By Ethan BrooksUpdated November 2026
A square foot gardening companion planting chart PDF gives you a quick reference for which vegetables grow well together and how many plants fit in each square. In this guide, you will learn how to read a chart, lay out a 4-by-4-foot bed and place your crops so they help each other instead of competing. The whole process takes about an hour once you have your chart in hand.
What a Square Foot Gardening Companion Planting Chart Shows
Most charts organize vegetables into rows and columns, with a symbol or color code showing whether two plants are friends, neutral or enemies. The chart also lists how many plants of each type fit in one square foot. Basil in a 1-square-foot box, for example, usually means one plant, while bush beans often mean nine or sixteen seeds depending on the variety.
Shopping for one? See our guide: 6 Best Garden Layout Free Printable Printable Companion Planting Charts (2026): Our Picks.
Before printing, check the chart’s source and date. Recommendations on pairings have shifted as gardeners have tested them, and some charts mix proven pairings with folklore. Treat the chart as a starting point, then watch your own beds.
How to Lay Out Your Bed Using the Chart
- Build a 4-by-4-foot frame and divide it into sixteen 1-foot squares using stakes and string or wood strips.
- Pick six to eight crops you want to grow. Group tall plants like pole beans or indeterminate tomatoes on the north side so they do not shade shorter crops.
- Look up each crop on your chart and note the plants-per-square count and any friend or foe notes.
- Sketch the layout on paper first. Keep the friend pairs in adjacent squares and separate the foe pairs by at least one square where possible.
- Plant in the sketched order, labeling each square with a stake so you can match it to the drawing later.
If you are working with a smaller space, a companion chart for containers may suit you better. Container Companion Planting Chart: 8 Pairings That Work (2026) covers pairings for pots, which follow many of the same rules.
Reading Friend and Foe Pairings Correctly
A friend pairing usually means the two plants support each other through pest deterrence, shade, nitrogen contribution or a different root depth. A foe pairing usually means they compete for the same nutrients or attract a shared pest. Neither label is absolute. A foe pair that is spaced apart and well watered often does fine.
| Crop | Good neighbors | Keep apart from |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Basil, carrot, marigold | Potato, fennel |
| Bush bean | Carrot, cucumber, marigold | Onion, garlic |
| Cucumber | Bush bean, radish, dill | Potato, aromatic herbs |
| Lettuce | Carrot, radish, strawberry | Cabbage family in close rows |
For a fuller pairing list covering herbs, see Companion Herb Planting Chart: 6 Pairings and Spacing Rules (2026).
Printing and Using Your PDF Chart Through the Season
Laminate or slip your printed chart into a plastic sleeve so soil and water do not ruin it. Pin a copy inside your garden shed and keep a digital version on your phone. Update your layout notes at the end of each season: record which pairs produced well, which struggled, and where pests appeared. Over two or three seasons, your own notes will be more useful than any generic chart.
Bed layout drawings also help with rotation. If you want to compare your chart with a more detailed planting plan, Layout Companion Planting Square Foot Gardening Chart: How to Build One (2026) walks through a full grid example.
Common Mistakes
- Following the plants-per-square numbers without checking the variety. Compact and vining types need different space.
- Planting frost-tender crops before the last frost date for your area.
- Placing tall crops on the south side, where they shade the rest of the bed.
- Treating every foe pairing as a reason to leave a square empty. Spacing often solves the problem.
- Forgetting that the chart shows general advice, not guaranteed results in your soil and climate.
Recommended Gear
- Square foot grid kit: Ready-made string or wood grid components make it easy to mark sixteen 1-foot squares before planting. View on Amazon
- Plant labels: Waterproof markers let you tag each square so you can match it to your layout sketch. View on Amazon
- Plastic sheet protectors: A clear sleeve keeps your printed chart dry and readable in the garden. View on Amazon
FAQ
Is a square foot gardening companion planting chart PDF accurate for every region?
Most charts are written for a general temperate climate. Check planting windows against your local frost dates and adjust for heat or cold in your area.
How many plants fit in one square foot?
It depends on the crop. Lettuce and carrots often fit 4 to 16 per square, while large plants like tomatoes usually get one square each. Your chart should list the count for each crop.
Can I use a companion chart for a raised bed that is not square foot gardening?
Yes. The pairing principles still apply, but you will need to space plants by their mature size instead of relying on the square grid.
Conclusion
A square foot gardening companion planting chart PDF turns planning into a simple grid exercise. Choose your crops, sketch the layout, and plant with friends together and rivals apart. Keep notes each season, and your chart will become a record of what works in your own yard.
Ready to choose one?
About Ethan Brooks
Ethan Brooks is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our vegetable & edible gardening guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
