Up for Comments, My Garden Plan. Criticize, Applaud, LOL, I'd like input.

Indyartist · February 9, 2011

I'm planning my 34 by 46 foot garden. I'm planning on planting my tomatoes 4 feet apart with the rows being 5 feet apart. I'll use 7 or 8 foot poles, three per row, set about 18 inches deep and use some form of the "Florida Weave" to support them. With this spacing I can do about 53 plants allowing some room for other crops.
My second issue will be that I have seeds for about 30 varieties and can only grow the 53 plants. What is the opinion on only growing only 3 plants per type at the most and as maybe as few a 1 of certain types? What is anyone's general opinion of my plan so far?

Here is a drawing of the general idea with each square being one foot..

SaberTooth · February 9, 2011

My garden spot for my tomatoes is about what you've listed. I intend to have 56 plants - so almost your plan exactly. I have so many varieties I would like to grow but I'm trying discipline myself to limit on 10-11 varieties at about 5 plants per variety. That's the plan any way unless my mom decides to have her garden plot this year - which will double my space (and maybe varieties).

I for one like your plan but would recommend at least a few plants of a variety planted at different spots in your garden. If you plant so many varieties and your single plant fails to produce, you won't be able to harvest seeds for the future so the extra plants should provide you some insurance against a crop failure.

dipchip2000 · February 9, 2011

I used a similar plan last year and ended up growing only one of each variety except for the cherries which I planted along a fence in a different area. I had good results considering the weather last year. This year I am planting five each of three different varieties and one each of about 35 varieties. There are too many new to me varieties that I must try at least one plant. Every year bring back some of your best and try some new ones that sound good to you. Once you are addicted(and it happens quickly) you will search out new varieties. I did not plan it that way but that is the way it is. Yes your plan will work and then you revise it again and again and again. Just my experience.

ron

Farmette · February 9, 2011

Last year I planted 1 each of 40 different tomato varieties on my daughter's property and 1 each of 20 on my property. I have had to reduce the 40 to 30 this year as I have planted garlic in one of the beds. Because I am addicted, I have added some new varieties. This will prevent me from growing more than one of any of them. I have saved seed, so I will not be at risk of not having seed for next year, but I am interested in which varieties you are growing more than one plant of...and is it because they are especially good for you or that they came highly recommended.
Thanks
Chris

Indyartist · February 9, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farmette

Last year I planted 1 each of 40 different tomato varieties on my daughter's property and 1 each of 20 on my property. I have had to reduce the 40 to 30 this year as I have planted garlic in one of the beds. Because I am addicted, I have added some new varieties. This will prevent me from growing more then one of any of them. I have saved seed, so I will not be at risk of not having seed for next year, but I am interested in which varieties you are growing more than one plant of...and is it because they are especially good for you or that they came highly recommended.
Thanks
Chris

Well Chris, a little of both. I'm excited or maybe more excited about some of the new varieties (Absinthe, Black Zebra, Arbunznya)and I know some varieties are or have been good producers and are family favorites (Paul Robeson, Azoychka and Cherokee Purple). I just kept buying seeds and then when it came time to count the plants my original hope for about 3 of each variety had to be adjusted. Here is my early list which needs updated to 26 kinds plus 4 store varieties I wanted to try and grow out.
List

erlyberd · February 10, 2011

You'll be fine growing two plants of each variety. You could always plant two feet apart which gives you more room. So that 4 square feet per plant. Not sure if your big on pruning though. Do you have any determinate plants? Some do nicely in buckets or large pots. Some times with very prolific plants one is enough. Yellow Pear is one of the plants that for me one is enough.

Farmette · February 10, 2011

Indyartist: Looks like a good list! I am trying Virginia Sweets for the first time this year.

barkeater · February 10, 2011

A 4' spacing with rows 5' apart is for sprawling indeterminate plants. I grow mine in cages and they are 3 feet apart. At 3'x5', 15 sq. ft. per plant is perfect.

Also, I hope you are talking about 3 stakes in the row not counting the 2 stakes at the ends of the row. If you plant 3' apart you'll need at least a stake every other plant to do Florida weave.

OneoftheEarls · February 10, 2011

Quote:

What is the opinion on only growing only 3 plants per type at the most and as maybe as few a 1 of certain types? What is anyone's general opinion of my plan so far?

