First time gardner here and posted a few days ago. Things seem to be turning around after adding nitrogen (thanks to you guys on to my last post here!)
Is there anything else I need to be on the lookout for?
Lesson learned on planting so close together. And I’ve got trellises ready for when they start to grow.
TIA!!
by ATW195
14 Comments
This looks extremely crowded. Pepper plants should be about 1.5 – 2 feet apart by themselves. I would let it ride and see what kind of production you get out of this, but expect small yields as all these plants compete for resources.
I’ve made this mistake in the past.
I agree with the planters being over crouded.
Zuchini plants at maturity take about 0.8 m² and that’s the space you used for 4 plants
I would also, personally, remove the flowers of the zuchini plants seeing how small they are to start producing fruit.
Otherwise the peppers look nice
Way way way too many per square feet. You’re yard is going to be an absolute mess
You don’t need trellises. You need to take like 80% of the plants out.
That’s way too much for that bed.
Unpopular opinion… let it ride. I never follow spacing guidelines. I start my own seeds and plant what looks healthy in the space I have. Some years it’s crowded, sometimes it’s not. If anything starts to look fonky later on, pull it out. If a few of those pepper plants really take off and the others don’t, pull out the pitiful ones.
Obviously giving plants space is about allowing for nutrients absorption, sunlight, and airflow to prevent disease. I’m not ignoring those facts. I’m just saying your plants look happy right now, and since you are a new gardener, I’m giving you permission to break a few rules and welcome a little chaos into your veggie patch.
Jeez Louise. That’s a lot of plants in a such a spot. You’re gonna have to pull some out at some point. Nothing kills a bumper crop like the lack of airflow. But we only learn by trial and error so you got that going for ya ❤️
I’m a chaos gardener who likes variety and mostly ignores spacing rules massively. I plant things way close together and stuff my garden full. I also live in a hot, dry climate – so plants growing closer together tend to offer some much desired shade for each other. I know in humid climates this can be an issue for spreading disease, so maybe make some decisions on that based on your environment.
My personal opinion is your peppers will do just fine and probably appreciate the shade. If those are cucumbers, those will prob be fine too – super shallow roots and if you have a trellis even better.
If those yellow flowers are squash… those I would pull and leave just one or two. Three tops. As far apart as you can. Squash are not going to do well that close together. And will be nightmare to try to prune and harvest like that. Even if they did thrive… unless you’re trying to feed the whole neighborhood, one family does not need that many squash plants.
If you don’t live in a wet/humid climate and therefore avoid a lot of disease, I think your biggest hurdle is going to be getting to the plants in the middle to try to harvest.
Everything looks healthy, good luck!
These plants look healthy! I typically don’t follow spacing rules- except for squash and cucumbers. Those will need to be thinned to allow for airflow and help reduce powdery mildew spread. I would recommend a trellis or cages to encourage vertical, instead of horizontal growth. I agree with the other comments about too many peppers in the planters. They won’t thrive. Looks like you need a few more planters 😉
As much as i try to ignore spacing rules andreh and crowd as much as possible you may have overdone it 😆 those cucurbits are gonna take over everything in its path
Plants look healthy, since space will be an issue, consider training your squash vines vertically. It’s not that hard and looks interesting.
https://preview.redd.it/qjw7fyqiqjwe1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=201f5fd45e1a097b7b151bfb36691e5804859c81
Not my picture but you get the idea.
They are, genuinely, crowded. That doesn’t guarantee poor performance, though Some situations actually make it beneficial. However, there is a missed opportunity with spacing things out: intercropping. I’m not so familiar with squash plants, but everything else can be grown with other plants that won’t compete with them, and are beneficial for both, often as pest control and pollinator attractors, in return for shade or root management.
For example, with the peppers, you can intercrop small radishes, pansies, marigolds, onion chives, certain beans, etc., turning one square foot per plant into an 8 plant per square foot paradise. The beans feed the peppers nitrogen, the other things drive away pests, the crowding keeps moisture levels higher, and you get more stuff to eat or gift.
I’m not suggesting that you should just start doing this, by the way. Just saying this as a note for future reference if it ever becomes relevant. Some plants don’t like each other, and some thrive with each other. If you learn (or use a book, or an internet search) which plants go with what, you can get a lot more production out of a small space, and actually make your job easier. Then, overcrowding will never be a problem.
I agree with it being crowded, especially at the far end. It’s difficult because I only have a tiny plot, but you have a lot of space. Use an afternoon to make one or more new beds (this is the quickest and easiest way https://youtu.be/0LH6-w57Slw?si=bZFFccIcFvaJ3a99)
I know it’s difficult, but there is truth to spacing, you risk disease more, although you can push it if your soil is very healthy. As a new gardener you’re also less equipped to deal with that.
I keep making this mistake over and over again. Don’t do like me 😁
I’m jealous. Your plants are doing so well!
They look OK but way overcrowded.