In article <_aadnXd3pukgoLvVnZ2dnUVZ_q7inZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
"Him" <hfh1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Hi group. NJ zone 6 here. For the past several years I have gotten
greedy
> and end up planting my plants way too close together. The peppers in
> particular don't like this, end up tall with small peppers if any. The
> tomato patch was so crowded they could not get picked and spoiled.
>
> This year I have vowed to reform. Now, how crowded is safe? I don't
have a
> lot to work with. I have two 10 by 12 plots seperated by a 3 ft wooden
> walkway.
>
> I plan to dedicate one entire side to tomatoes. How many and what
> configuration would you suggest? Any ideas for the peppers on the other
> plot plus other stuff like squash, peas, greens?
>
> Thanks for your ideas.
Follow recommended spacing for peppers but remember, pepper plants like
to hold hands (leaves of mature plants should just touch). This will
also block sunlight to the ground, discouraging weeds. Investigate
companion planting and you don't need to grow in rows, beds are more
effective for preventing weeds.
I'll second Charlie's recommendation of John Jeavon's "How to Grow More
Vegetables Than You Ever Thought Possible On Less Land Than You Can
Imagine".
If you don't want to make new paths in your garden right away (4' wide
plots mean that you only have to reach 2' to weed or harvest), you might
use 2'X 2' stepping stones, to avoid compacting the gardens soil.
At recommended spacing for caged tomatoes, you could potentially grow
30 tomato plants. Do you need that many? Are you canning? A couple of
cherry tomato plants would keep you in salad and a half dozen others for
sandwiches.
Save some space to try something different.
Have fun:-)
--
Billy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVTfcAyYGg&ref=patrick.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0aEo59c7zU&feature=related
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