No matter what size you vegetable garden you have to plan where you are going to grow different vegetables. This applies to you, whether you've got a couple of acres or a couple of raised beds. You need to plan! I'll go through a few examples of how to plan a vegetable garden so don't panic!
The layout of your plot is very important! Not only do you want to ensure that you make good use of the space available to you, but you also need to make it easy to work and navigate. You want your vegetable garden to provide each one of your crops the perfect conditions for growing. And that is why you really need the 'low down' on How to Plan a Vegetable Garden.
First of all, Beds or Rows?
When it comes to planning your garden design, one of the first things you need to decide is whether you are going to grow in rows or in beds. There are advantages to both of these which I will take a look at for you. I personally use raised beds.
So first of all, Why use Rows?
I would say the main advantage of using rows in your vegetable garden is that it is a sensible use of the space. Traditionally, vegetable gardens have been planted in tows as they are neat. It's an incredibly efficient use of the space as you can easily rotate crops and also, nothing is permanent. The rows can be changed, the places you plant crops can be changed... Everything can be change.
The problem with planting in rows is that you will often find you have to walk along the narrow gaps in between crops to look after and then harvest your product. The process of constantly walking up and down your rows can compact the soil and break up the very important structure of the soil.
So now, Why use Beds?
Laying out a permanent bedding system with paths in between will keep you off the areas that you are growing in. The beds are solely for growing and with the paths around each bed, there's no need to walk on the beds as all of the bed will quite easily be accessible no matter what.
You can make the paths really obvious by laying proper paving slabs, turfing them or laying down some bark or stones. You just need to make it really clear. This is where you walk and this is where you grow.
As mentioned ALREADY, I opt for beds. I just find them far more manageable and that's what I want from a garden. I don't want to be spending hour upon hour just managing the plot and deciding where to put the rows. My beds are perfect for what I want and I can walk the whole way around them and reach everything I will ever need to.
Short and sweet this article was, but I really do hope it helped you out. Just go for what is right for you.
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