Bed & Balcony
Garden plans / Raised beds

2×8 narrow planting strip

A two-foot-wide strip with every planting position close to a long edge.

Keep an unobstructed path along the long side. Check comfortable reach for the person tending it before filling.

Your next step

Direct sow · Leaf lettuce
2027-04-03 to 2027-04-17. Check local conditions first.

26target positions
8 bags40 L · after inventory

Print includes your layout, quantities, sources and all twelve weeks. Choose Save as PDF in your browser print dialog.

Your plan, ready to grow

Example dates

2 × 8 ft (61 × 243.8 cm) · 8 in (20.3 cm) fill depth · 4 hours of sun · Start · Last spring frost

26target positions
302 Lusable fill volume
8 bags40 L each · after inventory
12 weeksyour first care plan

Planting layout

Top view · orient tall crops away from the sun-facing edge.

2×8 narrow planting strip · phase 1AB2 ft / 61 cm8 ft / 243.8 cm
Bed 1 · phase 1. Each dot is one target position. 2 × 8 ft (61 × 243.8 cm)
Positions and seasonal planting quantities
Zone / cropPositionsSpacingSeason purchase
A · Leaf lettuce81 planting batch12 × 12 in304.8 × 304.8 mm18 seeds8 seasonal target positions
B · Chive clumps181 planting batch8 × 8 in203.2 × 203.2 mm18 seedlings18 seasonal target positions

Square bed spacing is the selected compact planting method. Container spacing describes root positions; foliage may spread beyond the pot. Seed quantities include 10% spare, with 2 small seeds per target and one bean seed per target. Follow cultivar packets if their spacing or sowing instructions differ.

Planting windows

Soil and weather decide the actual planting day.

2027-04-03 to 2027-04-17

Leaf lettuce · A

Direct sow. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.

2027-04-17 to 2027-05-01

Chive clumps · B

Plant purchased seedlings. Use established small clumps; four hours is a trial threshold, not a yield promise.

Complete first: B-harden.
2027-04-10 to 2027-04-24

Chive clumps · B

Acclimate purchased seedlings. Increase outdoor exposure gradually; protect from frost, strong wind and harsh sun.

What to buy

Owned items are deducted before buying.

Net supply list
SupplyRequiredAlready ownedBuy
Raised-bed growing mix302 L0 L8 × 40 L bags
Position labels (reuse between phases)26 each0 each26 each
Measuring tool1 each0 each1 each
Gentle watering tool1 each0 each1 each
Leaf lettuce · A · 1 batch18 seeds0 seeds18 seeds
Chive clumps · B · 1 batch18 seedlings0 seedlings18 seedlings

Mix: 302 L theoretical × 1 allowance = 302 L; minus 0 L owned = 302 L net. Buying 320 L leaves 18 L beyond the net requirement. Allowance is your choice; no fixed compaction loss is assumed.

Your first twelve weeks

Check off each week as you work.

