Thinning | UC Master Gardener Program

Thinning of radish shoots to prevent overcrowding, thin radishes so plants are 1 inch apart. Photo source: eLearning Brothers

Overcrowded plants cannot grow rapidly or reach a good size. Thin small root crops, salad crops, and those grown for greens early at the second or third true leaf stage. Thin root crops, such as beets or carrots, so the plants are 2 inches apart in the row. Thin radishes so plants are 1 inch apart and head lettuce to 12 inches apart.

The table below lists the standard spacing for each crop. However, different spacings may be required in your garden.

General planting requirements (distance)

Distance (inches)
Vegetables	Between plants in rows	Between rows (no beds)
artichoke	48	60
beans, snap	30	45-55
beets	18	32
broccoli	36	32
cabbage	24	36
cantaloupes and other melons	12	72
carrots	2	24
cauliflower	24	36
celery	5	24
chayote	72	use trellis
corn, sweet	12	36
cucumbers	24	48
eggplant	18	36
garlic	3	18
kale	18-24	24-30
kohlrabi	3	24
lettuce	24	32
okra	18	36
onions, bulb	3	18
onions, green	1-2	6-12
parsley	8	24
parsnips	3	24
peppers	24	36
potatoes, sweet	12	36
potatoes, white	12	30
pumpkins	48	72
rhubarb	36	48
spinach	3	18
squash, summer	24	48
squash, winter	24-48	72
tomatoes	18-36	36-60
watermelons	24-60	60-72

Source: California Master Gardener Handbook, Table 13.2, Adapted from Vegetable Gardening Illustrated 1994.