Garden plot size

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mtilton Ada, OK(Zone 7a) Jan 29, 2008

I spent three days digging my 2008 garden, which is 40 x 12 feet, or 480 square feet. How much can I grow on a plot this size? Thank you.

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tucsonjill Lincoln, NE(Zone 5a) Jan 29, 2008

I think the answer to your question is going to depend on what veggies you're interested in. Some vegetables take up a lot more room than others: some grow vertically, some sprawl, some (like corn) need a certain minimum block size to effectively pollinate, etc.

What are you thinking of growing?

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mtilton Ada, OK(Zone 7a) Jan 29, 2008

I want to grow as much as possible: beans, peas, watermelons, cucumbers, cantaloupe, corn, squash, tomatoes, lettuce, chard, mustard greens, potatoes, etc. Could a small garden like this provide vegetables for me all year if I plant bio-intensively? I've just read up on it on the internet - I've never done it. Thank you.

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doccat5 Fredericksburg, VA(Zone 7b) Jan 29, 2008

Well, trellis the melons and cukes, squash, peas and beans if their the pole type. Plant the taller plants so they do not shade out the lower growing crops. lettuce, chard, mustard under the tomatoes and trellises. Potatoes on the ground in another area...see my article http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/435/ Corn is a heavy feeder as are tomatoes, so you need to take that into account for side dressing during the growing season.

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LTilton Glen Ellyn, IL(Zone 5b) Jan 29, 2008

Succession planting is key. Lettuce and peas, forex, are cool-weather crops. Plant these as early as possible for maximum yield before the hot summer weather in your zone. Then follow them with melons and squash, warm-weather crops. In September, plant for a fall crop of the cool-season veggies.

If you're growing for home consumption, space your plantings out to extend the season. With lettuce, for example, plant varieties with different times to maturity, or make smaller plantings every couple of weeks.

Starting your seeds inside and transplanting will free up garden space and extend your season.

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doccat5 Fredericksburg, VA(Zone 7b) Jan 29, 2008

Except for corn which doesn't like being transplanted. Takes a little practice, but it's great.

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LTilton Glen Ellyn, IL(Zone 5b) Jan 29, 2008

I've transplanted corn, very young, and it settled right in.

I'm a relentless season-pusher.

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tarheel2az Tonto Basin, AZ Jan 29, 2008

http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/vegetable/guide.html

The info at the above link shows relative yields for many vegetables. The table is nominally for Arizona, but relative yields should be the same most places.

Frank

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Dean_W Central Texas, TX(Zone 8b) Jan 29, 2008

Good read, good luck w/ the garden, mtilton.

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mtilton Ada, OK(Zone 7a) Jan 30, 2008

Thank you all for your help. Good links, doccat5 and tarheel2az.

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