Long ago, I followed the “rules” of gardening. Such as using a measuring tape to ensure I planted my seeds and plants correctly “x” apart, as dictated by the back of the seed packet, or on the start’s tag. But as I got deeper into gardening, I started squeezing more in, wherever I found space, for it is easy to buy too many plants or to grow too many and run out of space, when following those rules.
And let’s be real here: why do those rules even exist? Much of it comes from people who decided they were an expert and declared that was how to do it.
I won’t disagree that it can have a valid point – for example, with root crops like beets and carrots, the size between plants does matter if you want large individual harvests. Or you want a perfect-looking permanent garden (where the items are not pulled out at the end of the season, for example).
But lettuce? Not so much.
You have to know when it matters. And when it doesn’t, cram the plants in tighter.
An example is square foot gardening, often used in raised beds. If one were to follow the directions and use a template, one would find one’s garden to be pretty spare and open. Yes, those plants will grow and leaf out. But during that time, you could be growing spring crops that harvest in early summer. Plant tomatoes? Surround with lettuce, basil, kale, and such. It will grow before the tomato plant gets massive.
It also saves you time and money, such as reduced watering and weed suppression. When your rows are narrow and stacked more tightly (for example, the seed packet instructs you to have rows 36″ apart, but you plant 18″ apart), or when you plant 2″ apart in a row instead of 6″) you may find you don’t have to water as often. and that there is less open space for dandelions and similar to pop up.
Currently, I am growing only in containers at our new place until I can build a big garden. I have multiple plants that I am growing in large grow bags so that I can move them to the new garden this fall. I have found the Olive Tree, Blueberries, and Grape Vines are loving having flowers crammed in, under their leaves. It attracts pollinators and helps regulate the soil.
Examples from the past gardens we have had?
I nearly always grow peas for more dense than called for on the packet. Just make sure they stay well-watered and fed, and they will grow great.
Herb gardens/beds? Yes, they will grow quite a bit once established. But you have room to add more than you think. You can always prune back herb plants as they grow, so that it continues to fit into the area.
In this area, two houses back, we were putting in new areas in the ground. We had the crops just inches apart, but with walking paths where I could reach in at least 2 feet over to work on the items growing. This worked well. The weed suppression was excellent.
As it filled in during the summer.
Another example is that the beans would take a long time to grow, so consider planting something like carrots below. They’d be harvested before the beans covered the entire bed.
Enjoy your time growing, and get the most you can!
~Sarah