■ Succession planting keeps the garden in continual production. Whenever one crop is harvested, have seedlings ready to transplant in its place. For best results, use quick-maturing varieties to fit several crops into one season and spread out the harvest.
■ “Intercropping” means growing two or more crops together to save space. Plants should be placed close enough so that their leaves will touch, shading the ground between them when they are fully mature. This will keep weeds down and conserve moisture, eliminating the need to mulch and weed. As the plants begin to crowd out their neighbors, harvest the early-maturing ones, leaving room for the others to develop. For example, pair lettuce with longer-season vegetables such as broccoli, peppers, or tomatoes.
■ Some intercropping partners thrive if their roots occupy a different depth of soil. Pairing shallow-rooted vegetables, such as bush beans, with deeply rooted beets makes good use of space without creating root competition. Similarly, planting heavy feeders such as cabbage or cucumbers with light-feeding carrots or beans reduces the competition for soil nutrients. The best intercropping partners are
Most vegetables need a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight a day. These are exceptions:
■ Leafy greens (lettuce and spinach) grow well in part shade.
■ Beets, garlic, peas, and radishes can get by on 4 hours of sun a day.
■ Corn, eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes require 8 hours of sun per day to bear the most fruit.
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