First Garden Plans

Discussion in 'Garden Design' started by Busted, Jan 10, 2013.

  1. Busted

    Busted New Seed

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2013
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    39
    Location:
    Western North Carolina, USA
    I am planning my first garden this year which is a 20 foot by 20 foot, or it should be if everything goes to plan.

    Specs

    * 20x20
    * Row width is 20 inches.
    * Walking path width is 24 inches.
    * Zone 6b
    * In ground, not raised beds, but good soil.

    I plan to order my seeds from Park Seed. I have heard good things about them from my grandfather.

    List of plants

    * Bean - Mon Petite Cheri Bean
    http://parkseed.com/bean-mon-petite-che ... 031-PK-P1/

    * Tomato - Park's Whopper CR Improved
    http://parkseed.com/tomato-parks-whoppe ... 380-PK-P1/

    * Pepper - Karma Hybrid
    http://parkseed.com/pepper-karma-hybrid/p/05291-PK-P1/

    * St. Johnswort - Medicinal
    http://parkseed.com/st-johnswort/p/00339-PK-P1/

    * Borage - Tea, repels hornworm
    http://parkseed.com/borage/p/00337-PK-P1/

    * German, Chamomile - Medicinal/Tea
    http://parkseed.com/german-chamomile/p/00526-PK-P1/

    * Cherry Tomato - Sweet Million Hybrid
    http://parkseed.com/tomato-sweet-millio ... 347-PK-P1/

    * Onion - Yellow Granex Hybrid 33
    http://parkseed.com/onion-yellow-granex ... 208-PK-P1/

    * Carrot - Tendersnax Hybrid
    http://parkseed.com/carrot-tendersnax-h ... 099-PK-P1/

    Not in the garden are Peppermint and Spearmint to be potted, as well as harvesting some local Mullein which is also a medicinal plant.

    http://parkseed.com/peppermint/p/01347-PK-P1/

    http://parkseed.com/spearmint/p/01348-PK-P1/

    [​IMG]


    Questions

    How does this plan look?

    What can be expected as far as output of veggies, like in about how much fruit/food will I be able to obtain?

    Any suggestions at all, a change of plants, swap a row, a different retailer, you name it?

    Does it really matter which of the plants I get, why chose something like the Karma Hybrid versus something cheaper you can get at Walmart?

    Think this is to much for one person to handle? How about two?
     
  2. Loading...


  3. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    11,382
    Likes Received:
    13,393
    Location:
    Central Texas, zone 8
    Someone knows about companion planting :smt038 ! Your onions will repel carrot flies, and putting your herbs in the middle is a great idea.
    Before you order from Parks, take a look at Pinetree Seeds http://www.superseeds.com that has lower shipping costs and packets sized for the home gardener.
    One person can easily maintain the garden you have planned, especially if you mulch. Grass clippings, leaves, straw, old hay, all these make good mulch and are inexpensive or free.
    I don't know the orientation of your garden, but make sure the pole beans don't shade your tomatoes. Both your tomatoes and the peppers appreciate direct sun (except here in Texas where I shade my tomatoes for the afternoon).
    I can't comment on how much produce your garden will give. Too many variables--weather, variety of veggies, soil type. I will guarantee that the vegetables you grow will taste the best you've ever had!
     
    donna in nc and Busted like this.
  4. Busted

    Busted New Seed

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2013
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    39
    Location:
    Western North Carolina, USA
    Thanks for that link I will look more into them when I get ready for ordering, which will be soon. Looks like Pinetree Seeds does have some better prices.

    I can't take credit for companion planting, I didn't know onions repel carrot flies. I did read about the Borage repelling hornworms which would be a problem for the tomatoes and peppers, which is the very reason I placed the herbs in the middle.

    As to the orientation of the garden everything will have direct sunlight, I really have no other place to put it. The tree that partial shaded the area fell last year, rotten old pine.
     
  5. Henry Johnson

    Henry Johnson In Flower

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2006
    Messages:
    962
    Likes Received:
    731
    Location:
    Sou.Cen. Alabama
    Hello, Busted; welcome to the GardenStew forums.. Your garden plans look good, definitely not too much for one person to tend as MG said.. Hank
     



    Advertisement
  6. Busted

    Busted New Seed

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2013
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    39
    Location:
    Western North Carolina, USA
    Thanks Henry.

    Got everything ordered now that I got the go ahead on where the garden will be. So now I get the fun task of setting everything up, moving the fence, tilling the ground, and getting ready to get seedlings started when it's time. Only thing I changed is the carrots and beans, which I think should be better.
     
  7. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2011
    Messages:
    9,332
    Likes Received:
    4,855
    You will need more room for the tomatoes. 24" is a little narrow for rows for their sprawl. You will need to keep up on pruning them to be able to get through the row. Keep each plant in a cage, too. Don't let them sprawl all over the ground. The plants can be planted 24" apart with cages, but they need to have wider rows than 24". We do 4-5' rows between the tomatoes. I have had peppers get as large as 4' tall and need more room between rows than 24", too. It just depends on the weather and the genetics of the plant.
     

Share This Page