Re: SqFt Planting Spaces

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• To: Multiple recipients of list SQFT <S*@UMSLVMA.UMSL.EDU>
• Subject: Re: SqFt Planting Spaces
• From: "* A* M* <m*@WMICH.EDU>
• Date: Thu, 20 Feb 1997 14:15:52 +0000
• Comments: Authenticated sender is <mcnutt@vms.cc.wmich.edu>
• Priority: normal

 Joe Hemmens wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Thank you John and Melissa for making Sqft information available on
> the WWW.
>
> However I have a few questions about planting spaces because I'm a
> bit confused.
>
> Firstly,  I've always wondered about the planting spaces given in
> 'conventional' gardening books.  Why do they often give non-square
> planting spaces eg,  Parsnips,  6-9in apart,  rows 15in apart?  I
> don't think that Parsnips produce roots twice as wide in one
> direction than the other :).
>
> Secondly,  although I'm speaking from a position of ignorance,  I
> have trouble in believing some of the Sqft spacings.  Onions for
> example at 16/sqft,  the same as for radishes.  I can understand the
> radish spacing,  but how big would the onions grow?  Obviously not
> more than 3 inches wide.  My 'conventional' gardening book suggests 6
> x 12 inches,  or a mere 2 per sqft.  Can I expect good results
> planting at 8 times this rate?
>
> Then again garlic,  if garlic is to planted at 4 or 9/sgft why not
> onions?  I would hope to be able to grow larger onions than garlic.
>
> Same with leeks,  if I plant them 4in apart will they grow to full
> size?  This is 9 times closer together than my 'conventional'
> gardening book.
>
> Any comments much appreciated.


Hi Joe:

I would like to suggest an alternative spacing technique.  John
Jeavons in his book "How to Grow More Vegetables..."  uses a
hexagonal spacing technique.  The veggies are planted at the seed
packet's recommended spacing, only plant them triangularly.  I'll try
to draw this below.


    s________s_______s
     \              / \              /
       \         /      \          /
         \     /          \      /
            s_______ s

The triangles are equilateral triangles.  If you imagine that exact
copies of the 3 triangles pictured above have three more triangles
reflected above the horizontal line you get the hexagon.  This type
of spacing is claimed to create a nice micro climate for the
vegetables to grow in.  I hope this is clear enough and not too
confusing.

Sincerely,

Jeff

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