If I only had the small garden ( I grow for seeds) for the family...that sounds fine...are you hoeing or tilling later between rows? I ask because you need to figure on width for tiller and sprawl.

BTW my picks are: Cherokee Purple, Spudatula, Brandywine, Paul Robeson, Amazon Chocolate, Black Cherry, Ildi, Anna Aasa...I have 100 otrher favs...lol But for snack and table food...the above would suffice.

Earl in MI north of you.

BTW, that's Arbuznyi.

kath · February 10, 2011

Fifty-three plants will give you a LOT of tomatoes. You didn't mention if they are just for home use or not, whether you plan to can/freeze/dry/share etc.

I grew only one or two of each variety last year and don't see the down side with the exception of the plants that didn't recover completely from frost damage which therefore didn't get a fair trial as far as production potential, etc. I bagged blossoms to save seeds, since I was only growing the one or two plants/variety.

You are using a much greater distance between plants than I've heard of by those who use Florida weave. Most of what I've read suggests no more than 2 or at the most 3 plants between stakes, and that's with closer spacing than you describe. I used a weave variation last year but pruned my plants and STILL the full grown vines with fruit put a tremendous stress on the stakes which gets greater at the ends of the rows. I'd suggest 5 stakes in each of your rows and at least the end posts should be metal t-posts or something really sturdy.

I think you've got a good plan and it's good that you're making a plan, but I think your tomatoes don't need to take up as much of your garden space as they are. You could have more room for other veggies or trial some more tomatoes, or plant more tomato plants of the varieties you already have, or...as you can see, I have a tendency to plant things too closely!

Have fun with your garden!

kath

remy · February 10, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indyartist

My second issue will be that I have seeds for about 30 varieties and can only grow the 53 plants. What is the opinion on only growing only 3 plants per type at the most and as maybe as few a 1 of certain types? What is anyone's general opinion of my plan so far?

Any cherries and small fruited varieties are your best bet for single plants. Most cherry plants make more fruit than I can keep up with picking and eating. Medium sized types, 2 plants can be good. Large beefsteak types, would be best for 3.
Remy

Indyartist · February 11, 2011

I'm listening to all the feed back, I have to work one more 14 hour + day tomorrow and then after that I'll comment about my comments and what I may change.

surf4grrl · February 11, 2011

I think you're spacing is fine, though you could actually do the rows slightly closer together, especially if you're going to do the weave.

Do you plant on saving seed? And is this seed for you or to trade etc? If the seed is just for you - I would think 2 or three plants is OK - they aren't all going do exactly the same - there will be some variation as to size, production etc - just even by virtue of the fact there are in slightly different places.

If you are going to trade seeds - I'd say at least five plants. I find it's a more robust seed saving program using only the best fruits -taking into account slight plant variations.

But that's just me - I'm probably more conservative when it comes to that - do have Susan Ashworth book on seed saving? I'll check it out tonight and let you know what the recommendatiojn is?

Granite26 · February 11, 2011

FWIW: I plant 20 50' rows 5 or 6' apart. In row I plant the toms 2' apart. I use cages (CRW) and have never really had any problems as they seem to get plenty of space.

You could sure increase your plant #'s by moving closer in row.

surf4grrl · February 11, 2011

Alrighty, Ashworth does not give quantity of different plants - I know there's some variation in what I plant among the various cultivars.

Personally, I wouldn't be comfortable saving from a few plants - like I said that's just me. I hope someone else has a more definitive answer.

February 11, 2011	#12
Indyartist Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 229	I'm listening to all the feed back, I have to work one more 14 hour + day tomorrow and then after that I'll comment about my comments and what I may change. __________________ Indyartist Zone 5b, NE Indiana -------------------------- “Men should stop fighting among themselves and start fighting insects” Luther Burbank

February 9, 2011	#2
SaberTooth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 31	My garden spot for my tomatoes is about what you've listed. I intend to have 56 plants - so almost your plan exactly. I have so many varieties I would like to grow but I'm trying discipline myself to limit on 10-11 varieties at about 5 plants per variety. That's the plan any way unless my mom decides to have her garden plot this year - which will double my space (and maybe varieties). I for one like your plan but would recommend at least a few plants of a variety planted at different spots in your garden. If you plant so many varieties and your single plant fails to produce, you won't be able to harvest seeds for the future so the extra plants should provide you some insurance against a crop failure.

