Higher Garden Yield Ideas

Take Advantage of Your Space


as I design raised gardens it is with the thoughts in mind smallest space to = highest yield. At the same time making all spaces in the bed available and convienient to be reached. The average human arm is at least 24" - 34" long therefore most beds are designed to be about 4' - 6' wide. Stretching in the garden is good exercise for those who can.
My thoughts were use this method when planting a row garden, more growing spaces less walking areas. Wider rows that can yield more and have advantages of thicker producing plants that can help shade out competing weed plants, no sun to the ground no germination.
Wider rows just wide enough to be accessable, with adequate soaker hoses for the most conservative and deep watering, you too can feed your family "Well" and still have some to share, and put up for leaner times.
Reduce the vining plants in the beds and plant what will be easily replanted in succession plantings. Anything that will be semi vining go vertical with sturdy supports. Optimal plants to use: tomatoes, yellow & zucchini squash, corn, bush beans, peppers, eggplants. Vining plants to go vertical with: Pole Beans, Cucumbers, small melons.
Pumpkins, watermelons, and the like will take up too much space they ramble too much and really are long season crops. For novelty, grow them in a special place away from your New Trial Wide Row Garden.

A tip on watering, beside the use of a soaker hose. Watch your weather, if rain is coming soon, hold off, rainwater is better for your plants. Also do not over fertilize, if you have prepared your soil in advance there should be sufficient nutrients for the planted crops, over fertilization especially on things like squash and cucumber can attract pests.

More for your money is the key, find sources for local organic fertilizers like cow, goat, rabbit, chicken, just be sure to allow them to age. I like to add them after the main growing season is finished, I till them into the soil in their new start and allow them to age in the garden. When you till in the spring the soil looks amazing, I am always so surprised even with all the work put in the previous year.
If you live in a small town you might even talk your neighbors into dropping off their fall leaves, they are also a great free soil additive. I am not a fan of lawn clippings, they do contain seeds and fighting more grass is not in my fun list. Also they really do not provide much in the way of nutrients, they really do more good left in your lawn to mulch and feed. It is a myth that this creates thatch, over fertilization and overwatering is the culprit for this problem.

Have a Green Day ~V