A well laid out vegetable garden is easier to maintain, increases the yield and makes the best use of space. No matter how small or large your garden plot, your garden layout should allow you to access all your plants easily, provide both sun and shade, allow for companion planting and plant rotation. Though there are no hard and fast rules as to how you arrange your garden, there are some tried and true methods that will help you achieve a bountiful garden.
Features
Vegetable gardens are laid out in rows and beds. Rows can be single rows or wide rows. Within the rows themselves, you can use raised beds or small hills. Beds, though, can also be "boxed" beds. These are raised beds that are enclosed on each side by wood planks or large planters or boxes placed strategically around the garden space. Organizing rows and beds allows you to maximize yields. Because vegetable plants differ in their soil, fertilization and watering requirements, as well as their growing seasons, you need to arrange beds to accommodate differing needs.
Types
Single rows are traditional and practical for the large garden. For crops such as carrots, onions, celery and lettuce, the single row allows for easy access and harvest. Wide rows allow for broadcast seeding, in which you plant by spreading the seed across the row. This works well for peppers, cabbages and bush beans, as well as herbs. Wide rows also work well for companion planting. Raised beds work best for gardens with less than perfect soil conditions or if you plant a variety of vegetables requiring varying soil needs. The square foot method is useful for small garden spaces. For square foot gardening, you would divide the space into square foot sections; each section is then planted, using broadcast seeding, with a particular vegetable. You can use raised beds, boxed beds or flat soil planting for square foot gardening.
Function
Begin by planning your garden on paper. Make a list of the vegetables you want to grow, noting how much space each plant will require and its specific needs. Sketch out the garden on paper and make several copies. Draw out your options: single row planting, wide row planting, square foot sections or boxed beds. You may find that you can use a mix of these options, depending on the size of your garden and what you want to grow. For example, you may have one long section in which single rows work well. In the corners, you could use square foot sections and wide rows filling in the middle parts. It depends on the shape and size of your space.
Considerations
When planning your layout, consider trellised plants as well. Vegetables such as cucumbers, zucchini, snap beans and squash take up far less space and are less susceptible to pests when they have vertical support. Place trellises to provide shade for those vegetable plants that require fewer hours of sunlight. Companion planting works well in any garden layout. Common companion plants to ward off pests are marigolds and garlic. Other pairings include basil with tomato plants, chives with carrots, rosemary with beans and horseradish with potatoes. Your layout, then, should take into consideration the use of herbs within rows and beds. How you bring water to your garden is an important part of the layout. Drip systems and sprinklers should be installed before you plant and the systems should be compatible with the type of rows and beds you use.
Prevention/Solution
Vegetable gardening involves more than planting and picking. To keep your garden growing, you need to feed, water, mulch and weed. You need to thin the plants and control the pests. When planning the layout of your garden, don't try to fill every square foot with seed. Allow for crop rotation so soil can rest and renew itself. Leave space for a composter and your garden tools. Create a small space for a bench and table so you can relax in your garden as well. Keeping your zeal in check will prevent you from becoming overworked and overwhelmed. Your garden layout should make gardening more of a joy and less of a chore. If you need a landscaper visit el paso landscaping
