Thursday, September 12, 2013

How to Plant a Row Garden

How to Plant a Row Garden

A row garden utilizes an orderly and linear pattern for planting. The garden plan for a row garden allows for paths between each planted row, with the rows running north to south the length of the garden space. The result is a pattern of planted row, path, planted row, path and so on running from east to west across the width of the garden. The success of a row garden, as with any garden, lies in the proper preparation. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

    1

    Make a list of the vegetables and herbs you plan to plant in your garden. Taller plants, such as cucumbers and corn should be planted at the north end of the garden, with the remaining plants placed according to height so that smaller plants that require full sun are not shaded by taller plants.

    2

    Define the location of each row within the garden area. Start at the east end and set out two stakes, one at the north end and the other at the south end. Run a string from one stake to the other and secure the string. Use a chalk line or similar straight edge to check that the stakes are lined up.

    3

    Leave a 4-foot gap to allow for a path and mark the location of the next row using stakes and string. Repeat this step until each row is marked out across the garden.

    4

    Use a hoe to create furrows for your rows. Start at the east end with the first marked row. Following the string line, drag the hoe along the soil surface, displacing the soil to either side. This creates a furrow for planting the seeds. Make the furrow approximately 2 inches deep. Continue to create furrows for each marked row.

    5

    Start planting seeds and/or seedlings at the north end of the garden area. Plant the seeds for your tallest plants at the "top" of each row. For example, if planting corn, plant four seeds in the first row, leaving approximately 12 inches between each seeding. Use the displaced soil to cover each seeded area and mark with a garden marker.

    6

    Plant four corn seeds, or seeds for the tallest plant on your list, in the second row in the same way. Continue to do so to create an east-to-west block of this vegetable plant. This not only prevents shading of other plants but encourages plant pollination via wind movement.

    7

    Continue planting seeds along the rows, keeping the plantings in blocks whenever possible. Use garden markers to indicate the location of your vegetable plants within the rows.

    8

    Add gravel or other similar material to the paths in the garden. This defines the paths and reduces weed germination.

    9

    Monitor your rows for weeds and pests as your plants grow. Water regularly and add fertilizer according to individual plant needs.