First plan

d_holck 2/8/2014, 3:59 pm

Here's my preliminary plan... the spot this will go is on a SW-facing corner of the house, and it will get a little shade early in the morning from a magnolia tree. I'm trying to partner plants that I've read are friendly with one another, but am open to feedback.

Zucchini	Tomato	Tomato	Basil
Marigolds	Zucchini	Basil	Marigolds
Marigolds	Basil	Zucchini	Marigolds
Peppers	Marigolds	Marigolds	Peppers

I've ordered seeds for the Zucchini, Marigolds, Basil, and intend to purchase tomato and pepper plants when that time comes. I'm a rookie, so I'm trying to stack the odds of success in my favor to some degree. Along either edge, I'm also planning a more random planting of a 'beneficial bug-attracting blend' that includes cilantro, dill, coreopsis, black-eyed susan, etc.

Thoughts and input are welcome!

**camprn** 2/8/2014, 4:19 pm

I would suggest taking the marigolds out of the sfg and plant them in pots that you can move around. This will free up some squares for food production. Always put squash in outside squares, otherwise they will overtake other plants.

Think about the size of the full grown plants. To get a sense of that, go to myfolia.com for plant dimensions.

mschaef 2/8/2014, 4:35 pm

I agree with Camprn about moving the zucchini to the outside so that they don't over take the basil. Mine always seem to take over so I just let them grow out of the box instead of into other square.

As for you marigold I would not plan to use that many square for them. They are planted four plants per square so I would keep 2-3 squares of them and plant some other food plants. If you are like me when you go to the store to get your starter plants you will find other things that you want to grow and now there will be space for them.

d_holck 2/8/2014, 4:36 pm

Thanks for the tips! I'll rearrange things a bit...

**sanderson** 2/8/2014, 5:21 pm

d holck, Here's my 2 cents but I have only been SFGing less than a year.

Yes, forget planting marigolds as squares. Buy one pony pack and plant one here and there, visualizing 1/4 of a square. I found they took up valuable space as SF plantings.

I would plant tomatoes on one edge with support. A SFG trellis, cage, vertical poles, etc. Plant them with a square in between because they will spread out. Plant something short in that square, even basil. Carrots at 16/square or a couple of cucumbers at 2/square, borage, onions or radishes.

The summer squash at corners, or edges at the least, so they can fall out and over.

Peppers may need support, a stake or tomato cage. Basil doesn't.

Tomatoes and pepper are self fertilizing, but the squash needs bees, etc. or you can use a small artist brush if there are no or few bees. Borage is suppose to attract bees. Oregano or cilantro are compatible with the tomatoes and peppers. NO dill in this box.

Enjoy!

Marc Iverson 2/8/2014, 7:43 pm

It might be worth considering planting single marigolds on the outside perimeter wherever your grid lines meet to make a T. I did that, and the marigolds were small enough they did not crowd the tomatoes, while the tomato leaves and fruit were high enough that they didn't keep the marigolds in shadow.

Bugs ate dozens of my marigolds last year, but I just kept planting them. You might want to consider getting more than you think you might want, and re-buying partway into the season, if you have the same problem. Luckily they're incredibly durable and usually dirt-cheap, especially later in the season.

**jimmy cee** 2/15/2014, 12:46 pm

Last year was my first in SFG, my marigolds went wild in 5 gallon containers..

Below grew very nicely in a partly shaded area. First plan July_111

Would you believe this is one plant ?...it is..about 1/2 days sun First plan Marigo11

FamilyGardening 2/15/2014, 1:14 pm

something like this is how I would set up the box....this would free up 6 more squares to grow some food in......you could add a trellis on the back if you wanted to grow some beans or cucumbers in the empty spots next to the tomato plants... the tomato plants could then use the trellis for support as well.........I would use the suggestion from others putting single *marigolds* here and there....

Happy gardening
rose

Tomato			Tomato
Basil *	Peppers	Peppers	Basil *
*			Basil *
Zucchini		Zucchini	Zucchini

quiltbea 2/16/2014, 12:11 pm

Zukes are going to overshadow anything that's growing next to them. I've grown it for 5 years now and never could get it small enuf for 2 or even 3 squares. They have enormous leaves.
First plan 06-17-11

This is one Black Beauty Zuke early in the season in 9 sq feet of space. Granted, you could do it in less at the edge of the box, but see the size of those leaves while still a toddler. They'll be 3 times that size soon. Nothing can grow well under them except lettuces and greens in their shade.
First plan 07-03-11

By July 3rd and just starting to blossom. It'll get bigger still.
Something to think about in laying out your bed.

**sanderson** 2/16/2014, 1:54 pm

QB is right. I assumed you were going to plant the middle squash at the mid point between the other two. You will definitely need to let them fall outside the box. Unless, you want to try vertically growing them! But that's another subject.

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