First-time raised bed companion gardening

[pavlicmx]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for taking the time to read my post and for welcoming me to your forum. So glad to be here.

I’m not a completely a beginner (I’ve had veggie gardens before), but I’ve never done a raised bed/companion garden. I unfortunately live in a city with no balcony and so my only option was to join a communal garden and rent some space (which is limited).

The approximate size of the bed is 120cm X 80cm, which is approximately 4ft X 2.6ft. Since I’m new to this, I thought I’d try the square foot method. This yields approximately 10 square feet, so to make it easier I thought to divide it into 4X2 ( 8 1X1 squares) and leave a strip at the top where I will put a trellis and plant peas and beans. I hope this makes sense.

In a long-winded way, what I’m asking is if you can look at my rough plan (and it’s very rough) that I uploaded to give me your advice on whether it’s completely out of whack or just any suggestions you may have for me.

I want strawberries and hot peppers, which I know don’t necessarily mesh, but I was hoping if they are spaced far apart enough, they will be ok. I’d pick the peepers over the strawberries. If the strawberries need to go, can you suggest some other compatible partners?

I am so grateful for any advice and so sorry for the long message. I’m just so excited to garden this year, even if it’s such a small space. Hopefully some of you experts here can maximize my yield

Thank you and I look forward to your comments.

Sincerely, Martina

 

[Meadowlark]

Welcome @pavlicmx

Some observations on your plan:

1) That's a lot of plants in a small area

2) Going vertical can help with space management...e.g. cucumbers, peas, and beans (pole) can all readily grow on a trellis saving you valuable space.

3) Onions and strawberries are good companion plants although personally I would do less strawberries and more onions.

4) In my experience, Marigolds are nice looking but their ability to repel pests is considerably overrated. Basil is very good repellant especially with tomatoes which it appears you are not planning on. I would consider deleting all or some of the marigolds in favor of a couple of tomato plants like super sweet 100s which is a cherry tomato that produces incredible numbers.

5) I like the "L","HP", and "BP" line up in the vicinity of basil but looks like maybe too many "L" plants...and if you do add a tomato or two in proximities to the basil would be good. Lettuce is a good "cut and come again" plant and it doesn't take many to produce a lot.

Yield isn't necessarily maximized by maxing out on plant numbers. Getting the right spacing, can help optimize production rather than overcrowding. Also, I've found overcrowding tends to make plants more vulnerable to insect damage and fungal diseases...air flow is important.

I'd love to see your final plan and see it in action if you would be so kind as to post up your progress.

 

[pavlicmx]

Hi Meadowlark,

You’re advice is absolutely amazing!

So to understand properly:

1) I thought it was

2) when you say vertically, you mean to just spin the table by 45 degrees and make that row of peas, beans and cucumbers on the top. In other words, the shorter side will accommodate all I placed there?

3) as for the strawberries and onions (I plan spring onions/green onions), so you recommend just two strawberries to a square or maybe three…how many onions? Should the onions be I between or on sides? Does it matter? Do you recommend a particular type of strawberry? I’d love one that keeps producing throughout the season.

4) I actually didn’t plan for tomatoes because everywhere I read, it says they don’t get along with strawberries….id kick out marigolds for tomatoes and basil anyway. So wheee the marigolds are out one tomato plant each and a basil?

5) I totally get too many Ls…so if I cut them by half, you think somehow I can put in tomatoes near those pepper plants? My limited experience growing hot peppers, they need space…can o throw a tomato in there? A tad confused on this part?

6) can I plant all of these at once? I plan to grow the peppers, Thai basil, and tomatoes from seed and transplant. I really don’t know how this part works.

7) I’m really confused on soil…is there something I can put in that will be okay for all plants?

If you would be so kind as to give me a little more advice, I’ll redraw my plan for final approval and I’ll start planting next weekend (maybe the onions peas, beans)???

I’m so grateful for this advice

Sincerely, Martina

Ps I’m on the Czech Republic (Prague)…if that makes a difference in when to plant.

 

[Meadowlark]

2) when you say vertically, you mean to just spin the table by 45 degrees and make that row of peas, beans and cucumbers on the top. In other words, the shorter side will accommodate all I placed there?

By going vertical, I meant to train the climbing plants, e.g. cucs, peas, and beans (pole), to grow vertically on a trellis/support. Examples of trellis below to give you some ideas:

The first one is a tomato cage that can be used for any climbing plant and behind it is a cattle panel trellis for ideas.

3) as for the strawberries and onions (I plan spring onions/green onions), so you recommend just two strawberries to a square or maybe three…how many onions? Should the onions be I between or on sides? Does it matter? Do you recommend a particular type of strawberry? I’d love one that keeps producing throughout the season.

I would just fill the open space around the berries with the onions. Check out this recent thread for different varieties of strawberries.

What variety of strawberries to plant?

