From growing idea to materials list

Make room for your next garden.

Connect the space, plants and supplies in one practical plan. Adjust your measurements and see the quantities change.

Projects with a starting point

Choose a setup. Make it yours.

Each example joins a planting decision, measured quantities and a complete project guide. Adjust it to your space before buying.

Overlapping light-green Grand Rapids leaf-lettuce leaves with deeply curled edges. — Leaf lettuce. Editorial photography · Jeremy Bronson · CC BY 2.0. Resized/compressed; image credits.

A cool-season lettuce bed

One 6 × 3-foot bed, a reachable harvest and a spacing plan for selected lettuce plants.

Use this starting plan Read the project guide →

Fresh green basil leaves growing beside the wooden edge of a container. — Culinary herbs. Editorial photography · Tobias Doering · Unsplash License. Resized/compressed; image credits.

Three separate kitchen-herb pots

Give basil, parsley and thyme their own root space and watering decisions.

Use this starting plan Read the project guide →

A magenta Zinnia elegans flower head with layered ray florets and small yellow central florets against blurred green foliage; cultivar unverified. — Zinnia elegans flowers; illustrative species photo, not verified as Magellan Coral F1. Editorial photography · Joanna Boisse · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized/compressed; image credits.

A small-vase zinnia bed

Plan a compact flower harvest around the actual spread of a named zinnia.

Use this starting plan Read the project guide →

Started with a Garden Gear Atlas example

A cool-season lettuce bed

Your current measurements below control the estimate. The original assumptions remain available here so you can see what changed.

Original setup assumptions

Inside bed dimensions: 6 × 3 feet, with a 12-inch target fill and no existing mix entered. This measures fill; it does not specify how to build a frame.
The example uses 12-inch spacing in both directions and 6-inch edge clearance: 18 geometric positions. Check the chosen lettuce variety, mature size and local planting window.
Five direct-sun hours is a starting observation to replace with your own. Planting season, heat and water access still determine suitability.

Read the complete project guide →Lettuce growing reference →Start a blank project →

1 / Choose the growing spaceProject name

Identical bedsInside length (feet)Inside width (feet)Target fill depth (inches)Existing fill depth (inches)Extra volume allowance (%)Chosen bag size (cubic feet)

Use inside measurements. Containers are estimated as tapered round vessels; irregular shapes need a measured capacity. Bag sizes come from your chosen package label.

2 / Match plants to the space

Direct sunlight (hours per day)Main planting goal

Some cool-season leafy greens can use 3–5 hours of direct sun. More light also changes heat and watering needs; plan for the season.

Find a plant and its care requirements →Estimate a uniform planting grid

Between plants in a row (inches)Between rows (inches)Clearance to each bed edge (inches)

Enter spacing for your selected cultivar and training method. The defaults are geometry examples, not a crop recommendation. Mixed planting and access aisles are not included.

3 / Plan water deliveryInclude a drip delivery estimate

Start with a reachable water source. Add drip calculations when you know the layout and outlet specification.

4 / Keep the project togetherConfirm inside measurements and accessChoose suitable growing mix and verify bag volumeCheck plant variety, local timing and mature sizeAllow space for supports and harvestingConfirm the water source and component connectionsCheck drainage, surface protection and filled weightProject notes

Shared plans include these notes. Keep personal information out of a plan you share.

Your materials estimate

12bags of growing mix

18 cubic feet, using 1.5 cu ft bags.

Growing spaces: 1 beds
Interior bed area: 18 sq ft total
Geometric planting positions: 18 total · 18 per bed

Rounded up to full bags. This estimate excludes shipping, price, compaction and materials already on hand except the existing fill you entered.

One bed, viewed from above

3 rows of 6 positions in one bed. 1 identical bed in the project. Dots mark centers, not mature plant size. Access paths and support footprints are not drawn.

Materials and remaining choices

Quantities follow your current inputs. Check what you already own; unmeasured items remain decisions to make.

Bed spaces ↗: 1
6 × 3 ft inside each; confirm the frame, base and working access.
New growing mix ↗: 12 bags
18 cu ft estimated at 1.5 cu ft per bag; includes your entered allowance.
Planting positions to review ↗: 18
3 rows × 6 positions per row in each bed. Geometry does not account for cultivar spread, supports or paths.
Water access ↗: Measure your route
Confirm a reachable source and a hose or watering can that suits the distance. Set watering from the mix, roots and weather.
Protection and supports ↗: Decide before planting
Check local pest pressure, the plant’s mature habit and harvest access. No universal support or protection kit is included.

Compare the materials

These are research options. The estimate above uses your entered bag size; it does not assume this listing is that size.

Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix, 1.5 cubic feet

A ready-to-use raised-bed option. Compare its ingredients and your underlying soil.

Check price on Amazon (paid link)

Compare all researched gear →

How the planner works

Bed volume uses inside length × width × the difference between target and existing fill depth, multiplied by bed count and your allowance. Round-container volume uses the filled portion of a truncated cone, subtracts your root-ball volume and multiplies by container count. Bags are rounded upward. Grid positions use your row spacing and edge clearance. Drip time divides your chosen water target by total rated outlet flow.

Growing conditions: University of Maryland Extension — vegetables in containers. Tubing specifications: Rain Bird ET25-50S2.