Small vegetable gardens as well as large-scale agricultural crops benefit from well-organized planting. Not only does this make daily garden care and harvesting more efficient, but it also can affect the growth of the crops. Row planting is one common way of organizing a garden or a field. You can adjust row planting to meet the requirements of your plants and the space you have available.
Identification
Row planting is when crops are planted in rows, separated by spaces that allow access to each plant. The width and length of each row and space between depends on the plant and on the size of your garden. Row planting is what you usually see when you drive past a vegetable farm or a large field. In that case, there is enough space to allow farm equipment between the rows.
Types
Single-row planting, the most common type of row planting, consists of single rows of plants with dirt on each side. Twin-row planting has two rows very close together but otherwise mimics single-row planting. In wide-row planting, the row is actually a large patch with seeds scattered throughout. According to North Carolina State University, wide-row planting works best for vegetables such as radishes, onions, beets and lettuce. Single-row planting is better for crops such as tomatoes and corn. Finally, the University of Kentucky describes a variation of single-row planting called skip-row planting, in which groups of single rows are separated by a larger, empty space about 2-1/2 feet wide, as if a row or two had been skipped.
Basic Procedure
For single rows, start by placing stakes at each end of the row and tying string between them as a guide, according to the Ohio State University Extension. Plant the seeds as directed on the seed packet. For wide-row planting, use stakes and string to mark off a rectangle, and rake the area smooth, according to the University of Illinois Extension. Wide-row width can vary anywhere from 1-1/2 feet to 2-1/2 feet.
Considerations
Single-row planting might appear to waste space, especially compared with wide-row planting. But according to the Iowa State University Extension, the crowd of plants in a wide row makes weeding more difficult.
Advantages
According to North Carolina State University, wide-row planting can provide a larger yield because there are more seeds planted in wide-row patches than in single rows. In addition, the resulting mass of plants can act in a way that is similar to mulch, deterring weed growth and keeping the soil cool and protected.
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