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When planting a vegetable garden, should the rows run north to south or east to west?

Question #95508. Asked by rupert774.
Last updated Jul 15 2021.

Related Trivia Topics: Food & Drink  
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triviapaul star
Answer has 6 votes
triviapaul star
19 year member
333 replies avatar

Answer has 6 votes.
"Now that you have decided on the location, which crops and how many plants you are going to grow, it's time decide where they best fit in the garden. The tall crops such as peas, beans and corn, should be planted on the north side of the vegetable garden. In this way they will not shade the rest of the vegetable crops. In the center of the vegetable garden area, plant the medium sized crops such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, squash, pumpkins and other mediums sized crops. Then at the very southern end of the garden is where the low growing crops like radishes, carrots, beets, lettuce, onions and other low growing ones are planted. Whenever possible, I think the rows in the vegetable garden should run north and south, for best sun exposure and air circulation. If the rows run east and west the first row tends to shade the second row, the second row the third and so forth..."

humeseeds.com/vegplan.htm webpage no longer exists

"Tall-growing crops should be planted where they will not shade or interfere with the growth of smaller crops. There seems to be little choice as to whether the rows do or do not run in a general east-and-west or in a general north-and-south direction, but they should conform to the contours of the land."

hoptechno.com/book26.htm webpage no longer exists

Most experts believe that the best way to orient garden rows in the Northern hemisphere is north to south. This gives the most sun exposure and allows for ample air circulation. When crops are planted east to west, the rows tend to shade each other.
link https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/vegetable-garden-orientation.htm

Response last updated by gtho4 on Jul 15 2021.
May 09 2008, 5:41 PM
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triviapaul star
Answer has 7 votes
Currently Best Answer
triviapaul star
19 year member
333 replies avatar

Answer has 7 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
It doesn't seem to matter very much. Traditionally, vegetable plots are east-west, with the rows running north-south, small veggies (radishes etc) in front, medium sized veggies (cabbage) in the middle and large veggies (beans) in the back (north).

"17. Q. Should the rows in my vegetable garden run east and west or north and south or does it make a difference?
A. The slope of the land determines which way the rows run in your garden. Wherever the garden soil is not level, rows should run across the slope to reduce soil washing and erosion. Otherwise, direction of garden rows is not important.

link http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/vegetables/non-crop.html

May 09 2008, 5:46 PM
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1cyprus star
Answer has 4 votes
1cyprus star
19 year member
190 replies avatar

Answer has 4 votes.
Another major factor is that you need to rotate your crops to prevent disease and deficiencies in the soil.

link https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=124

Response last updated by satguru on Dec 17 2016.
May 09 2008, 11:25 PM
eastft
Answer has 0 votes
eastft

Answer has 0 votes.
Professional greenhouses "always" plant rows north-south to take full advantage of the morning and afternoon sun. North south give better spread of sun over the beds as it passes over from side to side. As the sun travels from east to west, the plants aren't shaded by those on either side. But remember, too, that in Southern Hemisphere, the sun always stays in the Northern sky as it moves east-to-west, so if you put your short plants at the Northern end, they aren't shaded by taller plants to the south (in southern hemisphere). In winter, the south wall is often solid & insulated (in southern hemisphere).

Aug 15 2010, 3:14 PM
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