How vital is spacing?

[MagicLady]

OK - here comes the first of my daft questions

How vital is spacing between plants? At the moment I've only got two raised beds, one which is about 2m x 4m with half 60cm deep and half 30cm deep. The second is about 1.5m x 4m and 30cm deep.

At the moment I've got radishes, beetroot, courgettes, and lettuces in the shallower large bed, and cabbages, carrots & parsnips in the deeper one, with runner beans, broad beans and peas in the long bed.

I'd like to plant loads more, as I'm trying to get the family eating more fruit & veg (we're nowhere near 5 a day ) but at the moment we don't have the space (or funds) for anymore beds. I've got some spuds in an old compost bag which look like they are doing well, but I'd like to squeeze some more veggies into the beds.

If I make the spacings closer, will the plants suffer or will they just grow as baby veg?

[SarzWix]

It really depends on the veg, some will cope closer together and you can just harvest them smaller. Others do need the space. Some things can be planted closer together and then spread out once other crops are harvested and more space comes available.
What are you hoping to plant?

[MagicLady]

I've got some swede and turnip seeds waiting in the wings, and I was hoping to grow some Brussels as I love them even if no-one else in the family does! I'd also like to grow some broccoli and cauliflowers.

I've not quite got to grips with what gets planted/sown when yet - I'm relying in the seed packets lol.

[HayleyB]

Your courgettes will take over which will suit the lettuces as they like shade anyway BUT radishes will attract cabbage whites so be careful there. Carrots and snips should be fine as you can thin those as babies to eat leaving some to mature but the cabbages will get chomped by caterpillars if you don't scrutinise them daily best cover the lot with enviromesh and then you'll sort the carrot fly too.

Swede and Caulis I've given up with they are an absolute nightmare.........

Turnips suffer from pillars too but you could try them in containers if you lack room, brocolli need a bit of space too, my PSBs have about 12-18" between them....

[MagicLady]

Do the cabbage collars work? I've got 12 small plants in the ground at the moment, and was looking at getting collars for each of them.

Must add enviromesh to the shopping list - thanks for the tips

[Florence Fennel]

Do the cabbage collars work? I've got 12 small plants in the ground at the moment, and was looking at getting collars for each of them.

Must add enviromesh to the shopping list - thanks for the tips

I've always made my own collars from thick card and they work. You can also use some net curtains (tight weave) that can be picked up cheaply in charity shops in place of fleece.

[MagicLady]

Cool - thanks for the tips Florence. I've got some old nets here Off to find some card!

[Two_Sheds]

I was hoping to grow some Brussels ... also like to grow some broccoli and cauliflowers.

these are BIG plants (3 foot tall, 3 foot wide) and are in the ground for about 9 months.
Do you really want to lose that much space?

[MagicLady]

these are BIG plants (3 foot tall, 3 foot wide) and are in the ground for about 9 months.
Do you really want to lose that much space?

Hmmmm - perhaps I'll stick to Asda

[squashman]

They are big plants but I plant little things like spring onions and radishes between them, seems to have been reasonably successful so far.