Help with garden plot size

I recently ordered 70 perennials and made a garden plot last weekend. The plants are on their way, but yesterday when I was arranging the individual plants on graph paper with my garden plot created to scale, things looked a bit crowded.

Here's how I did my calculations: Number of plants times maximum spacing requirements in inches. Sum total inches and divide by 12 to get square footage.

I then made a (roughly) 13' x 10' x 9' rhomboid after using the following calculations:

12" x 6 = 72”
14" x 3 = 42”
16" x 24 = 384”
18" x 12 = 216”
20" x 15 = 300”
24" x 10 = 240”
---------------------
1254” 12" = 104.5 sq ft

I've never claimed to be MathGirl™. Did I not create enough room for these flowers to thrive?

You're missing your second dimension...your calculations tell you how many linear feet you need if you're going to plant all the plants in a single straight line--in a two dimensional area you need to factor in the spacing in 2 dimensions. So basically, you need to figure out how wide that line of 70 plants would be and multiply that by the length of the line which you already calculated in order to find out what the area is that it will take up.

If you take your average spacing (1254 inches divided by 70 plants = about 18 inches), multiply that by 1254 inches to give you 22,572 square inches, divide that by 144 to give you about 156 square feet. So you're going to need a bit more space than what you planned.

If you are working things out on graph paper anyway, it's often easier to skip the math...just cut out circles that represent the finished size of the plants and lay them out the way you want to, then count up the number of squares on the graph paper--much easier and much less chance of confusing yourself that way.

Argh! I knew it.

Thanks much for the tip about cutting out circles and moving them around on the graph paper. I'll definitely give that a try.

By the way, I just came inside after 6 hours of sweaty, hard gardening, and the thought of expanding that garden bed is just too exhausting. And my new plants arrive tomorrow. :(

One thing I have discovered the last couple years is that perennials (and even shrubs) are easy to move. So, I think I'll cheat a bit this one time and use some of the new plants to fill in spots in other gardens.

Besides, it just started raining.

I spent the winter with charts and excel lists and powerpoint color schemes. I discovered I love big tall plants that all need to be in the back of a perennial garden. Instead I decided cottage works for me and once I add a few stepping stones I can plant everything I want and if it all grows together it will be even better.

Sometimes breaking the rules is what it is all about

Hi there

You probably have a year or two before things get so crowded you HAVE to move them, and by then you'll know which ones you like and which are doing the best in that location. My personal rule is "always make the bed bigger than you think you'll ever need it to be". You don't have to do everything at once.

Just relax and have fun!

I really need to get a picture uploaded. The garden looks so funny with these little blips of plants! Do you really think it will be mostly grown in within two years?

Some stuff I planted last year doubled in size this year (Geranium mac. 'Spessart' and Astilbe 'Bridal Veil). However, my Astilbe 'Hennie Graafland' seems to be struggling. I didn't prepare that garden plot like I did with this most recent one, and I fear the roots are dealing with compacted soil.

Is there anything I can do about that? Has anyone had any luck using liquid gypsum? http://www.soillogic.com/products/liquid-gypsum

A newer Graafaland, which I planted in a different plot, is significantly larger than when it went into the ground last fall. But the original 9 are struggling, and two died.

Peony8

I have had alot of success using Liquid Gypsum in garden beds and on lawns. I deal with alot of compaction and clay and have used every type of amendment/conditioner out there. I have had the best and fastest results with this product. For small garden areas I apply it as a drench out of a 5 gallon bucket at a heavy rate.

Thank you, calandscaper! I ordered a gallon late last week from the local Agway.

Ironically, this new garden bed seems to be waaaaaay too porous, as the plants are wilting every afternoon. I'm dealing with that issue in another thread. Turns out it could be user error. :-P (Not watering deeply enough.)