Last Updated on April 15, 2024 by Real Men Sow
Double digging is possible, and organic compost can be added to the soil after it has been compacted. Then, someone asks if you are using square foot cultivation or if you plan to grow your own vegetables in rows.
There are many ways to grow fruits, vegetables, and salads. Some of these methods you may be familiar with, while others are new to you.
The History Behind Growing Vegetables in Rows
It is often said that row gardening was introduced in the late 18th century with increased agricultural machinery use. This is often because people get muddled between farms and gardens.
Long straight runs are the best way to use plows, regardless of whether they’re hand-pulled, horse-drawn, or mechanical. Rows have been used on farmland for hundreds of years, if not thousands.
Small Gardens and Cottage Gardens
Peasantry consisted of both free men and those who were part of the manor. However, most cottages had a garden attached to it. They would then grow what we call a ‘kitchen garden’ crop, which is carrots, pot herbs, and so forth. For practical reasons, those with larger plots (4 acres or more) likely grew staple vegetables in rows. They were more likely to have grown a mix of edible plants in smaller gardens.
The idea of domestic gardeners growing vegetables in rows was born out of the growing interest in gardening in the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth centuries. This was partly due to the growth of urban middle class wealth that encouraged this interest in gardening.
Growing Vegetables in Rows
Why are vegetables grown in rows?
Many vegetable gardeners find it easier to calculate how many seeds they will need to plant to feed their families because of the simplicity of rows. While we might think of rows as long straight lines, they can also be blocks of the same vegetable. For example, two-meter long rows. This could vary depending on the vegetable. It can be as many as 4-8 rows wide.
Rows can be used to distinguish between crops and weeds. It makes it easier to identify what to remove. You can place a plank in the space between rows so that you can move along and hoe out the weeds without stepping on your crops.
Crop Growing Methods – Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is the best way to grow vegetables in rows. It is a method of growing different crops in the same area over successive years to reduce pests, diseases, and maximize soil nutrients.
A three-course rotation is when crop A is grown in area D in years 1 and 3. There are also four- and five-course rotations. The number of edible plant groups will directly affect the number of courses. Brassicas, roots and legumes are three of the most commonly used groups. This is illustrated in the Crop Rotation article.
Monocultures are those where only one crop is grown. Crop rotation is crucial. This could be in a raised bed, or a ten-acre field.
