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Why are row and plant distances different?
Bill_and_Ben
Posts: 161
in Fruit & veg
I am just planting vegetables for the first times (things like lettuce, spinach, beetroot, artichokes) and am confused as to why the seed packets give differing distances for the space between rows and plants. Do plants know to grow wider in one direction that the other?!. The rocket says 10" between rows and 4" between plants. The spinach is the most extreme - 12" between rows and 1" between plants.
My location: Histon, near Cambridge, UK
0
Posts
Maybe the space between rows is for access to plants at harvest time
In the sticks near Peterborough
You will thin some things out
Also, some things such as spinach are to be harvested younger while light and air must touch plants to keep them healthy
The plants will grow in the direction of the most amount of light, so in the case of rows they'll spread a bit off to the left and right. It's sort of a minimum/maximum amount of space required for ample growth and reduced competition. I never really follow those guidelines, as I grow in a raised bed in blocks. Do a google for 'squarefoot gardening' for more specific guidelines and 'rules' for distances. If you are growing in containers, you won't need to leave so much space between either, as you will be meeting their nutrition and watering needs and reduce competition. If you do go for rows, make sure to allow extra space every two rows to walk between them.. as the rocket, for example, will grow at least five inches out from the sides.. causing rows to meet in the middle.
Thank you for the answers - I'm new to this so all appreciated. My veg bed is tiny - about a metre deep and 6 metres wide as I can easily reach to the back so am not too bothered about space to walk. I've planted most of my items 4" and 6" apart (both rows and plants) as that was the minimum measure for each spcified (they're all small seedling from seeds germinated in my greenhouse so already thinned). I will see what happens and adjust for future years! I will Google 'sqaurefoot gardening' now - thank you.
PS I yesterday I transplanted 8 artichoke plants that germinated from seeds and are looking quite healthy - I did them 8" apart as it said on the packet and then was curious as I know artichoke plants are huge (these are supposed to be a dwarf variety) so looked more closely at the packet and realised it was 8' not 8" - i.e. feet! So they will be getting moved elsewhere and have to compete with shrubs and plants in the main beds!
Haha.. we all make mistakes like that. My first year growing corn I was greedy and planted them far too close.. meaning few produced ears. The next year I did them a bit further apart, and was far more successful. Other plants do fine planted much closer than advised. I like cut and come again salad, and that gets put in tight and close.. same with spinach if you are picking it regularly. (I did give up with spinach after the second year, it would bolt quickly and leaf miners were a constant battle.. space was better used planting something else, so instead I picked my lovely perfect baby spinach at Waitrose!). Best of luck!
Yes, some do well closer. Leeks will be smaller but tastier IMO.