I live in the high desert. By “crowding” my plants, I not only save on water, but the plants stay cooler, don’t burn, and maintain moisture better. Do what’s best for your area. Good luck and happy eating 👍🏻😁
You hit on a VERY important point here-- do what's best for your area. I have the opposite problem, where high humidity + lack of air circulation = disease. Thanks!
YES!!! I have made adjustments in allowing more space than last year's garden, and will do so again next year after finding I *still* don't have enough space between my plants! Last year, I did 12" between tomatoes (I know, I know 🤣), and this year did 24", but will do 36" next year for sure.
I didn't think about this but it is intuitive in some way - sort of like how if you can grow something in a 5 gal container or a 15 gal container for many plants it will equally fill the container. Thanks for sharing. For me personally it would take a leap of faith to stop cramming into my limited space. Maybe I'll just try a little spacier next season 😁
Great growing! People crowd their plants and prune heavily, which sends signals to insects. Also, they don’t realize what it is doing to the roots. The bigger the top, the larger and DEEPER the roots will grow, reaching not just moisture, but more microbes and minerals. Sometimes pruning healthy growth is necessary and even wise, but I learned to avoid it in most cases. Great spacing. :)
This is our first year doing cattle panels and we are in Michigan. We put all the squash and the zucchini on a panel and ya we over did it. I have a YT channel and I think I was just excited to be able to film in the garden and wanted it lush. Next year we will make adjustments. But this is great to see. Thanks for sharing
Right? Plus theres less heat stress if the plants are hydrated, which is less likely to happen if they're crowded together. And birds can see the bugs better.
I agree. I've seen gardeners squish all their plants together and it's always bothered me. If you have the space to spare, use it wisely. Unfortunately, I only have a patio so I am at the mercy of having to grow vertically and utilize as much space as possible. I still try not to smother my plants but it still happens.
You bring up a great point- not everyone has the space to spare and want to crowd in as much as possible in the space they DO have available. Finding that balance is important!
You have a great garden. Yeah, I know I overplanted my tiny garden this year, but I couldn't help myself. I mean, what if you only had time for a space 12x20 including paths! I tried to only plant a few things, and I did actually. But cucumbers, zucchini and butternut squash and a dozen tomatoes and 4 cherry tomatoes... oh and pole beens... and beets.. That's it, but still. I should have hardly planted anything. But I'm getting a lot of veggies out of that space. 😀 I'm working on expanding my garden. I sure wish I could drive a metal stake into my ground. Ah, it's just a dream. I'll work something out.
I know it-- if I was confined to a small space I would cram everything in just like you!! In some growing areas you can get away with it. But plants do suffer here! I'm so glad to hear you're getting a lot of veggies out of your space!
That’s pretty wise. Plants really do need room to grow and shine. Lots of disease and underproduction can take place otherwise. I think we just like the look of over abundance….but pay for it later😅😅
I grew purple Viking potatoes after watching your favorite variety videos last winter. We’re loving them. We just harvest as we eat them. Is that ok, or should I harvest them all and store? Also, do you harvest them and plant another crop? I think I’d have time. My frost date in lex ky is the same as yours. October 23
I’m so glad you’re loving them. And it’s totally fine to eat as you harvest, I grow a lot extra specifically for storage, which is why I dig them all up cure them and store them.
So I waited to put cucumbers out until much later than last year to try to avoid cucumber beetle. Well, I made the mistake of planting them in the same space as last year. & of course I have them again anyway. Now I'm trying to find a remedy to get rid of them or my whole season is a bust. Do you have a remedy to at least keep them at bay long enough that a flower or two can set fruit? Is love to hear about it. :)
I wish I had a foolproof method to offer- but I still haven't figured this out! Controlling them organically is very challenging. I know a lot of folks still just douse their plants with Sevin for this reason, but I don't recommend it. I use a combo of netting until the plants bloom (not an option if you're planting in the same spot), coating plants with Surround (kaolin clay) to discourage feeding, and I'm testing out some supposedly resistant varieties this year as well. Neem can inhibit feeding, pyrethrin based insecticide can kill them, but has to come into direct contact with the beetles. You can also suck them up with a shop vac if you have one handy, or knock them into a bucket of soapy water.
I have used Neem oil on my cucumbers and have not had a problem. I planted potatoes in a separate bed and all the pests seem to go for them. Which is working out great because I only have one area to keep a close eye on. I have kept my cucumbers and squashes sprayed with Neem to discourage anything and to keep fungal problems to a minimum. So far so good!
@@GrowfullywithJenna Update*** I've had a recent "gift" in the garden. Suddenly one day I noticed a little bit less cucumber beetles. Next couple days I noticed a new comer, a very bright orange bug with black limbs. Much to my delight, it's an assassin bug! They are taking out the beetles! My cucumbers are still growing strong & have many flowers. & with recent much needed rain, any day now I'm hoping to see a little baby cuc! :D
