How dense should I plant my vegetable garden?
Question:FYI, am referring to plants per square foot.
Is there a rule to follow when planting a vegetable garden? I'd like to know how much is too much.
Answers:
There are usually guidelines on seed packets, but I'm assuming you are planting actual plants. There are a few sites on square foot gardening, which is really about getting the most out of a limited space garden. Here are the guidelines from these sites. You should check them out, the links are the source list.
Lettuce (4-5 inches between plants)
Broccoli (18 inches between plants)
Carrots (4 inches between plants)
Cauliflower (16 to 18 inches between plants)
Cabbage (16-18 inches between plants)
Celery (10 inches between plants)
Brussels Sprouts (14 to 16 inches between plants)
Bush Green Beans (4 inches between plants, 6 inches between rows)
Pole Lima Beans (4 inches between plants)
Corn (11 inches between plants)
Cucumbers (4-6 inches between plants)
Onions (4 inches between plants and 6 inches between rows)
Green Peppers and Hot Peppers (10 to 12 inches between plants)
Bush Tomatoes (2.5 feet between plants)
If you know what plants you are wanting in your garden, you can search for those particular plants, and can usually find space saver hybrids for growing in smaller spaces or containers.
Good luck with your garden, I hope it turns out well.
Very small shrubs should be planted about a foot apart, but usually shrubs are planted about 18 inches apart.
As deep as it takes.
Sorry, not much of a gardener.
well you dont say how big a garden your working with or what you are planting. But most plants are happy with planting the seeds anywhere from a few inches to a food apart think the smaller the plant the closer you can plant rule.peas close beans six niches corn one foot or more... has for the amount you plant or how many rows depends on how much of that you want... good rule would be two rolls of what you like the most of. plant most everything a inch deep if a seed a little deeper if a plant like tomatoes or peppers
I do not plant my vegetable plants in a dense manner. You can create problems that way. They will have to compete for sun, water and nutrients in the soil, plus you want to give them enough room to reach their full potential in order to give you the maximum amount of produce. Seed packets and the vegetable plants you buy usually tell you on the package how far apart to plant them. If not, ask the nursery employees. I have been gardening for 35 years and always use this method. It is also easier to cultivate and weed if you can get around the plants without risking stepping on them. Tomato plants need plenty of room to grow and space for you to put cages or some sort of support for them so they don't fall over when they are laden with their fruit. Too close together makes harvesting maddening! Make notes in a journal in the fall as to how the garden did and what you'd change or improve on in the following year. Then you'll be set for future gardening.
Jersey Girl is 'spot on'.
You want space around your plants for sunlight and air circulation. Minimize your problems that way. Also, it'll be easier to harvest.
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