Planning a Vegetable Garden: Soil, Layout & Companion Planting

A well-planned vegetable garden yields more with less work. From soil prep to plant partnerships, thoughtful design sets the stage for a bountiful season.

Soil Foundation

• Test pH (target 6.0–6.8); amend per results.
• Deep, loose, fertile loam with 5%+ organic matter.
• Build compost: kitchen scraps, yard waste → black gold in weeks.
• Raised beds improve drainage, warm faster, prevent compaction.

Layout Strategies

• Rows: Traditional, good for machinery.
• Blocks/beds: 3–4 ft wide, any length; access from sides. Higher density.
• Square foot: 1-ft grid; precise spacing, high yield.
• Vertical integration: Trellises on north side for climbers.

Companion Planting Cheat Sheet

Crop	Good Companions	Bad Companions
Tomatoes	Basil, marigold, carrot, onion, nasturtium, borage	Fennel, potato, brassicas, corn
Peppers	Basil, onion, carrot, marjoram, oregano	Fennel, kohlrabi
Cucumbers	Beans, peas, corn, radish, nasturtium, dill	Potato, aromatic herbs
Beans	Corn, cucumber, potato, marigold, summer savory	Onion, garlic, fennel
Carrots	Onion, leek, rosemary, sage, tomato	Dill, parsnip
Brassicas	Dill, mint, rosemary, thyme, chamomile, onion	Tomato, pepper, strawberry, grape
Lettuce	Carrot, radish, cucumber, strawberry, beet	Parsley, celery
Corn	Beans, peas, pumpkin, cucumber, potato	Tomato
Onions/Garlic	Beet, carrot, lettuce, parsley, chamomile	Beans, peas
Potatoes	Beans, corn, eggplant, brassicas	Tomato, cucumber, squash, pumpkin
Peas	Carrot, turnip, cucumber, corn, beans	Onion, garlic, potato

Popular Vegetables & Their Needs

• Tomatoes: Stake/cage, consistent water, calcium.
• Peppers: Warmth, even moisture, stake.
• Cucumbers: Trellis, heavy feed, pollinators.
• Beans: Inoculant, don’t over-fertilize N.
• Carrots: Stone-free soil, thin ruthlessly.
• Lettuce: Succession sow, shade in heat.
• Kale/Chard: Cut-and-come-again, cold-hardy.

Seasonal Planning

• Cool season (spring/fall): peas, spinach, radish, brassicas, roots.
• Warm season (summer): tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, corn.
• Overwinter: garlic, onions, spinach, kale (mulched).
• Rotate families annually; cover crop in gaps.