How Far Apart Should You Plant Broccoli?
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GardenSays
Your 8×4 ft raised bed fits 8 broccoli plants at 20-inch spacing.
- Between plants
- 20 in
- Grid
- 4 × 2
- Total plants
- 8
Broccoli plants need 16-24 inches between plants, and in a raised bed you can use that same spacing in both directions — no walking rows needed. At the 20-inch midpoint, that's 4 along the bed and 2 across — 8 plants.
Calculated result · 1 verified source · Checked 2026-07-17 · How we decide
Why
Crowding is the most common spacing mistake: closer planting doesn't add yield, it adds shade, disease pressure, and small fruit. When in doubt, use the wider end of the range.
- Air circulation between mature plants is the cheapest disease prevention there is.
- Roots spread wider than the plant looks in June — spacing is set for August size.
When this doesn't apply
- Compact broccoli plants can take the tight end of the range; large or vigorous ones want the wide end.
- Square-foot gardening compresses further than these numbers — it trades yield per plant for yield per bed and needs diligent feeding.
How this was calculated
- 1. In-row spacing20 in
Broccoli: 16-24 inches between plants (extension guidance); midpoint used
- 2. Intensive grid4 × 2 plants
Raised beds skip walking paths: plants sit on a 20×20 inch grid. 96÷20 along, 48÷20 across (edge margins included in the division)
- 3. Total8 plants
4 × 2
Data sources
- University of Maryland Extension — Growing Broccoli in a Home Garden — Set out 5-7 week transplants 4 weeks before the last spring frost; spacing 16-24 in-row x 24-30 between rows; full sun (6+ hrs, prefers 8-10); 55-65 days from transplanting; cut the central head before flowers open (3-8 inches); keep the root zone moist, water more when heads develop. (checked 2026-07-17)
What changes this answer
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Your next decisions
When to Plant Broccoli
Time broccoli transplants for spring and the (often better) fall crop
When to Harvest Broccoli
Cut the central head at the right stage and keep side shoots coming
How Often to Water Broccoli
Decide watering frequency and amount for shallow-rooted broccoli
Cabbage Plant Spacing
Spacing for cabbage, plus how many fit your bed or row
More plant spacing tools: see all →