We have a sloping yard, so one end of our garden is lower than the other. We did have the forethought to make the rows go against the slope rather than with it so all the water doesn't just run straight downhill.
But the question becomes... What grows on the first, or top, rows? and on down to the 'bottom' row?
Here's what we're planning to grow in our small (8' x 8') garden:
Tomatoes - probably 2 rows
Peppers - one row
Greens (collard, turnip, mustard) - at least one row
Cucumbers - which we figure should really be on one end or the other b/c of the runners - one row
and then dill, sunflowers, and probably zinnias, marigolds or some other flower mixed in.
What do you think?
Need input on rows in small garden
Meant to put in a picture of the plot, but not sure you can see in this picture what I'm referring to by the slope:
I'd put cukes on the bottom of the slope--they need the most water in the summer. I know its going to be too warm for greens after this cold snap here, but maybe not there. I'm north of I10; isn't Cleveland over by Humble? Then I'd put the peppers one up from them. Beans can handle the top best of what you've mentioned.
I'm sure others will have different opinions, but I know that's how I would do it here.
Debbie
PS--As to that other thread, I haven't seen opossum's here in 3 years.
Cajun ~ which way is west? Sometimes worth considering planting vines or taller plants to provide afternoon shade for the more tender plants. Just a thought.
Thanks Debbie for the input. I guess I misjudged on the greens, timing-wise. Oh well if I try and fail, the seeds were 3/$1.00 so I won't be crying too hard. I can always put something else in their place.
We're off 105 between 45 & 59, so not much further north than you. We're approx. 45 miles NE of Houston.
Can hurt to try it this way ;-)
Now I can get busy and put my seeds in.
p.s. we have all KINDS of critters here... and yes possums too! lol
That applies more to container vegetable growing down here, rather than in the ground--nothing is really going to get a lot more shade--we have short day length's year round compared to up north. Good layer of mulch will handle that. Which plants are more water hungry is going to be the issue in July.
Yeah, I figure it's gonna be a battle regardless to protect them from drying out... mulch, water, mulch, water.
Hey, should I use one of those weed barriers? I may sound dense, but the fabric is out there--just not sure what to do with it... ???
I'm pretty close to I10 (about 10 miles North) west of Hwy 6; so I'm a bit south of you. I've still got some lettuce that I know after this snap will get bitter and bolt fast. I'm leaving for a couple of weeks as a living mulch (to save the space for successive bush bean sowing) then going to pull it--shredded greens make great mulch, cover with some pine straw.
I don't use it, I use real mulches--at least it enriches the soil. It ain't gonna work against the worst weeds anyway like nut grass and bermuda. All the rest of the weeds are gravy and easy to pull and control.
Both of these lettuce's are basically just holding the space (but keeping the weeds down)--they should both have a lot more red in them (they did in the winter when grown in other area's earlier)--they will become mulch in a week or two if they are too bitter to eat. I hate bitter lettuce.
Flashy Trout's Back--I'll put some peppers in here--pole beans (real short row) starting to take off.
wow those look GREAT Deb! Wish I was closer - I'd take the lettuce off your hands! Bitter FRESH lettuce still beats store-bought ;-)
VERY nice!!
New Red Fire--definitely lacking the fire. Again, due to the 2 weeks of 80F temps, and its supposed to be 75F tomorrow.Haven't decided what I'll follow with here. These are just small area's, I do a pretty integrated landscape. Also fruits too mixed in with other plants.
Cajin, do you do FaceBook? Most of what I do is over there, I use a few photo album's to varieties I grow and when I grow them. There's also a southeast Texas grower's group over there--mostly Beaumont and Houston people.
Debbie
Thanks Cajin--I'll probably pick some today and go straight to fridge. Not much warmer out there right now than the fridge, anyway.
Why yes I AM on FB... what's the link to the group you're in?
I joined one this morning, but didn't know anyone from Dave's was on there...
You have dmail--with name and email address--I hope you aren't easily shaken, I'm not a very conservative person--lol