Need help designing my garden's layout for zone 4

Hello!

I'm new here, so far it seems like there's a wealth of information to be had!

My question is this: I don't know were to plant veggies in my garden (roughly 12 x 12) to maximize harvest. I would like to grow the following:

Corn, cukes, peas, beans, zuccini, potatoes, dill, asparagus, pumkins, radishes, squash, carrots, and maybe lettuce.

That being said, I realize that the vining plants need a lot of space to grow, so I may need to rethink where to put those. But, as far as the other veggies I would like to try companion planting using flowers and herbs to help with insect control, but I have no idea where to start. Help!! I read in another post to plant corn on the north side of the garden, but after that I'm stuck. Please help.

Bec

Bec,

Goodness that is an ambitious list for 12 x 12 (feet, I am assuming)! But heck, go for the gusto! Now, you may seriously want to consider this old Native American method of planting, which is known as the 'three sisters' planting. You plant corn, squash (the rambling varieties, I don't mean the bush types) and beans (the climbing kind, not bush beans) together and the provides the support for the beans, and the squash (pumpkins) tend to ramble all over the place. This will be a real space saver.

I encourage you to read this article that gives a lot of detail about the planting method:

http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/3sisters.html

As for zucchini, try a bush variety to also save space, most types need about a meter square or so. Or, if you wanted to create a trellis on one side of the garden, you could try a vining type of zucchini. Your cukes would also do well on this trellis, and produce nice straight fruits rather than curved. Your peas can also go on the same trellis, although peas are usually started a bit earlier than the others. You may be surprised, your trellis might just be a lifesaver! You can get a lot of mileage out of vertical growing. A net trellis works well for these plants. Lettuce & radishes favor cooler weather, and will tolerate some shade. Your potatoes can be planted in a hilled row, try to get your hands on some nice Organic Seed Potatoes if you can. I usually get mine from www.westcoastseeds.com .

Dill can go anywhere in the garden, it doesn't take up much space. Just scatter it hither and yon (sparingly, you don't want the whole garden turning to dill). It also self sows readily.

Asparagus is perennial I believe, so you'll need a permanent spot for it. I encourage you to research the specific cultivar and find out what conditions it prefers and requires. As for your carrots, they shouldn't need much space at all. Beware of the carrot sawfly though.

As far as companion plants go, tuck in a few nasturtiums or marigolds here and there for insect control.

If you want a good crop production, you should already have some of those items started from seed. Also look into succession crops for maximum yield, as well as cultivar types that are known for their high rate of production. Don't forget to amend your soil with compost and the likes! It will be sure to increase your yields. Oh, and try an innoculent for your peas and beans, it can help to increase production in those plants.

Best of luck, let us know how it goes!

-Plantenthusiast

Square Foot Gardening (SFG) may be for you: Mel's Columns: http://www.squarefootgardening.com/html/body_mel_s_column.html

~* Robin

Plantenthusiast - WOW!

Thank you so much! I hope someday I become as garden-savy as you are!

I will read those articles straight away. Here's another "newbie" question for you; what is an innoculate?

Also, I don't have any seeds started now. Which ones should I definately get a move on?

Thanks again!

Bec

NatureWalker - Thanks for the link!

I live in town, and that may just be the ticket for my family. I will still try the "Three Sisters" method. I'm a little leery on that though because it says you need to plant a minimum of 10' x 10' ft for that to work. We'll give it a shot though.

Thanks!

Bec

New_WI_Gardener,

Inoculant for beans and peas is usually a natural rhizobacteria which looks like a fine black powder. The seeds are usually rolled in it prior to planting. The inoculant helps plants absorb nitrogen, and increases crop yields. You can buy it at many places that sell seeds, such as gardening centres, and West Coast Seeds sells it too. For the US, you may need a small seed lot permit when ordering from Canada; however, I think that if you google vegetable seeds, you can find a lot of organic seed and inoculant sources in the US.

I am not sure exactly what your zone is, but check your last frost date here (if not listed here, then try a US weather site):

http://www.almanac.com/garden/frostus.php

Usually planting out is done after the last frost date according to what temperature requirements each plant has. You can also protect newly planted crops and give them a head start if you use what is referred to as a 'floating row cover' such as Reemay. This will help to insulate the new plants. When you transfer your seedlings to the ourdoors, you need to harden them off, that is, gradually acclimatize them to the bright outdoor light, and the change in temperature. I know that your space is limited, but a small cold frame is very helpful for this. It can just be a sheltered location though.

