Topic: row spacings

[aquilegia]

So my plan is to have a row of leeks along the back of the veg patch, then a row of parsnips, then a row of carrots, then garlic. Each seed packet says to leave a foot between rows (but I only have two feet. Sorry bad humour coming out today)... except the leeks which saw 18in. So that means I need a total of 3.5ft plus a bit on either side, say 4.5ft. But my veg plot isn't that wide.

Most of the packets say to allow about 6in between plants in rows. Can I use a similar space between rows (or say, 9in)? Do they only need so much room to allow for hoeing?

[tim]

I can only suggest that you do as you see fit. Recommended spacings are designed to get the perfect result (?) but many things will give a useful crop if closer.

For instance, I like small leeks and onions, so I space at about 4". Yes, space for hoeing. Or plant so close that no weeds will grow? Try a bit of this and a bit of that? = Tim

[Mrs Ava]

I always plant things to close, always, without fail, whether its plants in the garden or seedlings on the lottie.  I kinda try to imagine the eventual size I would hope the veggie to be, and space accordingly.  I don't want a dozen HUGE leeks, I was 40 little tender darlings so like Tim, that is the route I will wander down.  ;D

[cleo]

I wonder if some of the spacing advice goes back to the times when gardens were huge,had several gardeners and the `appearance` was important?

Now I plant much closer than suggested, but if I got those numbers an acre walled garden with rows of spaced veg would not be too hard to see ;D

Stephan.

[The gardener]

I think you are right there Cleo.

I measure nothing as such.

My spacing is worked out with the head of my rake.

It means when the stuff is growing I have plenty of room to hoe, and rake if needs be.

The other thing is; since the advent of narrow/raised beds etc, and because you don't have to wak on the planted area you can plant a lot closer.

The other thing is if you are not growing for exhibition and are only growing for the pot, there is no need to grow a number of plants to their full potential.

At one time I would grow a big 'drumhead cabbage now I just grow a little Hispi or something like that. So where I grew three cabbage before I grow 5 smaller ones and I think they taste nicer.

I find a five foot wide bed covers most of my needs this allows me four brassicas per row, about eight to ten lettuce, five potatoes to name but a few.

The other thing is I can reach the centre of the bed from either side when weeding.

And as old blue eyes would say;.....I do it my way ;D

[Plantsman.]

Lots of tolerances in gardening. Build up the fertility of the soil is a good starting point and then plant/thin out to whatever distance you have space for. The results will tell you if greater spacing in needed.  I like close spacing for such as carrots, beet, turnips and kohl rabi and pull young and tender roots.  An alternative to long rows is to plant/sow in blocks either made up of short rows or randomly. May cause some hand weeding but it's nice to ring the changes.

[Hugh_Jones]

Like the Gardener, I grow all my vegetables in raised beds 4 - 5 feet wide, and sow in rows across the beds.  I ignore the recommended spacings on the seed packets and get at least a dozen decent parsnips, onions or leeks and 20 - 25 maincrop carrots per row. Like  Tim, I set the row spacing to suit the hoe (about 8 ins. in my case). Potatoes I set at 5 early or 4 second early/early maincrop per row, but obviously the row spacing has to be great enough to allow sufficient soil between rows for earthing up.

[rdak]

Have seen the 'Square Foot Gardening' book on Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0878573410/ref=sr_aps_books_1_1/026-9170402-8846844

Looks interesting. Has anyone read it?

[Mrs Ava]

...or check out this site.....

http://journeytoforever.org/garden_sqft.html

;D

[tim]

Square foot gardening - Mel's excellent site on the net? Or HDRA do a guide, don't they?

Do agree with Cleo - champion cabbages and the like are things for show. What we all want is just enough to feed the family, with nothing left over to rot in the larder.  Fresh, tender & sweet. = Tim

[Doris_Pinks]

I have the square foot gardening book, and gave it to a friend who is also an allotmenteer for Christmas! Cos of this book, I grow my squash on a frame! Love it!  DP