Bed & Balcony
Garden plans / Raised beds

4×8 four-family rotation starter

Four numbered zones represent four botanical families for next-year planning.

Record Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Apiaceae and Fabaceae by zone. Rotate future crops where possible; rotation alone does not prevent pests.

Your next step

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

240target positions
23 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

4 × 8 ft (121.9 × 243.8 cm) · 12 in (30.5 cm) fill depth · 6 hours of sun · Start · Last spring frost

240target positions
906.1 Lusable fill volume
23 bags40 L each · after inventory
12 weeksyour first care plan

Planting layout

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

4×8 four-family rotation starter · phase 1ABCD4 ft / 121.9 cm8 ft / 243.8 cm
Bed 1 · phase 1. Each dot is one target position. 4 × 8 ft (121.9 × 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 · Small round radishes1281 planting batch3 × 3 in76.2 × 76.2 mm282 seeds128 seasonal target positions
C · Short carrots721 planting batch4 × 4 in101.6 × 101.6 mm159 seeds72 seasonal target positions
D · Bush snap beans321 planting batch6 × 6 in152.4 × 152.4 mm36 seeds32 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.

2027-04-03 to 2027-04-17

Small round radishes · B

Direct sow. Use a small round spring variety, not daikon; avoid sustained hot weather.

2027-04-10 to 2027-05-01

Short carrots · C

Direct sow. Choose a short-root cultivar for this depth; loosen soil and remove stones.

2027-05-08 to 2027-05-15

Bush snap beans · D

Direct sow. Wait for frost risk to pass and soil to reach at least 60°F (16°C); check the local forecast.

What to buy

Owned items are deducted before buying.

Net supply list
SupplyRequiredAlready ownedBuy
Raised-bed growing mix906.1 L0 L23 × 40 L bags
Position labels (reuse between phases)240 each0 each240 each
Measuring tool1 each0 each1 each
Gentle watering tool1 each0 each1 each
Leaf lettuce · A · 1 batch18 seeds0 seeds18 seeds
Small round radishes · B · 1 batch282 seeds0 seeds282 seeds
Short carrots · C · 1 batch159 seeds0 seeds159 seeds
Bush snap beans · D · 1 batch36 seeds0 seeds36 seeds

Mix: 906.1 L theoretical × 1 allowance = 906.1 L; minus 0 L owned = 906.1 L net. Buying 920 L leaves 13.9 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 906.1 L of raised-bed growing mix before allowance. Record Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Apiaceae and Fabaceae by zone. Rotate future crops where possible; rotation alone does not prevent pests.
  • Direct sow: Leaf lettuce in A. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.
  • Direct sow: Small round radishes in B. Use a small round spring variety, not daikon; avoid sustained hot weather.
  • 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. Thin early after emergence; a crowded root will not size well.
  • C (Short carrots): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 5+ hours of sun.
  • D (Bush snap beans): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 6+ 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.
  • Direct sow: Small round radishes in B. Use a small round spring variety, not daikon; avoid sustained hot weather.
  • Direct sow: Short carrots in C. Choose a short-root cultivar for this depth; loosen soil and remove stones.
  • 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. Thin early after emergence; a crowded root will not size well.
  • C: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Keep the surface moist through slow emergence; do not transplant taproots.
  • D (Bush snap beans): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 6+ 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.
  • Direct sow: Small round radishes in B. Use a small round spring variety, not daikon; avoid sustained hot weather.
  • Direct sow: Short carrots in C. Choose a short-root cultivar for this depth; loosen soil and remove stones.
  • 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. Thin early after emergence; a crowded root will not size well.
  • C: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Keep the surface moist through slow emergence; do not transplant taproots.
  • D (Bush snap beans): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 6+ hours of sun.
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.
  • Direct sow: Short carrots in C. Choose a short-root cultivar for this depth; loosen soil and remove stones.
  • 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: when true leaves appear, thin toward 128 positions at 3.0 × 3.0 in (76 × 76 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • C: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Keep the surface moist through slow emergence; do not transplant taproots.
  • D (Bush snap beans): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 6+ hours of sun.
  • 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.
  • Direct sow: Short carrots in C. Choose a short-root cultivar for this depth; loosen soil and remove stones.
  • 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: when true leaves appear, thin toward 128 positions at 3.0 × 3.0 in (76 × 76 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • C: when true leaves appear, thin toward 72 positions at 4.0 × 4.0 in (102 × 102 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • D (Bush snap beans): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 6+ hours of sun.
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.
  • Direct sow: Bush snap beans in D. Wait for frost risk to pass and soil to reach at least 60°F (16°C); check the local forecast.
  • 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: Pull one sample root at edible size; remove woody or flowering plants before another batch. Maturity estimate 25–35 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • C: when true leaves appear, thin toward 72 positions at 4.0 × 4.0 in (102 × 102 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • D: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Use one sound seed per position; replace failures only when soil remains warm.
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.
  • Direct sow: Bush snap beans in D. Wait for frost risk to pass and soil to reach at least 60°F (16°C); check the local forecast.
  • 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: Pull one sample root at edible size; remove woody or flowering plants before another batch. Maturity estimate 25–35 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • C: Thin carefully to avoid damaging neighboring roots; avoid letting the surface crust. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
  • D: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Use one sound seed per position; replace failures only when soil remains warm.
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: Pull one sample root at edible size; remove woody or flowering plants before another batch. Maturity estimate 25–35 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • C: Thin carefully to avoid damaging neighboring roots; avoid letting the surface crust. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
  • D: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Use one sound seed per position; replace failures only when soil remains warm.
  • 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: Pull one sample root at edible size; remove woody or flowering plants before another batch. Maturity estimate 25–35 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • C: Thin carefully to avoid damaging neighboring roots; avoid letting the surface crust. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
  • D: when true leaves appear, thin toward 32 positions at 6.0 × 6.0 in (152 × 152 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
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: Pull one sample root at edible size; remove woody or flowering plants before another batch. Maturity estimate 25–35 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • C: Thin carefully to avoid damaging neighboring roots; avoid letting the surface crust. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
  • D: when true leaves appear, thin toward 32 positions at 6.0 × 6.0 in (152 × 152 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
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: Pull one sample root at edible size; remove woody or flowering plants before another batch. Maturity estimate 25–35 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • C: Thin carefully to avoid damaging neighboring roots; avoid letting the surface crust. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
  • D: Keep pods and foliage dry where possible; bush varieties need no trellis. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
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: Pull one sample root at edible size; remove woody or flowering plants before another batch. Maturity estimate 25–35 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • C: Check a sample root for cultivar size; loosen soil before lifting rather than pulling hard. Maturity estimate 65–80 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • D: Keep pods and foliage dry where possible; bush varieties need no trellis. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
  • 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 radishesSmall round radishes need thinning; our 3-inch cells exclude large daikon varieties. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  6. UMN Extension: Growing carrots and parsnipsDirect sow roots, thin to cultivar size. We use 4-inch cells for short carrots in loose deep soil. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  7. UMN Extension: Growing beansDirect sow bush beans in warm soil. Six-inch square cells are our compact-bed setting, not the conventional row spacing in this source. Accessed 2026-10-04.

Plan garden-08 · version 1 · calculation 1. Actual germination, harvest and local climate performance have not been field tested.

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