Intensive planting


The objective of intensive planting is to utilize space more effectively for the maximum duration of time. Plants are spaced in a careful manner so that they can develop without struggling for nutrients and water with nearby plants. Intensive gardening also entails succession planting to substitute crops when they start to degenerate.

Intensive planting methods are specifically appropriate for urban plots that are small and where the availability of space is restricted. Intensive gardening necessitates more cautious preparation than conventional methods, but the yields are a greater diversity of crops and an astonishingly big harvest from an area that is small.

Square- foot gardening technique

  • One of the most extensively known intensive gardening methods is square-foot gardening.
  • The square-foot technique utilizes separate plots of soil 4 feet square.
  • These plots are again made into smaller divisions of 1-saquare foot with the help of stakes and string.
  • The area that is necessary for different vegetables depends on how big the mature plants are.

Square-foot gardening diminishes thinning and reduces the frequency of watering and weeding by means of the effective utilization of space that is available. Seeds and plants are placed in such a manner that they shade the soil. This diminishes the evaporation of water and restricts sunlight obtained for the growth of weeds. It is practiced by utilizing 1/5 of the space, time and money essential for traditional techniques.

Layouts are planned to make use of the precise numbers of seeds or transplants. These layouts are intended to develop only as many plants as required by each person. Since the growing area is accessible from all sides without much difficulty, no specific gardening equipment is necessary. As the garden is divides, maintenance is less demanding.

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Planting crops densely together in extensive rows, benefits from the physical and chemical traits of every plant. Planting crops in close proximity for the maximum harvest of each plant will be useful to every plant, if planted in correlation that is symbiotic.

An intensive intercropping in 3 to 5 foot broad elevated beds will offer the most effective utilization of soil area. Surrounding the borders with soil, brick, stone, or wood will make available an area of control for the soil, organic nutrients, water, and mulch. Plant foliage can be made use of to offer a zone of living shade, encouraging water, nutrient, and soil, preservation.

As broad elevated beds eliminate the possibility of being trampled, they enable all the plants to spread their roots without difficulty and develop to their utmost potential. Hence they develop and flourish in a minimum of pressure, and make available the healthiest crop. Undisturbed plants are in a better position to thwart an attack by insects. Plants have dissimilar sun and shade necessities, and plants that favor shade should be planted beneath those that desire sun.