Oh Lord it's hard to be random........

[TEB]

You are all devil worshippers , everything has to be straight and even, OH falls about laughing when I measure off carrot with a metal rule, but what a sight when they are arrayed in parade groung formation .

You should be ashamed

[HeyWayne]

I know what you mean. When I was painting the polka dots in Beans room I knew I'd have problems painting them in random colour order (even though the actual dots are all perfectly spaced/levelled), so I drew them out on the computer and coloured them on screen - that way I could avoid any "oops, I've just painted them in a repeating pattern" type situations.

I always thought that the porpoise of neat lines on the plot was to make it easier to weed etc. but now I see it's a deeper rooted issue.

[TEB]

Bows down in homage

[Flummery]

And I'm a bit the other way (so to speak). I intend straight lines - sometimes they are actually straight - but sometime two adjacent straight lines are not quite parallel! I never measure the distance between plants or rows. I'm the queen of guestimation! However, the up-side is it rarely spoils the look of anything when I harvest plants.

[zazen999]

I'm ALWAYS getting told off my my labourer/weeder [the OH] for not planting in straight lines or with a hoe's space in between.

I definitely could give lessons in randomness in gardening....I own several pegs with twine in between, but never use them except for pinning fleece down. My lines usually skew off into triangles and then I have to fill the gaps with random garlic.

I was exceptionally proud of myself this winter when both my garlics AND onion sets were in rows in a grid - with hoe space inbetween - like it should be. I then followed one row when I put my broadies in. I can't see it lasting to be honest.

And yes, I was an engineer, and a draughts'person' for years. AARRGGHH. Give me swirls and circles and randomness.

[piskieinboots]

I'm using the square foot(ish) prinicple this year, so no worries with lines, squiggles, swirls

[maytreefrannie]

I usually intend straight lines, but only because I think that's what you're 'supposed' to do. I use my eye (no 'straight line' implement) and hand and usually end up with pretty much random distribution.

Asymmetry is OK by me, I reckon they'll grow anyway. In a way, I'd love to be more organised like you, Snadger, I imagine your garden as a model of matching lines, which would be pleasant to look at.

[snuffer]

Got to agree with TEB. I too use a measure when planting. I also aim for some level of symetry as well. Obviously the veggies can't grow symetrically but I can ensure that row markers are the same at each end of the row and by working outward from the middle of a bed can ensure that rows are symetrically spaced. Mrs snuffer often thinks there is an element of autism in the way I plan the lay-out of crops and I am inclined to agree with her.

[Eyren]

I aim for straight lines, but I usually can't be @#$ed to get out the string so it's a guestimate at best

On the other hand I think I freaked out Mr E a bit the other day when I admitted to having worked out how to draw a perfect ellipse (for our extended herb bed) from first principles, using Pythagoras!!! I really must stop watching "NUMB3RS"...

[TEB]

Building raised beds at the moment and I almost almost got out the laser level, still might

[Snadger]

I aim for straight lines, but I usually can't be @#$ed to get out the string so it's a guestimate at best

On the other hand I think I freaked out Mr E a bit the other day when I admitted to having worked out how to draw a perfect ellipse (for our extended herb bed) from first principles, using Pythagoras!!! I really must stop watching "NUMB3RS"...

Here you go Eyren...........just DON'T use a big elastic band!!!!!!

Draw A Perfect Ellipse - Video

[FionaH]

I am totally random about so many things, housework, filing, I never iron. So can you tell me why I had a tape measure out yesterday? Anyone cares to check there is EXACTLY 1ft between my spuds and 2ft between rows.

[selfraising]

As I have limited space and 3 raised beds, I'm afraid I get the tape measure out and plan every centimetre of growing space and it has to match up with my scaled drawings! I work with autistic kids, perhaps it's catching!!

[Snadger]

Just thought I'd resurrect this thread as I've got a good tip for an aid to randomness!...Lime!!!!!!!

Let me elaborate. I have been busily sowing and planting fruit, veg, herbs and flowers randomly in my geometric beds. The beds are 4 foot wide by 12 foot and I have 20......no 21..........noooooo 22.....never mind ..............LOTS of them!
The areas I've sown spuds are quite easy to mark as I have little volcano's above each spud with a central label. Brassicas are easy to see so no problems there. The problem is where I grow stuff direct from seed or from underground rhysomes or bulbs. How do I mark the area?

I've hit on a simple solution........I use garden lime sprinkled on the surface to delineate the areas I've planted! I stick a large label in the middle of each area sown as welll.
The labels and lime circles and curved areas within the beds look quite decorative as well and when the seeds have germinated it's an easy matter to hoe the lme line out if I want to!

[di]

Sounds good!
If I'm sowing seeds in a little place or a wonky swerve I cover the seeds with compost,therefore know where the swerve is.(also try to remember to pop a label in...but then half the fun is that little element of surprise waiting for what's coming up!