The ones we've had for a couple years or so barely give us any strawberries each summer. What varieties are easiest to get decent yields from? I'm in PA.

www.gardening-forums.com

4) I actually didn’t plan for tomatoes because everywhere I read, it says they don’t get along with strawberries….id kick out marigolds for tomatoes and basil anyway. So wheee the marigolds are out one tomato plant each and a basil?

That'll work.

5) I totally get too many Ls…so if I cut them by half, you think somehow I can put in tomatoes near those pepper plants? My limited experience growing hot peppers, they need space…can o throw a tomato in there? A tad confused on this part?

Yes, but don't overcrowd.

6) can I plant all of these at once? I plan to grow the peppers, Thai basil, and tomatoes from seed and transplant. I really don’t know how this part works.

Yes and/or plant as you have time and seed/plants available.

7) I’m really confused on soil…is there something I can put in that will be okay for all plants?

Composted organic matter makes the best, safest soil amendments. I do not use chemical fertilizer or pesticides or fungicides or whatever on veggies I plan to consume...but its dealers choice.

I’m so grateful for this advice

Sincerely, Martina

Ps I’m on the Czech Republic (Prague)…if that makes a difference in when to plant.

Glad to help.

Be sure to check on last frost date for your area. Tomatoes and peppers especially don't like cold...however you can start them from seed indoors whenever and transplant as appropriate.

Don't plant out until the danger of frost has passed in your area.

 

[pavlicmx]

Hello Meadowlark,

Thank you so much for your input and guidance. It’s stressful not being able to go to my greenhouse or garden and have to draw out plans, but I take it as a positive challenge.

I followed your lead and edited the plan. I also ordered the seeds, which I tried to name on the plan. I don’t want to bother you because you already helped so much, but if you have any final comments or suggestions, Id really appreciate it…or anyone else for the matter!

Sincerely, Martina

 

[Meadowlark]

... but if you have any final comments or suggestions, Id really appreciate it…or anyone else for the matter!

Sincerely, Martina

Just one...keep us informed on how it goes. We love feedback and seeing how things turn out.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

It would be easy to say "Go for high value crops, why grow onions when they are so cheap to buy?", but last year I gave some of my smaller onions to a friend who is a widower, the right size when cooking for one. He commented that peeling them made him cry, "A shop bought onion hasn't done that to me for years. That made me think about potatoes, another one that is cheap in the shop, but tastes completely different. I am trying out growing potatoes in empty plastic compost bags. I have rolled the tops down, put some wood and leaves to hold moisture in the bottom, then a bit of soil and plant three potatoes. As they grow I am unrolling the top and earthing them up. At the moment they are in a solid block of bags, but I can see that when the top starts to spread I will have to space them, but by then that top will be two foot in the air, which in a plot like yours would mean you could grow something under it, like lettuce maybe. You could plant close to the bag, their roots would not be in competition, there will be no potato roots in the soil under the bag, and the bag will help keep it moist.
I am going to try this when I move the sacks.

 

[pavlicmx]

Just one...keep us informed on how it goes. We love feedback and seeing how things turn out.

Kicking me into the deep end of the pool with no life vest? got it! I’ll send pics once planted.

But no suggestions at all on the new layout

 

[pavlicmx]

Kicking me into the deep end of the pool with no life vest? got it! I’ll send pics once planted.

But no suggestions at all on the new layout

Help a gal out

 

[Meadowlark]

Help a gal out

Well, if you insist

The layout is very good...but I would reduce the number of veggie plants by about 25%. For example, one tomato on each end of row and one in middle...3 instead of 4...and so on reducing other varieties by about 25%.

Your plants will benefit from increased air circulation ...less pests and less disease while less competition for limited nutrients. A tip...sprinkle some Epsom salts around the base of each tomato and pepper plant. You will thank me later. .

 

[Meadowlark]

The most important part of a successful garden is the soil. If you are so inclined, we can take the next step and talk about your soil.

What can you tell us about the soil in your plot? Do you have any idea of any amendments that may have been added to the soil? Was it previously gardened and if so was the soil depleted of nutrients? Have any idea what was planted their last? etc, etc, anything you can tell us about the soil.

If you hold a hand full of moist soil in your hand and squeeze and release, does it stick together or fall apart? I'm fishing for is it clay soil or loam or sandy loam.

 

[redback]

Hopefully some of you experts here can maximize my yield

Good soil, plenty of sun and watering will determine the yield.

If you have studied the square foot method and your plan complies than you might just stick with what you've planned.
I think of one plant per square foot normally but then I interplant with other things when the first plants have reached maturity.
I would build the trellis (4'0" long) with peas and beans in the center. To the sunny side of the trellis, I would place a four-foot-long strip of onions on the outer edge and a four-foot-long strip of peppers between the trellis and the onions. On the shady side plant lettuces on the outer edge and herbs between the lettuce and trellis.
Cucumbers and strawberries can spread a lot if successful so hold back on them and the marigolds until the first plants are growing successfully.
Most of all enjoy the gardening and social life of the community and welcome here.