The quantity and quality of the harvest on a personal plot depends not only on competent agrotechnical care of plants. A major role in growing healthy and fruit-bearing crops is played by the correct location and arrangement of beds on a summer cottage. Some plants love sunlight and, being in the shade, refuse to bloom and set fruit. Others, on the contrary, do not develop well in the scorching sun and prefer semi-shaded areas.
The role of the location of the beds
The success in growing cultivated plants and the amount of harvest directly depend on the correct placement of the beds, their shape and size. Experienced summer residents create on their plots both compact options for growing greenery and large beds on which vegetable crops are planted.
When placing, consider the following points:
- Heat-loving plant. Some crops bear fruit better when exposed to the sun most of the day, others prefer light partial shade, and still others generally like coolness and shade.
- Smooth surface area. If there are strong differences in height and slopes in the garden, the beds are placed vertically, and small depressions are filled in. This is necessary to prevent rotting of the root system due to water accumulating in the lowlands.
- Width of seating space. Too wide beds make it difficult to care for plants, while very narrow beds are an irrational use of the garden.
- Height of the vegetable garden. In the event that groundwater in a personal plot lies very close to the surface of the earth, it makes sense to equip high beds.
Rules for garden planning
When planning a personal plot, several fundamental factors are taken into account, on which the success of growing fruit and ornamental plants depends.
To the cardinal points
Experienced gardeners recommend placing the beds, focusing on the cardinal directions, in this case all plants will receive a sufficient amount of sunlight necessary for full development. It is better to make beds from north to south, but for small plots this rule is less important than for large gardens. In some cases, summer residents choose the direction from southwest to northeast.With such arrangements, crops receive approximately the same share of light and heat, without which you should not count on rich harvests.
On the south side of the garden plot, crops are planted that are especially demanding of sunlight and heat, for example, beans, tomatoes and cucumbers, as well as peppers and eggplants. The north side of the garden is suitable for growing cold-resistant crops, such as radishes, carrots and rutabaga.
Since cold winds blow from the north, it is necessary to place plants in such a way that they are protected from their influence. On the north side, along the edge of the garden, berry bushes, gooseberries or raspberries are placed; their function is to create a hedge that holds back the pressure of the cold wind. In addition, sunflowers, corn or other tall plants can be planted on the edge in a dense wall. However, it must be remembered that it is not advisable to place trees in this place, as they will block sunlight.
The center of the garden is suitable for growing most crops; the sun, moving across the sky during the day, evenly illuminates and warms this part of the site.
If you decide to build high beds on a summer cottage with dry soil, then it is recommended to place them from east to west. In this case, shade will be created from the plants between the rows, and it will be possible to retain moisture in the soil.
According to relief features
Planning a garden and vegetable garden is also carried out taking into account the existing relief on the site. Any plants feel much better on a flat surface in the garden, but not every summer resident can boast of having such a plot.In this case, elevation changes that negatively affect crop growth must be corrected. In the lowlands, after the snow melts in the spring, melt water lasts the longest, and the gardener cannot start sowing seeds. Highlands, especially in the southern regions, are constantly exposed to the sun, which also causes damage to plants.
By illumination
Any crop needs sunlight to develop, so this parameter is taken into account when arranging a vegetable garden. Tall trees that provide shade should be kept at a distance. Tall seedlings located in the middle of the garden will have to be cut off. In the area where there is the most sunlight throughout the day, it is worth placing heat-loving and light-loving crops.
Greenhouses
Forming beds in a greenhouse differs from planning an area in a vegetable garden. If this is a stationary structure, then arrange it closer to the house and outbuildings to make it easier to care for the plants. In the case of temporary greenhouses, choosing an area in the garden is easier - the main thing is that there is enough sunlight and protection from strong gusts of wind.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes that novice gardeners make include:
- location of heat-loving plants in the shade;
- lack of protection from drafts and north winds;
- arrangement of beds along the slopes.
Beautiful examples
As an example, you can use one of the following solutions:
- Raspberry bushes are planted along the edge of the northern plot, and greenery is placed behind them, in a slight shade. The middle is given over to planting pumpkins, zucchini, beets and cabbage. Tomatoes, peppers and eggplants are placed on the south side.
- The northern area is protected from the wind by black and red currant bushes or small cherry trees. Behind them are rows of radishes and carrots. The middle of the garden is given over to planting garden strawberries, and cucumbers and beans are placed in the southern part.
With proper planning of the site, the gardener is sure to reap a rich harvest.
