20 Spring & Summer Garden Layout Ideas: What to Plant and Where

As the days get warmer and the sun lingers a little longer, it’s the perfect time to start planning your spring and summer vegetable garden!

The layout of your garden can make all the difference in maximizing space, improving yield, and keeping your plants healthy.

Whether you’re working with a small backyard, raised beds, or even containers, here are 20 layout ideas to inspire your spring and summer garden planning.

1. Classic Row Garden Layout

• Best for: Large gardens with ample space.
• Plant in long, straight rows with adequate spacing between them.
• Example: Tomatoes, corn, peppers, and carrots in separate rows.

2. Square Foot Gardening Layout

• Best for: Small spaces and raised beds.
• Divide beds into 1-foot squares, planting different crops in each.
• Example: Lettuce, radishes, and herbs in a single 4×4 raised bed.

3. Companion Planting Layout

• Best for: Pest control and improved growth.
• Pair plants that benefit each other together.
• Example: Basil and tomatoes, carrots and onions, cucumbers and beans.

4. U-Shaped Raised Bed Layout

• Best for: Easy access to plants without stepping on soil.
• Plants are arranged in a U-shape around a walking path.
• Example: Tall crops like sunflowers at the back, medium plants like tomatoes in the middle, and herbs in the front.

5. Vertical Garden Layout

• Best for: Small spaces, balconies, and urban gardens.
• Use trellises, hanging planters, or wall-mounted pots.
• Example: Pole beans, peas, strawberries, and cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets.

6. Three Sisters Garden Layout

• Best for: Companion planting in small spaces.
• Corn, beans, and squash planted together in a circular pattern.

7. L-Shaped Raised Bed Layout

• Best for: Corner gardens and maximizing space.
• Allows planting in a compact area with easy access.
• Example: Peppers, lettuce, and carrots in raised beds along a fence.

8. Circular Garden Layout

• Best for: Creating a visually appealing garden.
• Center a focal point (like a trellis) with plants radiating outward.
• Example: Tomatoes in the center, surrounded by lettuce, then a border of marigolds.

9. Spiral Herb Garden Layout

• Best for: Maximizing growing space for herbs.
• Uses a raised spiral structure to grow different herbs at various heights.

10. Container Garden Layout

• Best for: Apartment balconies and patios.
• Use pots and containers to grow veggies and herbs.
• Example: Cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and basil in separate pots.

11. Intercropping Layout

• Best for: Getting more yield from limited space.
• Mix quick-growing crops with slow-growing ones.
• Example: Radishes planted alongside slower-growing carrots.

12. Raised Bed Garden Grid Layout

• Best for: Organizing plants efficiently.
• Divide a raised bed into equal sections.
• Example: One section each for tomatoes, peppers, basil, and onions.

13. Keyhole Garden Layout

• Best for: Water efficiency and accessibility.
• A circular garden with a path cutting into the center.
• Example: Tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce surrounding a compost bin.

14. Urban Rooftop Garden Layout

• Best for: City dwellers with rooftop access.
• Use lightweight planters and vertical structures.
• Example: Herbs, leafy greens, and cherry tomatoes in containers.

15. Hugelkultur Garden Layout

• Best for: Water retention and soil health.
• Uses buried logs as a base for raised beds.
• Example: Squash, pumpkins, and beans planted over a hugelkultur mound.

16. No-Till Garden Layout

• Best for: Reducing soil disturbance.
• Use mulch and cover crops to enrich the soil naturally.
• Example: Direct-seeding lettuce, beets, and radishes in mulched beds.

17. Pollinator-Friendly Garden Layout

• Best for: Encouraging bees and butterflies.
• Mix flowers with vegetables to attract pollinators.
• Example: Tomatoes and peppers interplanted with marigolds and lavender.

18. Self-Watering Garden Layout

• Best for: Minimal maintenance gardens.
• Use wicking beds or sub-irrigated planters.
• Example: Leafy greens and herbs in self-watering containers.

19. Hydroponic Garden Layout

• Best for: Indoor and small-space gardening.
• Grow plants without soil in a nutrient solution.
• Example: Lettuce, kale, and strawberries in a hydroponic tower.

20. Zone-Based Garden Layout

• Best for: Easy access and plant rotation.
• Divide garden into different planting zones.
• Example: One section for leafy greens, another for root crops, and another for vining plants.

Final Thoughts

Your garden layout can make or break your harvest! By carefully selecting your design, you can make the most of your space, improve plant health, and increase yields.

Whether you have a small backyard, a balcony, or acres of land, there’s a layout that will work for you.

🌱 Which layout are you excited to try? Let me know in the comments!