Hello good folks!
I am in zone 6a and just found out this last weekend that after more than THREE YEARS on a waitlist for a spot at a nearby community garden, my time has finally come. I have been skipping around ever since.
The plot I have been given is a raised bed (about 3 feet tall) and it is 4 feet by 8 feet. Itty bitty, but I am determined to make good use of the space.
My plan for the space is for 3 tomato plants (2 cherry, 1 larger heirloom variety), 1 poblano pepper, 1 jalapeño pepper, 3 genovese basil, 2 marigolds, 1 zucchini, 1 pickling cucumber, and as many radishes as I can cram in the middle. I'll transition to beets for the fall. I am thinking that the cucumber and zucchini can sprawl down the side of the raised bed. Who knows if that would actually work.
Across from my plot is a fence that, based on some snooping on Google street view from 2 summers ago, people have had success growing vining green beans on, so I am going to replicate that.
I've drawn up a mockup of a layout. I have grown all of these herbs and vegetables before when I lived in Ohio growing up, but just not so close together.
I fear that I am flying too close to the sun, and I need someone to talk some sense into me. Is this a realistic layout for such a small space?
Pic 1: the garden bed (this is two plots side by side, so I would have 1 half).
Pic 2: my proposed layout
by Bebe_Yaga_
10 Comments
Yes, you’ve got enough space for what is planned. I’d swap the peppers (short) with the cucumbers (tall & require trellis to climb).
With the bed being so tall and the wall behind it, how will you harvest things high up? Like if a tomato plant is 6 feet by the end of the season, you’ll need a ladder or something.
You have enough space for this! I would say you could probably fit a little more even especially around the border, companion plants like low growing flowers and herbs. I also think you’re planning for too many radishes, unless you like to eat a lot of radishes at once lol! Maybe diversify in that area a bit with carrots or something else.
This plan seems feasible
You’re going to have to be very diligent about pruning and controlling your tomatoes to keep them that close together, but it’s doable. Zucchini gets so much bigger than you think it will, so just be prepared. I have zucchini plants that are over 4′ wide right now and they aren’t even in full swing yet.
https://preview.redd.it/4ontfvhh5txg1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=95822c20ec4688595f848c885a7a93c37a60edeb
Yes, I will warn you the cherry tomatoes are going to look fine one day and the next day you’ll wonder how you let it become the giant thicket it has become.
Watch a couple videos on how to properly prune tomato and you’ll do great.
https://preview.redd.it/73agmrtc8txg1.png?width=1424&format=png&auto=webp&s=7d47009eaf92d084afe9d61b562249d9dcaca02f
That’s such a tough layout being close to the neighbor and having to reach. I don’t know if I made this any better but I was curious how I would lay it out. (I don’t necessarily recommend this layout, just playing around) Personally, I would put the marigolds and basil intercropped with the cherry tomatoes on the border. I would also put the tomatoes away from your neighbor so they encroach less.
I like the idea of the cucumbers running down the side!
And the zucchini plant will get LARGE, but did you know you can eat the leaves and stems?!
If you haven’t started them already, see if you can find dwarf cherry tomatoes. They max out at 3 feet and are indeterminate producers. The Burpee variety is Veranda Red (you can order seedlings) and they would not require pruning.
Your plan looks great!
Crowding creates pest and disease habitat, and competition for resources resulting in reduced yield. These spacings will seem as excessive to many but will give your plants maximum potential. Tomatoes 3×3 feet minimum. Cherries are very prolific. I only grow one. Heirlooms can be difficult and lower yield. A hybrid can taste every bit as good and produce much more if using a bit of compost and organic fertilizer. Peppers 2×2 feet. Pole beans 1×1 feet. Beets so they don’t touch at harvest size. Radish 2 inches. Zucchini 4×4 feet minimum.
You will want some support or cages for the cherry and heirloom tomatoes. If they are super sweet cherry 100s they can hit 8ft and are prodigious producers. Unless you really love cherry tomatoes with every meal you could male do with just one. Their heirloom will vary but we’ll fed they can get pretty dang big too. So be ready with support structures.
Do you know the orientation of the bed as far as north, south, east, west? Also, there are likely rules about shadowing your neighbor’s bed that you’ll need to consider in a community garden. All of these factors will affect your planning