Illustration courtesy Mark Roach, South Africa
Plant More Using Efficient Spacing Designs
The spacing chart above illlustrates a method of plant spacing used by square foot gardeners. This format for plant spacing is said to increase plant yields up to 50% when compared to traditional row planting. Each of the larger squares above represents one square foot. The number of square feet in such a garden doesn't matter as long as it is no more than four feet wide so the plants can be reached from either side. Of course you will need to have all four sides of your raised bed accessible so don't place one side against a fence or wall. The general rule is that the size of the plant at maturity determines how many of it you put in each square. For smaller plants such as onions you can plant 16 but for larger plants such as pepper, you should only plant one per square foot.
The traditional row design wastes a lot of space the urban gardener often does not have. For example, there are those long halls between rows that you must allow for access to the plants. It is in these spaces that weeds crop up and then later encroach on your crops--thus the need for that back-breaking work with the hoe which you can avoid entirely with raised beds and square foot crop placement.
Crop Diversity Combined with Companion Planting Helps Ensure Healthy Plants
Planting different crops near to each other for the purposes of pollination, pest control, providing habitat for beneficial creatures is known as "companion planting." Companion planting increases your chances of producing a successful garden.
Here are a few examples of companion planting:
Chives planted around the base of a fruit tree will discourage insects from crawling up the trunk of the tree.
Geraniums planted near grapes will discourage the Japanese beetle.
Marigolds keep the soil free of nematodes and discourage many insects. Plant freely throughout your garden.
Here is a Companion Plants Chart for you to increas your chances of successful gardening.
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If you want to see a square foot garden being planted, stay tuned. Tomorrow I should have more information on the planting of one at tne new Garland Community Garden to be opened this Saturday April 12 --rain or shine (unless its an absolute downpour complete with lightening).
Loving Garland Green meets tonight 6:30 to 7:30.
216 East Kingsbridge Drive - Garland Texas 75040
Open to the public.