I'm using raised beds for the first time this year and I'm becoming confused about spacing the rows. Dr Hessayon says planting can be closer in a raised bed. The packets recommend up to 16" apart for some crops. If I follow the packet instructions my small raised beds will not hold much. Anybody have any ideas on this? ???
The main difference is same distance between plants on all sides rather than in rows with more between the rows than the plants. This is what I do when bed planting - I just plant them in blocks rather than rows.
I always plant a little closer than the 'experts' advise, but not too much.
To get the best out of the raised bed try inter-cropping.
That means growing two crops together, fast and slow ones.
For example, the cabbages take longer to grow so put lettuce or radish in between. You will have eaten the lettuce before the cabbages need all the space you left for them.
I've sown turnips and kohl rabi between the cabbage, etc, plus the chinese leaves, they suffer from the same pests and it uses the space up ;D
A very significant factor is the fertility of the soil....if its rich and boosted with compost every winter then they can go closer