How to use this calculator
- Enter or choose target population.
- Enter or choose population is per.
- Enter or choose layout.
- Enter or choose spacing in.
- The spacing between plants updates as you type. Use Copy result or Share to keep it.
Method
Area per plant A = Area unit ÷ Population; Rows: spacing = A ÷ Row spacing; Square: s = √A; Triangular: s = √(2A ÷ √3), rows s × √3 ÷ 2 apart
- A
- area each plant occupies
- s
- distance between neighbouring plants
Worked example
- Area per plant = 10,000 m² ÷ 60,000 = 0.1667 m².
- In-row spacing = 0.1667 ÷ 0.75 m = 0.2222 m = 22.22 cm.
For 60,000 plants per hectare in 75 cm rows, space plants 22.2 cm apart in the row.
What the result means
Spacing and output units follow the unit you choose (cm or inches). Triangular planting fits about 15% more plants than square planting at the same plant-to-plant distance.
Assumptions and limits
- Plants are evenly spaced; one plant per station.
- Planters and seed plates set spacing in steps, so round to the nearest setting your equipment offers.
Questions
What is triangular (hexagonal) spacing?
Each plant sits at the corner of equilateral triangles, so every neighbour is the same distance away. Rows are offset and set √3/2 (0.866) of the plant spacing apart.
How do I get spacing for a seed drill?
Use the Rows layout with your drill’s row width and divide the result by your establishment rate if you want seed spacing rather than plant spacing.