Allotments 4 All

I'm just changing the plot about. At the moment the five beds run East-West but they will be converted to one big square bed.
Does it make any difference what way the lines of crop run?

Neil

Yes, because of the way the sun moves. Thats why you plant east west and put the tall things at the north end.

I've put all the fruit free's and shed at the north end because of shading, most of the other plot holders have their's South-North but I think that is because of the main paths run either side. Mine is at the very West end of the allotment.

Neil

I agree with Lincsyokel2! Mine you if the plot gets no shade, like mine,  then it's not so critical providing plants are not shaded out by others.

The usual recommendation is to plant the rows North/South, so that all the crops get an equal share of the sun's rays. There is some logic in putting the tallest trees at the North end of the plot facing South, providing you are not shading your neighbour.

usually leaves facing upwards

I've always planted accross my beds.  That happens to be east-west, but that's just because our plots run north-south.  However, I wanted to be a bit more artistic last year and now I'm planting diagonally, though it does make digging a bit more awkward.

I also read somewhere to plant North-South, that's why I thought i would check to see what others do.
My fruit/shed does not shade anyone as there are tree's on the edge of my plot to the West and North.

Quote from: PAULW on April 05, 2010, 19:57:32
usually leaves facing upwards

I thought someone would post something like that when I started the thread ;D

Neil

one of the main criteria for successful plant growth is LIGHT. for maximum light to reach your plants, your rows should run N - S. the plants then get max light available all day ;)

and yes to the green bit up!!!

Quote from: tonybloke on April 05, 2010, 20:14:22
one of the main criteria for successful plant growth is LIGHT. for maximum light to reach your plants, your rows should run N - S. the plants then get max light available all day ;)

and yes to the green bit up!!!

North South? How do you arrive at that conclusion?

I don't think it can make any difference.  Think about an infinitely large field planted in rows.  It's infinitely large so no one plant is any different from any other, and that's true whatever the orientation or their rows.

rows of plants in a north-south direction get more early morning light, and also more afternoon light. this is when light levels are low (as is the sun)
runner beans in an east-west orientation would get  no sun at all on the north side?

Quote from: tonybloke on April 05, 2010, 20:51:03
rows of plants in a north-south direction get more early morning light, and also more afternoon light. this is when light levels are low (as is the sun)
runner beans in an east-west orientation would get  no sun at all on the north side?

Cant say ive ever noticed a difference, i always plant east west.

Quote from: lincsyokel2 on April 05, 2010, 20:55:25

Quote from: tonybloke on April 05, 2010, 20:51:03
rows of plants in a north-south direction get more early morning light, and also more afternoon light. this is when light levels are low (as is the sun)
runner beans in an east-west orientation would get  no sun at all on the north side?

Cant say ive ever noticed a difference, i always plant east west.

   Doh!!   if you always plant east west, then it's obvious you won't have noticed a difference!!

Quote from: tonybloke on April 05, 2010, 20:58:20

Quote from: lincsyokel2 on April 05, 2010, 20:55:25

Quote from: tonybloke on April 05, 2010, 20:51:03
rows of plants in a north-south direction get more early morning light, and also more afternoon light. this is when light levels are low (as is the sun)
runner beans in an east-west orientation would get  no sun at all on the north side?

Cant say ive ever noticed a difference, i always plant east west.

Doh!!   if you always plant east west, then it's obvious you won't have noticed a difference!!

Well you would, according to you, the plants would grow lopsided to the south.   

Quote from: lincsyokel2 on April 05, 2010, 22:05:23

Quote from: tonybloke on April 05, 2010, 20:58:20

Quote from: lincsyokel2 on April 05, 2010, 20:55:25

Quote from: tonybloke on April 05, 2010, 20:51:03
rows of plants in a north-south direction get more early morning light, and also more afternoon light. this is when light levels are low (as is the sun)
runner beans in an east-west orientation would get  no sun at all on the north side?

Cant say ive ever noticed a difference, i always plant east west.

Doh!!   if you always plant east west, then it's obvious you won't have noticed a difference!!

Well you would, according to you, the plants would grow lopsided to the south.   

yep, get better beans on south end of the row!!

We plant in blocks, so some are N/S and some are E/W.   8) 8) 8) 8)

Quote from: asbean on April 05, 2010, 22:35:40
We plant in blocks, so some are N/S and some are E/W.   8) 8) 8) 8)

I tried planting vertically to save space but only the top plant did any good.

Quote from: Unwashed on April 05, 2010, 20:46:30
I don't think it can make any difference.  Think about an infinitely large field planted in rows.  It's infinitely large so no one plant is any different from any other, and that's true whatever the orientation or their rows.

That was my way of thinking, at the end of the day I guess it does not make too much difference in this country.

Neil

in the tropics it makes no difference, but in northern (and southern) climes it makes a huge difference.
Q. which sides of your glasshouse get the low-laying sun in early morning and late afternoon??

try this for youself, take a box, place it on a table, and replicate the passage of the sun with a torch shining on the box.