Let’s take a look at some of those options. There are a number of ways that you can increase your territory, make chores and caretaking easier, or even plant vegetables that don’t fit well in the existing conditions. Adaptations can also be planned out in this step. If a lack of available space in your yard restricts the size of your garden, get creative and employ some of the many methods available to you to expand beyond the borders of your beds. With this list of veggies (and fruits!) and the layout and conditions of your plot in mind, you should do some research to determine which varieties make the best companions. You can also make use of wet zones by planting perennial plants such as berry bushes or asparagus that will enjoy the extra moisture. If you have some shady zones, you can include leafy greens and root vegetables, herbs, and brassicas that will enjoy the cool shade for part of the day.īright, sunny spots are perfect for nightshades such as tomatoes and peppers, as well as squash and beans. Next, use the data that you’ve collected to decide which of the varieties you’d prefer to grow will fit your specific circumstances. Once you have an idea of the spread of each, you can better decide which to include and how many of each you’ll need to provide for each person that will be enjoying your yield.įor example, if you don’t have enough space to add more than one pumpkin vine to your plot, you may want to choose something else instead, since you won’t get much produce from one vine. And consider height as well, as tall plants can overshadow shorter ones growing in close proximity. Research the mature size, or spread, of each type so you can plan for the amount of square footage each will need. Start by making a list of the vegetables you enjoy eating, and consider what percentage of your total diet you’d like to be able to pick from the garden. In order to improve the fertility of your soil, you will need to mix in a lot of organic matter such as plant/animal manure, compost, mulch, etc. One of the primary considerations to make here pertains to size – how much area will each type of produce need to allow for adequate room as it matures? Deciding What to PlantĪfter you have the lay of the land, you can decide which crops you’d like to grow. Now, you just need to figure out what you want to grow. Use the grid to create a scale model of your space so you can play with different arrangements. Plain graph paper can also be used, although most journals include graph pages for layout planning. Choose one that you can use for several consecutive years as this will help you to identify patterns and trends such as pest infestations, crop successes and failures, and changes that you can make to improve your outcome at harvest time. You can find some of our favorites in this roundup.Ī good journal is indispensable. This way, “Your family can engage with the garden, and you can see what’s growing or what the plants need as you walk by,” says Bryn Bird, a farmer at Bird’s Haven Farms in central Ohio.The best way to organize all of this information is by writing it all down in a garden journal. Many people relegate veggie plots to backyard corners however, it’s important to situate your garden in an area that is truly part of your everyday life. To start, survey your yard for three things: proximity, drainage, and sunshine. When it comes to vegetable garden layouts, whether you’re a gardening novice or a masterful horticulturist, gardens that are both aesthetically pleasing and fruitful are well within reach. Brie Arthur, a bestselling author and horticulturist, notes, “The American way of vegetable gardening is often without design consideration at all.” According to the experts we spoke to, it doesn’t have to be that way. And don’t worry, there’s no need to choose between beauty and productivity. Look out your window: You may see frozen ground or wet, early-spring weather, but believe it or not, now is the time to start planning your vegetable garden layout.
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