01Prepare and begin2027-04-01 — 2027-04-07To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Measure the usable space. Prepare 302.0 L of raised-bed growing mix before allowance. Keep an unobstructed path along the long side. Check comfortable reach for the person tending it before filling.
  • Direct sow: Leaf lettuce in A. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.
  • A: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away.
  • B (Chive clumps): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
02Check, tend and act · week 22027-04-08 — 2027-04-14To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Direct sow: Leaf lettuce in A. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.
  • Acclimate purchased seedlings: Chive clumps in B. Increase outdoor exposure gradually; protect from frost, strong wind and harsh sun.
  • A: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away.
  • B (Chive clumps): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
03Check, tend and act · week 32027-04-15 — 2027-04-21To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Direct sow: Leaf lettuce in A. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.
  • Plant purchased seedlings: Chive clumps in B. Use established small clumps; four hours is a trial threshold, not a yield promise.
  • Acclimate purchased seedlings: Chive clumps in B. Increase outdoor exposure gradually; protect from frost, strong wind and harsh sun.
  • A: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away.
  • B: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Plant a nursery clump at its existing soil level and water it in.
04Check, tend and act · week 42027-04-22 — 2027-04-28To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Plant purchased seedlings: Chive clumps in B. Use established small clumps; four hours is a trial threshold, not a yield promise.
  • Acclimate purchased seedlings: Chive clumps in B. Increase outdoor exposure gradually; protect from frost, strong wind and harsh sun.
  • A: when true leaves appear, thin toward 8 positions at 12.0 × 12.0 in (305 × 305 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • B: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Plant a nursery clump at its existing soil level and water it in.
  • Recount surviving positions before buying replacements. Check remaining seed and mix inventory.
05Check, tend and act · week 52027-04-29 — 2027-05-05To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Plant purchased seedlings: Chive clumps in B. Use established small clumps; four hours is a trial threshold, not a yield promise.
  • A: when true leaves appear, thin toward 8 positions at 12.0 × 12.0 in (305 × 305 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • B: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Plant a nursery clump at its existing soil level and water it in.
06Check, tend and act · week 62027-05-06 — 2027-05-12To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • A: Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
  • B: check that each of the 18 purchased plants has rooted and is making new growth. Plant a nursery clump at its existing soil level and water it in.
07Check, tend and act · week 72027-05-13 — 2027-05-19To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • A: Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
  • B: check that each of the 18 purchased plants has rooted and is making new growth. Plant a nursery clump at its existing soil level and water it in.
08Check, tend and act · week 82027-05-20 — 2027-05-26To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • A: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • B: Cut a few leaves above the base and allow regrowth between cuts. Maturity estimate 30–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • Recount surviving positions before buying replacements. Check remaining seed and mix inventory.
09Check, tend and act · week 92027-05-27 — 2027-06-02To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • A: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • B: Cut a few leaves above the base and allow regrowth between cuts. Maturity estimate 30–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
10Check, tend and act · week 102027-06-03 — 2027-06-09To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • A: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • B: Cut a few leaves above the base and allow regrowth between cuts. Maturity estimate 30–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
11Check, tend and act · week 112027-06-10 — 2027-06-16To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • A: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • B: Cut a few leaves above the base and allow regrowth between cuts. Maturity estimate 30–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
12Review and plan ahead2027-06-17 — 2027-06-23To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • A: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • B: Cut a few leaves above the base and allow regrowth between cuts. Maturity estimate 30–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • Review the next stage: late crops may need care beyond these twelve weeks. Record harvest, failures and remaining supplies before selecting your next planting.

Assumptions and sources

  • Spacing is for the selected compact planting method; follow your cultivar packet where it differs.
  • Seed allowance and minimum root-space limits are editable planning choices, not germination or yield guarantees.
  • Dates are preparation windows, not forecasts. Confirm soil temperature, weather and actual crop stage.

Fall plans use a 14-day buffer beyond estimated maturity. Succession plans allow 7 days after the preceding crop estimate and still require an empty zone. Minimum sun and root-space thresholds are planning limits, with cultivar and climate variation.

  1. UMN Extension: Growing lettuceFull-size leaf lettuce plant distance is 10–12 inches. Our 12-inch square cells use an intensive bed layout rather than conventional row aisles. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  2. UMD Extension: Growing vegetables in containers and salad tablesSun exposure, drainage, growing media and crop-specific minimum volumes; our thresholds are conservative planning settings. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  3. UMN Extension: Planting the vegetable gardenCool and warm season establishment; weather and soil readiness matter. Minnesota month dates are not used as global dates. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  4. UMN Extension: Planting for fall harvestMaturity is a cultivar-dependent estimate; our extra 14-day fall buffer is an explicit planning assumption. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  5. UMN Extension: Growing herbsHerb spacing depends on mature size. Our spacing and partial-sun thresholds are compact-cultivar planning choices; full sun is preferable. Accessed 2026-10-04.

Plan garden-17 · version 1 · calculation 1. Actual germination, harvest and local climate performance have not been field tested.

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