Rows, blocks - how does your garden grow?

[Eyren]

I thought it might be interesting to compare sowing/planting styles, since we have different approaches. So, how do you grow your veg, and why?

I generally plant in blocks, unless it's something that needs protection (e.g. insect mesh for brassicas), in which case I grow in a row so that I can easily cover them with a ready-made tunnel. And herbs and companion plants of course tend to be dotted around wherever they're needed!

[-pat m]

As an armature I just thought about rows but sine joining the forum I have started to use blocks - some of the threads discussing it convinced me that was the way to go. I now find myself looking at the rows I planted with irritation it’s blocks all the way for me from now on!

Great blog by the way

Regards
Pat

[Snadger]

Started of trad, then went to beds with rows,then blocks and now ornamental kitchen garden higgledy piggledy!

[zazen999]

I try to get things in rows or blocks, but end up sticking things here there and everywhere.

[Rossa]

I'm a newbie to veg growing too. We're going for blocks cos my Dad says it's better for any that need pollination and bees and beneficial insects don't fly in straight lines.....well I guess not. We're also trying companion planting with herbs etc to try and deter pests and will plant in between with salads, radishes, spring onions etc to use up the gaps. Hope it goes well for you.

[lynda66]

i broadcast sow most things in 1m blocks ... carrots parsnips onions and beetroot do well .... it doesn't work with swede, they need more room .... the onions can be transplanted when they start to swell if necessary for bigger onions

you can just leave everything to grow and they push each other apart ... peas go in a couple of inches apart .... squash/courgettes etc 12-18 inches abart, grown up a frame.

and no wasted space

[HayleyB]

Umm, well I've been a row person although I've blocked the peas, and reading the above I'm gonna change my strategy and go all blocks methinks

[FionaH]

Much like Zazen, I start off in rows then fill in the gaps

[RobintheBobin]

So is a block a broadcast sow over a 'block' of space' then? Sorry being a bit dim today (only on second mug of coffee) but was interested in knowing more.

I've always started off with rows and then added things anywhere and everywhere and this year my potatoes are going in the flower bed!!

[Eyren]

Great blog by the way

Thanks - I've been a bit remiss in posting lately, as I've been busy doing the actual gardening (!), plus I wanted to update the blogging software on my server. Done now (though the search needs fixing), and I'm gradually moving some content, like my ever-expanding seed list, from the blog to "static" pages.

So is a block a broadcast sow over a 'block' of space' then? Sorry being a bit dim today (only on second mug of coffee) but was interested in knowing more.

Sort of - though it depends on the plant. The usual suggestion with block planting is that you average the row spacing and plant spacing given on your seed packet, then aim to have your plants that distance apart all round. So for example the shallot guidelines that I looked up (bought loose, so no packet) said 30cm between rows and 10cm between bulbs, so I planted mine 20cm apart each way.

For smaller seeds, you can broadcast them thinly over the block and then thin to the required spacing.

[Two_Sheds]

So is a block a broadcast sow over a 'block' of space' then?

Broadcast sowing is to widely scatter the seeds, for a natural affect (most often used for flowers).

Block planting is like this:

x x x x x x x x x
. x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x x
. x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x x

[Safhyre]

I have to say that I have planted in rows, but only because I dont have a clue of what I am doing...perhaps next year (2nd) I will try different options

[StephenH]

Blocks...ish. I've sown some in rows, but will probably use blocks from now on, and I'm putting some stuff, notably garlic, in other parts of the garden, not in the veg. plots.

[Growem]

A combination of blocks and rows. I use netting to support my tall peas and that's easier in a row than a block. Kale and broccoli went in a block over winter, as did the corn, strawberries, dwarf beans and tomatoes last year. However, the tomatoes were some of the first plants around the allotments to succumb to blight last year, so I might try rows instead this time.

I also do rows-in-a-row planting, for lack of a better term. I'll have a wide, long row and then plant across the width as I go along. My garlic for instance. So it sort of looks like this:

x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x
x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x
x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x.....x

Not sure if that's traditional rows or not, so I thought I'd point it out.

[Snadger]

Broadcast sowing is to widely scatter the seeds, for a natural affect (most often used for flowers).

Block planting is like this:

x x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x x

Yep, when I try to add a diagram it won't stay staggered.

I know what you mean TS, I've always taken block planting to be of a staggered formation i.e. nigh on equal distances between each plant in all directions , including diagonally!

Maybe someone more IT profficient than I can demonstrate!