Grow Your Own Magazine

does it matter if i align my rows in an east-west direction or is south-.north better.my allotment is south-north.but then again are rows a good idea anyway.i am thinking of experimenting with short rows closer together to save on space and trodden down earth.and how much space should i have between say a row of carrots and of beetroot.sorry thats a lot of questions but this time of year we get a lot of time to think.thanks guys.

I found the issue of orientation and rows altogether too confusing, so I don't have any rows, just roughly circular beds. The plants go in wherever, closely planted as poss to reduce weeds. Works for me - and there ain't no straight lines in nature

Hello Purplevegman, you don't have to have any rows if you see a way which works better from you.
As for your orientation question, I'm not an expert but I figure it this way.
Most of the day the sun shines from the South. If you align your beds North - South, then any tall plants at the South end (like your beans) will cast a shadow over your smaller plants and keep them in the shade all day. You can't just out your tall plants at the North end all the time as this would interfere with your crop rotation.
However, if you align your rows East - West the sun can shine on everybody most of the day without shadow.
I hope that sheds some light on things for you.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

i also have the added problem that there are 2 trees on the other side of the fence on the west side of my allotment that provide shade to a third . for a good part of the day.one is a sweet chestnut.does any one know if they are legally protected from being chopped down

That's a shame PVM. If you talk to them they might let you take the trees down for firewood.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

Shade can be useful, you know. Think of those poor lettuces getting cooked in the middle of summer. Things like that really appreciate a bit of shade. Personally, I don't like long straight rows of anything (except beans cos I have an inherited frame for the netting). I plant or sow in blocks or beds.

Parsnips are useful to plant in rows as they take so long to germinate that they get lost amongst the weed seedlings. At least you'll be able to roughly guess where not to weed!
I tend to plant them along rows of radish as they will show the planting line very quickly.