Just captured this footage quickly to demonstrate the farm layout I normally use to maximise the use of available space. Apologies for lack of quality / video editing.
The spacing between the raincatchers and the gaps in the farm plots are important - to ensure that the raincatchers all fill with water. The bars aren't necessary but they stop you from falling into the trench! :)
After you level up farmer class and get irrigation, you can replace the row of water under the farm plots with pipes, and then remove the bars/gaps (and just have a full row of farm plots).
![](https://s2.save4k.ru/pic/zcGfkNx-9n4/maxresdefault.jpg)