Columbia