These are the two layout options that I am trying to decide between. I have listed the vegetables that I plan on growing below. I am planning on using cattle panel arches for trellises and stringing up the tomatoes. I am in zone 8a. Any recommendations on layout and/or companion planting is appreciated. Thank you!
Broccoli, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers, zucchini, squash, green beans, watermelon, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, lettuce & herbs.
by dushipps
10 Comments
Because you have a door, I am assuming these are fenced in? If so, the 1 foot you have between the sides of the 4×8 beds and the fence isn’t enough. You imagine that you can squeeze in there, but plants like to grow over the sides of the bed. You will be pushing your way through plants every time you go along there. I have 2′ between my beds and it is barely enough, if I were redoing it I would increase it, even if it meant smaller beds.
If you are trying to maximize growing space, you could push those 4×8 beds out to the sides, along the fence. This would give a nice, wide aisle in the middle, but it would be hard to reach across the beds. To make that easier, place 2x4s across the beds and then you can lean your weight on while reaching across. This assumes you are physically capable of doing so.
If maximizing growing space isn’t important and ease of access is, go with the 4×4 beds.
I have a few questions. What kind of yield are you looking for?
I would do the 4 x 4 if I only wanted one tomato plant, and would do the 4 x 8 if I wanted 3 or 4 tomato plants.
You may choose not to do crop rotation though, I always prioritize it.
With crop rotation, here’s what I would do….
4 4×8.
Bed 1: 4 tomatoes, 6 peppers, 15 onions. Only do this amount if you are willing to really manage the plants. If you don’t want to manage them, reduce the numbers. Smaller basil variety on the edges or in gaps. Could do more peppers and take onions if you want.
Bed 2: lettuce, greens, broccoli. If you don’t do onions in bed 1, do them here. A lot of these can be grown here.
Bed 3: squash on trellis, watermelon, zucchini on a stake.
Bed 4: green beans and herbs/flowers/more greens. Could grow pole beans and trellis.
I would plant blackberries and raspberries somewhere other than raised beds. They’re tricky. They’re perennials…. You want somewhere where you can control them if possible.
Strawberries in the bed by the sink.
Im assuming 1 grid square = 1 foot, which gives you about 2 feet egress in between the beds on the right. That might be a little tight to get a wheel barrow or a wagon in, especially if they’re going to get filled in.
Edit: with a 12 x 25 space, you might be able to fit multiple 3×12 raised beds, or a series of 3×6’s with a decent amount of room for pathways.
Is your 12×25 fenced section already built?
think about how the sun will hit things.
No less than 2ft between bed – consider how you’ll get wheelbarrows etc to various spots.
I’d think about orienting two of the 4x8s horizontally at the top of the second layout so you can fit more along the north side of them.
I’d also lay this out in a garden planner and add veggies so you can get a feel for that. I use the GrowVeg one which has a 7 day trial and is only $35 for the year but there are a bunch out there.
1’ is really really tight between a raised bed & fence. I have some I set 16” away from my fence & kind of regret not doing 24”.
I’d combine the the 4×8’s to make two long 4×18’s. Really depends on sun orientation
https://preview.redd.it/cdz74ccw5mbg1.jpeg?width=1700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9db15b6a512ca147169a6aa8dab4af6bd78f9896
I think others have already pointed this out, but 1′ of space isn’t a lot along the long side of the beds for option #2.
I want to suggest an alternative plan. Instead you could have two long 3×25′ beds. That would allow you 6′ in the middle. You could probably reduce that to 5′ and still have room to turn a wheel around in. For me, 3′ is a bit far to reach from one side, but not too bad. I can’t reach across a 4′ bed from one side, but 3′ is ok. How acceptable this is will depend on how comfortable you are reaching across a 3′ wide bed.
This arrangement will allow you 150 square feet, meaning even more gardening space then your two current plans. Option #1 provides 96 sf, and option #2 is 125 sf.
https://preview.redd.it/k6ph77kx9obg1.png?width=407&format=png&auto=webp&s=a72b3c0fe8b379a80a1d4a7147d4add91720250b
A lot of people made some good suggestions. The one thing that jumps out at me is the inclusion of broccoli and lettuce. If you intend to grow the crops you listed at the same time, the broccoli and (for the most part) lettuce won’t work, as they’re cool season veggies and the rest prefer warm weather (I believe onions prefer cooler weather as well, but I’m not as familiar with those). Broccoli and most lettuces will bolt in the heat that Summer annuals like tomatoes, watermelon, etc. prefer. Just a thought.
Why you need two sinks? Where’s the trellising or cattle panels go for climbing crops??