Re: [CH] Chile-Heads Digest V8 #658 (was: [CH] Intensive Planting)
Greg Mortensen (loki@world.std.com)
Fri, 21 Feb 2003 08:42:12 -0500
> Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 15:47:13 -0500
> From: "T. Matthew Evans" <matt.evans@ce.gatech.edu>
> Subject: [CH] Intensive Planting
[...snip...]
> Have any of you worked with very intensive
> plantings? I mean, six to eight inches apart? I have heard of folks doing
> this with gardens in general, but not specifically chiles.
During the 2000 season, I used a heating pad (for the first time) to help
germinate my seeds. I was used to getting only 50% to germinate, so I
doubled up the seed in every starter cup. Long story short: With the
vermiculite kept at 95-100 degrees, almost every seed (43 different
varieties) sprouted.
While I had set aside a 20 x 20 area for my garden, I had covered the
majority of it with black plastic (to try and cook the mint plants that
the previous owner allowed to grow wild). That left me with about 20 x 4
to work with. I planted the plants (almost 100 of them) on 10"
centers, and I left a little walkway between block every 3 feet or so
(just like Mel's "Square foot gardening").
The plants produced prolifically. I didn't need to water them often (even
though it was a very hot summer), as the closeness of the plants retained
moisture very well. I didn't need to weed, either. My only complaint is
that it was a royal pain at harvest time: there's not a whole lot of room
when you cram the plants in there.
Regards,
Greg
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