Gardening is not just a hobby but a way of life for many. It's a great way to reduce stress, get in touch with nature, and grow your own food. But let's crank up the INTENSITY! For those who want to maximize their garden's productivity, intensive planting may be the answer. No flipping tires here! I'm not talking about cross-fit gardening, here's what I mean...
High-intensity gardening, or densely planting, are some different names for Intensive Gardening. It is a specific type of planting that focuses on maximizing yield in a small space. With this method of planting you grow more plants per square foot than traditional gardening methods. This is achieved by using techniques such as intercropping, succession planting, and companion planting. The goal is to produce more food in less space, while also maximizing soil health and reducing water use.
For example, pictured here is what has worked for me over the years. I put plants that grow in opposite directions together. Tomato plants grow upward, leaving much space around the bottom that can be filled with radishes. This approach offers a few advantages: first, it maximizes the use of space and yields more food; second, it prevents weeds from growing; and third, it helps to shade the area, which reduces water evaporation from the soil.
This method also works great with companion planting, meaning they benefit from each other in different ways. If you are planting anything in the brassica family, try planting onions or chives in between those plants as a companion. This will offer the brassicas natural pest control and once again, you've maximized your space!
So, what happens if you crowd plants too much? There is the potential for lack of air circulation can lead to increased humidity, which can encourage fungal growth and disease. Second, the plants will compete for resources, which can result in smaller yields and weaker plants. Pay attention to what nutrients each plant requires from your soil. However, in my experience if you have healthy soil, there shouldn't be much of an issue.
Is Intensive Gardening right for you? It is such a great way to maximize your garden's productivity in a small space. However, it's important to find a balance between planting enough to maximize yield and crowding plants to the point where they compete for resources. By using different techniques, you can create a highly productive garden that is both beautiful and bountiful. Do you think you'll try this method? Let me know in the comments!
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