Plotting Your Garden

What is a Garden Plan?  It is just as it sounds. I use a visual aid to help me plot out location, rows, layout, and sun exposure. I have previously discussed the importance of location and the shade or sun factors to your location. Your garden plan can be hand drawn (which is what I use each year), a list, or you can use computer generated images. I construct my plan to the space which I will be using. I save my plans from year to year which aids in crop rotation in subsequent years. Crop rotation is moving your plants around and not planting them in the same place year after year. Here is your own free printable plot planner.

Layout and design options are one of the most important factors in creating your garden.  A layout plan will help you determine what kind of plants will fit in your garden and if you have sufficient space for those plants.  This will prevent overcrowding of plants. For example, a pepper plant basically grows up and not so much out. A pumpkin plant needs lots of space as it is a vining plant that crawls along the ground.

Below are some of the most common layout designs.

Row cropping is the most basic design which are straight and long running north to south.   They can run east to west however you can get too much shade from the plants in the preceding row.  I currently have rows set up and they are east to west. Although east to west is not ideal, I plan to make sure tall plants are strategically placed to invoke the least amount of shade on neighboring rows.  My location did not allow for a north to south set up so you have to plan.

My garden has done well over the years but planning is key in an east to west design. For example, grow tall items at the north end of the east to west design such as corn and beans to keep them from shading smaller plants.  Medium size plants like tomatoes and squash can be in the center. Smaller plants like carrots, radishes, and beets should be grown at the south end of the east to west row.

Use paths between your rows to allow access for maneuvering around the area while weeding, watering, and harvesting. This also will lesson the chance you may trample and step on the plants.  You can cover your paths with some type of garden sheeting then cover it with a mulching material. This helps suppress weeds. I use straw which then can be moved by hand around plants to help them retain water. Living in Texas we have periods of very hot dry weather therefore, mulching while not necessary is a huge benefit.

Vertical layouts are useful if space is limited.  They are designed for those who have little space so a trellis can be used.  You have to train vine plants and it can be done. I plan to use this method this year even though I have a large garden space.  Cucumbers, tomatoes, and squash can be trained to climb a trellis to free up valuable gardening space. Cucumbers are straighter and less likely to be eaten by pests when grown vertically.  I had a turtle in my garden at one time. The turtle loved cucumbers and routinely ate on them. I lost an entire crop before I realized what was eating the cucumbers. A trellis will also keep the vegetables off the ground and be less likely to rot.  You have probably seen climbing beans or peas on a trellis. A trellis can be easily made and they can be a frame, teepees, or sturdy structures fitted with twine or a type of lattice wire.

Four Square, square foot, or block garden layout are all methods which are smaller and these methods increase yields over a traditional row design.  Plants are closer together and it eliminates a surplus for big walkways, thus maximizing garden space. The plants are grouped together densely but careful attention to overcrowding reduces air circulation and can promote disease.  The walk space should be minimal.

Container gardening has become a popular option for growing vegetables if you don’t have a backyard or plot of land available. If your gardening is limited by insufficient space or an unsuitable area container gardening is for you.  Plants can be grown on your porch, balcony, deck, patio, or even a window sill. I have my herbs such as mint, parsley, and sage in patio containers.

This option of gardening is simple to plant and maintain especially for first time gardeners. Ready access to containers will allow management of all aspects of vegetable gardening easier.  Container gardening is a great way to introduce children to the rewards of vegetable gardening and what a great learning environment. Almost any vegetable that will grow is a standard backyard garden can be grown in a container and do well. Best suited for container gardening are vegetables which may be easily transplanted. You can germinate your own plants or purchase transplants from your local nursery.

Proper watering is essential for a successful container garden.  Generally one watering per day is adequate however, poor drainage can kill the plants as they become waterlogged so good draining soil is essential The plants will not get adequate oxygen and the plants will die from lack of such. When watering container plants it is best to avoid wetting the foliage since wet leaves will encourage plant diseases. Large plants need large containers because they need lots of space to grown and most of the roots need room. Also the bigger the container the more plants you can grow.

Care Tips for Container Gardening

• Clay pots are common and more attractive than plastic.  Clay pots dry out quicker versus a plastic pot which retains moisture better.  You can insert a plastic pot into a slightly larger pot to help with moisture retention.

• Black pots absorb heat when in the sun thus drying out plants quick.

• Growing plants in pots require more watering than in ground plants.  They need to be watered up to 2 times a day. On hot dry days you can place a small pot inside a larger one and fill the space with moss or newspaper to help keep the plants cool.

• Hanging baskets can be used however, they need to be eye level for easy maintained and harvested.

• Add small stones or gravel to the bottom of the pot to aid in drainage.

• Feed container plants at least 2 times a month following the instructions on the label.

• Place on containers where they will receive maximum sunlight and good ventilation.

• Do not use soil from the garden as it is too heavy, can become waterlogged, and brings disease and insects with it.  Choose a quick-draining and lightweight soil, use compost alone, or use compost with the soil mix.

• Supporting climbing vegetables with trellises, stakes, netting , twine or cages is recommended.

• Containers should be places close to a water source with at least 5 hours of sun a day.  Excessive wind will dry out a container quickly so this factor needs to be considered when choosing a site.

There is a garden option for everyone.  Whether it is row cropping, vertical, container, or block type gardens, the enjoyment of gardening can be accomplished in many different forms.  Any cozy corner can become your garden space.

The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul. — Alfred Austin