For starting seeds, you should buy the packets that you want to grow if you haven't done so already, and check the sowing recommendations on the back; usually it will say something like, 'Sow 3-4 weeks before last frost' or 'direct sow after last frost' or something like that. The best source of information for local planting times and so on is your master gardener's association; they are there to assist the public with their gardening questions, and often have a hotline or booths that you can visit and ask questions. This will give you a wealth of information specific to your growing area.

Also, make sure that your garden is ready to go (all tilled or dug over and soil amended) so that as soon as the desired temperatures are reached, you can plant out immediately. This will give your plants the longest growing season possible, therefore increasing the time that your plants have to produce.

I would say start your peas immediately, they can tolerate quite cool weather. Radishes, dill, carrots and lettuce generally direct sown, so no transplanting required (again, check the packets for specific info on planting times for your cultivars). You will find that most vegetables germinate and grow quite quickly, so you will want to determine exactly when your aimed plant out date is for each type of plant. Pumpkins and other squash relatives are often direct sown as well. Corn can be started indoors, or direct sown, but as for many heat loving vegetables, the soil needs to have warmed up first.

Seed potatoes will usually become available in your area around the time that they should be planted.

I can't say for asparagus, my experience is lacking in that field. Cucumber is started about 2-3 weeks before planting out.

If you do not have a grow light set up (full spectrum fluorescent lighting) then you should start your seeds near the brightest window possible. Please note that with too little light, seedlings will get leggy very fast, and that will cause all sorts of problems for your plants. Best to start them as close as possible to your plant out date as you can for most vegetables, just to be safe for the first year. That way if your seedlings are getting leggy, you can just place them outdoors and it won't be too cold.

Sorry that this is all rather confusing, but just remember to find your last frost date, try to get some local plant out advice if you can, and most importantly, follow the directions on the seed packets. It is easier than it seems.

Best of luck, and keep us up to date on your progress!

-Plantenthusiast

Here is my vegie patch. It is raised and in pots. I use a lot of recyled items. Buy a few things. WhateverI think will work. I grow up alot. The big pots are for tomatoes. The beds in the wire grow carrots onions beans peas or zucchini. Even cabbage. The back part had carrots peas which the deer loved and beans.

The beds in front are rabbit cages I cut down and are 2x4 feet and lined with black plastic. the yellow pot is a dryer drum. I grew flowers in that.

This picture is last spring. I still have snow on the ground!

Here is is all partially grown and from a different angle.!

another view

Another view. I also have a patch off to the side for corn and potatoes which DH said was going to have to go.

Inoculant for beans and peas
I will give you some needed info on this stuff.

Warnings:
Don't get it near or into eyes.
Don't breathe it in.
Don't let children or pets handle or injest.
Close package tight; Keep out of reach of chilren or pets
If you want to save it from getting decayed fast, store in a cool area; below 50° F, out of light of course.

I bought mine from my local Agway Store... $3.99 for 3 ounces.

~* Robin


Picture of Garden soil Innoculant ↓↓↓↓

Oh! I forgot.... you can read on these old posts about SFG - Square Foot Gardening ....

Vegetable Gardening: Square Foot Gardening http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/487630/

Vegetable Gardening: Square Foot Gardening Part II http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/519068/

Beginner Vegetables: Does anyone do Square Foot Gardening method? http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/758755/

HTH

~* Robin

ves522,

Thanks for sharing your photos, they are great! It is an nice contained little plot that you've got going there, and gives an idea to others how to make a small space manageable and productive!

I commend you on your recycling effort, that is fantastic. I am all for the three R's; REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE!

Keep us updated on how your garden goes this year!

-Plantenthusiast

It should grow good if the weather ever warms up and I can out smart the deer!LOL I get enough out of it to can and freeze for the winter. My goal is to grow enough to maybe sell a bit and take some to the food pantry.

Plus it is easy to take care. Wish I had done this years ago when I think how big the garden was and how full of weeds!