February 9, 2011	#3
dipchip2000 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 664	I used a similar plan last year and ended up growing only one of each variety except for the cherries which I planted along a fence in a different area. I had good results considering the weather last year. This year I am planting five each of three different varieties and one each of about 35 varieties. There are too many new to me varieties that I must try at least one plant. Every year bring back some of your best and try some new ones that sound good to you. Once you are addicted(and it happens quickly) you will search out new varieties. I did not plan it that way but that is the way it is. Yes your plan will work and then you revise it again and again and again. Just my experience. ron

February 9, 2011	#4
Farmette Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 985	Last year I planted 1 each of 40 different tomato varieties on my daughter's property and 1 each of 20 on my property. I have had to reduce the 40 to 30 this year as I have planted garlic in one of the beds. Because I am addicted, I have added some new varieties. This will prevent me from growing more than one of any of them. I have saved seed, so I will not be at risk of not having seed for next year, but I am interested in which varieties you are growing more than one plant of...and is it because they are especially good for you or that they came highly recommended. Thanks Chris

February 10, 2011	#6
erlyberd Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: CT Zone 5 Posts: 186	You'll be fine growing two plants of each variety. You could always plant two feet apart which gives you more room. So that 4 square feet per plant. Not sure if your big on pruning though. Do you have any determinate plants? Some do nicely in buckets or large pots. Some times with very prolific plants one is enough. Yellow Pear is one of the plants that for me one is enough.

February 10, 2011	#8
barkeater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NE Kingdom, VT - Zone 3b Posts: 1,439	A 4' spacing with rows 5' apart is for sprawling indeterminate plants. I grow mine in cages and they are 3 feet apart. At 3'x5', 15 sq. ft. per plant is perfect. Also, I hope you are talking about 3 stakes in the row not counting the 2 stakes at the ends of the row. If you plant 3' apart you'll need at least a stake every other plant to do Florida weave.

February 10, 2011	#10
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	Fifty-three plants will give you a LOT of tomatoes. You didn't mention if they are just for home use or not, whether you plan to can/freeze/dry/share etc. I grew only one or two of each variety last year and don't see the down side with the exception of the plants that didn't recover completely from frost damage which therefore didn't get a fair trial as far as production potential, etc. I bagged blossoms to save seeds, since I was only growing the one or two plants/variety. You are using a much greater distance between plants than I've heard of by those who use Florida weave. Most of what I've read suggests no more than 2 or at the most 3 plants between stakes, and that's with closer spacing than you describe. I used a weave variation last year but pruned my plants and STILL the full grown vines with fruit put a tremendous stress on the stakes which gets greater at the ends of the rows. I'd suggest 5 stakes in each of your rows and at least the end posts should be metal t-posts or something really sturdy. I think you've got a good plan and it's good that you're making a plan, but I think your tomatoes don't need to take up as much of your garden space as they are. You could have more room for other veggies or trial some more tomatoes, or plant more tomato plants of the varieties you already have, or...as you can see, I have a tendency to plant things too closely! Have fun with your garden! kath

February 11, 2011	#13
surf4grrl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: field of dreams Posts: 97	I think you're spacing is fine, though you could actually do the rows slightly closer together, especially if you're going to do the weave. Do you plant on saving seed? And is this seed for you or to trade etc? If the seed is just for you - I would think 2 or three plants is OK - they aren't all going do exactly the same - there will be some variation as to size, production etc - just even by virtue of the fact there are in slightly different places. If you are going to trade seeds - I'd say at least five plants. I find it's a more robust seed saving program using only the best fruits -taking into account slight plant variations. But that's just me - I'm probably more conservative when it comes to that - do have Susan Ashworth book on seed saving? I'll check it out tonight and let you know what the recommendatiojn is?

February 11, 2011	#14
Granite26 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Western WI Posts: 359	FWIW: I plant 20 50' rows 5 or 6' apart. In row I plant the toms 2' apart. I use cages (CRW) and have never really had any problems as they seem to get plenty of space. You could sure increase your plant #'s by moving closer in row.