long rows or blocks?

[MattD]

As I'm slowly clearing more ground on my plot, I am planning to have a bed for peas and broad beans over winter.   My question is, should I go for long rows of about 20ft of each or go for blocks of each type of veg?  Does it make any difference to things like peas and beans? Are the spacings critical for pollination or anything or is this purely an aesthetic choice?  I haven't got raised beds and the ground's just cleared so I'm totally flexible.

I've never really done winter stuff before, previously having been only a summer veg grower with toms and runners.

Matt

[MattD]

[katynewbie]

 :-\

I have wondered about this. Have grown in rows this year, easy to hoe along them etc and looks nice when (if ever) it's weed free. Old guys on our site nod appreciatively cos it's "how a plot is supposed to look"

I deviated with peas and broad beans though, and grew them in a bit of a block. It helped to stop the beans blowing about, but was a b***er to weed.

I think I will be doing more blocks next year, suspect that the resulting ground cover will make less weeding.

Will be interested to see other opinions though, am prepared to think long and hard about it over the winter!

;)

[supersprout]

Hi Katy and Matt,

Interesting q isn't it? If you read Pauline Pears (Beds), there have been some serious experiments about spacing for plants to maximise yield. However, if you've only limited time to cultivate the plot I believe the 'ideal' should be a small compromise with your preferred method/ease of cultivation ::)

I grew most things in blocks i.e. offset on my beds, last year.
Upside - more crop per block, self-supporting, good pollination
Downside - trickier to weed than rows >:(

Having converted to thick mulch, I want to be able to put a good layer round the plants - a gap of 9" is about right. Soooo, this year I'm planting and sowing quite closely in rows about 9 inches apart, instead of offset. Apologies for reposting this pic but it shows the new layout for leeks, and the space for mulch which almost eliminates weeding. That's really important - if there are five or six leeks less in the bed, that seems a small price to pay IMO!



If plants need more than 9" between them, like toms, sweetcorn etc., they can still be planted in a block! :o

[Robert_Brenchley]

I use beds for most things, but rows for peas as you have to be able to get at them to pick the pods!

[silly billy]

Got to be rows as its easier to weed except sweetcorn of course.

[saddad]

Apart from wind pollination like Sweet Corn it really is just personal preference... we mix and match on our five plots except the Pottager style one behind the house..
;D