Suggestions on laying out rows

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gen2026 Camden, AR(Zone 8a) Apr 24, 2009

I have a traditional garden - which was started last year - but this year we DECREASED the size because last years was too large to maintain. Last year the rows were 75' long - this year they are probably around 50' plus we didn't make the garden as wide. The garden was tilled by one of the tillers behind a tractor, and has since been tilled by hand with a rear tine tillar. I am wondering if anyone can offer me some back saving suggestions on laying out the rows. I would like to lay out a "furrow" to put in fertilizer, cover partially and then put in seeds, cover ... (this is how i was taught years ago !! ) but I don't have a way to lay out the rows. Last year I purchased a used old walk behind cultivator but it was impossible to use...... I ended up laying out all the rows with a hoe - and since I am already having trouble with shoulder pain, and have had 2 prior back surgeries.... I am searching for a better way.

Anyone have any suggestions for a simple way to accomplish this task. I know gardening is not EASY but it shouldnt kill me either!! ^_^

Thanks for any and all suggestions!!
Genna

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feldon30 Houston, TX(Zone 9a) Apr 24, 2009

Yes, stop tilling! :)

If your garden has good, loose soil, then it should not need yearly tilling. Tilling compacts the soil beneath where the tiller can reach, disrupts earthworks, and mixes different layers of soil together which once you've got your soil set up the way you want it, is actually a bad thing.

Tilling is good the first few times, but then I would start building healthy soil. This is done with composted manures, shredded leaves, uncoated newspaper, grass clippings, spent coffee grounds, pine straw, etc. etc.


Have you ever seen the book "The Vegetable Gardener's Bible" by Ed Smith?

For years, he was a traditional gardener, growing his plants in narrow rows with wide walkways. He tilled every season. He got decent results, but was tired of tilling, tired of weeding the walkways, tired of needing so much space to grow the amount of produce he wanted. He wanted to try something different.

So he quit growing his plants in straight rows and started growing wide garden beds (3-4 feet wide) with narrow walkways, mulched with straw. He stopped tilling and instead adds compost and soil amendments to his beds each year. Other than a quick turn with a garden fork, he doesn't use a tiller.

I happen to agree with his ideas especially about space management. Growing single rows of carrots, beans, potatoes, lettuce, greens, etc. seems extremely wasteful to me now I have looked at his maps and his results.


Might be worth checking out that book and seeing if it might do what you want.

P.S. This is not Square Foot Gardening. That is a totally different garden technique.

This message was edited Apr 24, 2009 3:22 PM

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