How big is a standard allotment?

A full UK allotment is traditionally 10 rods, which is about 253 m² (roughly 25m x 10m). A half plot is about 127 m².

How much veg can I grow in a small garden?

Even 10-20 m² can produce useful quantities of salads, herbs, courgettes, beans, and tomatoes. Focus on high-value crops you eat regularly.

What size raised beds should I use?

1.2m wide is ideal so you can reach the centre from both sides. Lengths of 2.4m or 3.6m are popular and practical.

How many people can an allotment feed?

A well-managed full allotment (253 m²) can provide most of the vegetables for a family of four, except potatoes and grains which need more space.

What are the easiest vegetables to grow for beginners?

Courgettes, runner beans, salad leaves, radishes, and potatoes are reliable and productive for beginners. Start small and expand as you gain confidence.

GardenCalcs

Vegetable Plot Size Calculator — How Big Should My Veg Plot Be

Work out how big a veg plot you need to feed your family.

Number of People

Total number of people expected

Self-Sufficiency LevelHow much of your own veg you aim to grow — the plot scales in proportion (50% needs half the area of full self-sufficiency)

What to GrowCrop mix sets the area per person — staples like potatoes and onions need far more space than salads and herbs

How We Calculate This

The calculator uses recommended growing areas per person based on the type of crops: salad crops need about 10 m², a mixed selection about 25 m², staple vegetables about 40 m², and full self-sufficiency about 55 m² per person.

These figures are scaled by your desired self-sufficiency level. The number of raised beds assumes ~65% of the plot is plantable bed area, with the remaining ~35% taken by access paths (RHS recommends 1.2m-wide beds with roughly 0.6m paths between them). The default bed is 4.8 m² (1.2m × 4m); you can change the bed area in advanced options.

Real-world results depend on soil quality, climate, gardening skill, and crop choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Calculate seed potato quantities, spacing, and chitting times.

Runner Bean Calculator

Work out cane quantities, spacing, and expected yields for runner beans.

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard gardening guidelines. Results may vary with soil conditions, climate, and plant varieties.