As long as you only want to plant one or two small beds, great planning is basically not necessary. But as soon as the existing area is to be effectively utilized through pre- and post-cropping, crop rotation and mixed crops, a suitable planting plan is required.
How do I create a growing plan for my vegetable garden?
To create a vegetable garden cultivation plan, consider site conditions, select suitable species and varieties, stick to sowing and planting dates, plan harvest quantities, use pre- and post-crops, pay attention to crop rotation and -follow, and consider perennial plants.
What goes where best?
When growing fruit and vegetables, it is important to “get” as much as possible out of the available area. This requires precise planning, which, among other things, takes into account the appropriate planting for the existing soil conditions, but also the best possible “timing” over the course of the year.
Choice of species and varieties
This includes, for example, keeping the location in mind when selecting species and varieties. Some plants need full sun and dry soil to thrive, while others thrive in partial shade and humus-rich soil. In addition, different varieties of the same species differ, and not just in taste and appearance. For many vegetables, for example, there are varieties that are only suitable for certain growing periods.
Sowing and planting dates
Be sure to adhere to the sowing times specified on the seed bags, as earlier or later sowing orPlanting affects both the growth of the plants and later the yield. Only if you want to prefer some vegetable plants such as tomatoes, you can do this either in late winter on the windowsill or in early spring under glass or foil. However, preferring is not suitable for all vegetables.
Think about the later harvest quantities
In addition to when and where, how much is also relevant when planting: so that you are not disappointed by the small yields in summer, you need appropriate plantings. The following applies:
- Vegetables such as cabbages, onions, radishes etc. can be estimated quite well based on the expected harvest quantity. Here you can count on one vegetable per plant and plan the planting quantities accordingly.
- It's more difficult with fruit vegetables like zucchini or many herbs: just one to three plants can trigger a real glut.
- Other vegetables such as potatoes, beans or spinach, on the other hand, require a lot of plants (and therefore a large area of cultivation) to produce more than just a modest meal.
Pre- and post-culture, subsequent seeds
Species with a short cultivation period can be used well to utilize the area before or after growing a main crop. You can also re-sow these species (which include lettuces, spinach, radishes, dill and chervil) every two to four weeks and enjoy them fresh all year round.
Crop rotation and succession
However, pay close attention to what is grown in the same place one after the other when it comes to pre- and post-culture. Some plants don't harmonize with each other at all, while others complement each other perfectly. Crop rotation has a decisive influence on the he alth and vitality of plants. The same applies to mixed culture in the vegetable garden or row mixed culture
Tip
Perennial vegetables such as asparagus or rhubarb as well as perennial herbs and strawberries save some planning considerations, at least for a few years. Please note, however, that many of these species tend to spread rapidly and must therefore always be kept well in check.
