As part of my garden-planning activity, I find it necessary to consider what I will be growing. This really is first priority - from there, I will be able to figure out what I can do with my space and if I really need additional garden space outside of my property.
Why is it important to consider space? Proper spacing of plants - vegetable, flowers, trees and shrubs included - is important to allow allow air circulation, light penetration and room for growth.
The first consideration is to allow enough room for the plant at maturity. Generally speaking, follow directions that come with the seed or plant. This will help ensure that there is plenty of space for the full-grown plant and fruit. Some seeds allow for planting densely, but thinning after sprouts emerge from the soil. Some of the vining plants take up a lot of space at maturity. I really enjoyed growing my watermelons this past year, but they required more space than I actually allowed for. If I were to plant multiple watermelon hills next year, I believe I would allow for a circle extending five feet outward from each plant. As I recall, the package stated three feet between plants, but it seems that ten feet between plants would have been appropriate. As you may have seen with my watermelon post, the vines were prolific and took over other areas of the garden!
I love veggies and especially from my own garden. And I have my favorites both to grow and to eat. But also there are various new things I will want to try. My favorite eating vegetable is the tomato. I love most varieties and enjoy growing them, as well. But the most fun I have had actually growing a vegetable was this past season when I had watermelons that took over a lot of my garden space. In August, they were increasing in size daily and almost as I watched! To me, zucchini is also fun to grow because they are such prolific producers. Other veggies I might want to grow next year include garlic, herbs, carrots, pumpkins, sweet corn, lettuce, spinach, snow peas, peppers, potatoes, and radishes. Probably I will discover others that I want to try, as well.
From one of my previous posts, I had to figure out what space I would have available for this coming growing season. I have decided to add to my garden space in our yard, thus sacrificing some of the kids' grassy open back yard. I am adding about 300 square feet by turning over a space of about 10 feet by 30 feet. I went to the Gopher State One Call website (http://gopherstateonecall.org/) to submit a plan and they efficiently coordinated marking of all utilities in the area. I may still look for additional garden space, but this will at least allow for some vining crops (only three of those watermelon vines, though!)
So, in planning my garden, I know the importance of space and so far some favorites that I want to grow. Now the detailed planning can begin - I'll browse some seed catalogs and make my specific plan.
