This year, in an attempt to stay on top of my vegetable patch (and my plans for companion planting) I thought I would actually plan out my vegetable patch.
It turns out that, ideally, it looks a little something like this:
It also turns out that, although I know which plants I want to plant, I can’t remember where I want to plant them or what makes for a good companion! I guess that tomorrow I’ll be toddling back to my university library to re-consult the companion planting guide! And this time I’ll take proper notes!!
Over the last few weeks I’ve been transplanting the seedlings I’ve been growing into the vegetable patch. And, unfortunately, not all of my plan works out! For starters, I realised that if I did run to rows of beans as I’ve got indicated, I wouldn’t be able to get to them all to harvest them! Similarly, while I’ve got capsicum listed as something to plant in the middle there, I didn’t actually have any! (I did an emergency run out to the shops on the weekend to get some capsicum and chilli seeds once I realised their absence and I’m hoping they grow quickly!).
I took some photographs this afternoon, but unfortunately some part of this garden is almost always in shade so it’s never going to be completely clear. I also still have to mulch it, but I didn’t quite have the energy today. Maybe tomorrow.
Looking right to left on the vegie patch plan – the bottom of the photograph has the sweetcorn.
Right hand side of the vegie plan – beans run along the lefthand side of the photograph.
Close up from the left hand side of the vegie plan – pickling cucumbers along the bottom with beans behind.
For the record, the plants that have made it into the vegetable patch so far are:
1. Sweetcorn
2. Pumpkin
3. Peas
4. Onions (those desperately in need of transplanting)
5. Broccoli and Cauliflower (running out of space I resorted to planting them in amongst the onions. Turns out that onions made a good companion to keep away the cabbage moth! Added bonus!)
6. Beans
7. Pickling cucumber.
I also have a few vegetables in containers:
1. Potatoes
2. Tomatoes
3. Lettuce (hopefully, it’s still in seed form as yet).
Do you plan out your vegetable patch? Have you ever found that your plans didn’t work?
I do plan out the veggie garden. This year was the worst results that I have seen. This is due to the fact that I also like to experiment while I garden. When I can keep my scientific curiosity to a minimum I usually have good results through planning. What is the software that you used to map this garden?
Hi Lilredblogist, I actually just planned the garden using some clipart pictures and paint! I haven’t really found a good garden planner for Australia (though I did recently discover that Mr Fothergills have one that has a free 30 day trial period. Once I work out what’s going on with my other garden beds I’ll be giving it a whirl and I’ll let you know how it goes).
If anyone else knows of any good garden planners I’d love to hear about them!