Advice please on this patch plan

[brumbird]

Hey folks

Ive been tinkering with the plans for the veg patch and have come up with this - does it look ok? Fence behind the peas/bean/corn/squash and fence faces south west.

[Bigmallly]

It looks ok to me as long as you can reach the 4 foot width.

[Containergardener]

I'm clueless but looks impressive to me.
How do you know where to put things? Other than some things shouldn't be with some things
Think I've a lot to learn.

[brumbird]

Yes i realised too late that i would need access! I am hoping that i can put some stepping stones about and squeeze between on the slower growing beds. If it all gets too big and weedy then i will take stuff out and make proper paths

[Lumpy]

It drove me mad trying (and failing) to make a plan of what to put where. I don't bother now, even though I make mistakes every year.

The only thing I can say is - have you left yourself enough room between your veggies to get to the stuff at the back without treading on something?

Whay type of squash are you thinking about because even the Table King I grow, which is classed as a bush takes up alot of room. If you are thinking about anything that spreads too far it (notice I only said 1) will gallop over your whole bed.

Brocoli and sprouts also need quite a bit of room.

Other Grapes will be able to advise you better than I can as all my bits and bobs are grown in either very small raised beds or buckets as our garden is tiny.

Sorry I wrote this lot while others were answering you!

Either way WELL DONE you!

[brumbird]

I dont really CG - thats why i am askin these good people

As for squash - ive heard that you can grow them as climbers if the fruit is supported so am going to try it!

[Bigmallly]

As for squash - ive heard that you can grow them as climbers if the fruit is supported so am going to try it!

A good time to include some paths as you don't want to be reaching over to tie the squashes in.

[Bigmallly]

I'd be tempted to have 4 beds each 4ft x 4ft with 1ft paths in between. Will make life a lot easier for you.

[brumbird]

Done away with the turnips and regigged - this looks more organised and accessible. I may yet reduce the sprout patch as i really only want enough for christmas dinner!

[veggiechicken]

If the beans and peas are to grow against the fence you could still have a run the length of the fence but stop your access paths about 1-2' short of the fence.

[Guest]

I would be tempted to grow the squash at the bottom of the sweetcorn depending what squash it is. Also have two or three radish/lettuce patches so you sow 1, grow 1, harvest 1 through out the season. Just thinking out loud

[muddled]

I think it looks good...but it is going to be very crowded!

Growing the squash upwards will help.
How many sweetcorn plants are you planning to have?

You can also use time to save you more room.
For example, your brussel sprouts will take a long time to get to point where they need lots of space so you could have your sprout area as one of your lettuce beds for the first part of the season (just don't pick the sprout leaves by mistake)
And some of your beans or peas can actually grow up your sweetcorn.
You can start things off in pots, transplanting them later when you harvest something else,
You can grow things entirely in pots but move them from area to area as space requirements change (I'm doing this with carrots this year instead of having a rootbed)

And you do know that gardening never goes to plan anyway right?

[brumbird]

Thanks all - the idea of stopping the path a foot short is inspired this is a square foot styley patch so i thonk part of the rationale is to pack it in to discourage weeds. I could try growing beans up the sweetcorn - i just didnt want to put too much pressure on the soil. Sfg suggess two corn per square so 18 corn plants - is this all a bit ambitious?

[brumbird]

Have reduced the quick croppers a bit so i can succession sow and reuse the space once stuff has been harvested

[Snoop Puss]

My biggest headache in one of my patches, where the beds are all different sizes, shapes and directions, is keeping to a rotation plan. It took me a while to get to grips with ensuring that I didn't have overwintering onions, for example, in beds where according to my plan I'd be planting broad beans and peas in the spring.

So I'm with Bigmally, as much as anything because it will make it easier for you to plan what you're going to put where next year. That said, your rejigged plan looks better in that respect than your first plan.