Re: [gardeners] Orientation of beds
Terry King (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Mon, 14 Jun 1999 10:43:13 -0700 (PDT)
Hi Harry,
When slope is not an issue I tend to place my beds north--south. I'm not sure why I
do it perhaps I feel that the plants get more even light. My garden is large (nearly
and acre) and has about a 2-3' deep swale running diagonally through it so I do
have slope to deal with. About half my beds/rows run east-west . Can't say that I've
noticed a difference in growth between the two directions. I'm a lot farther north
than you are so I would guess light direction would be less of an issue for you than
me. Perhaps this year will tell as I planted some potatoes east-west and some
north-south. I will let you know if I see a difference.
With regard to placing raised beds, having the long side toward the sun is likely to
keep the beds warmer and dryer. They may then need more water. I did find this
was the case with my unbound raised beds.
On Mon, 14 Jun 1999 11:38:07 -0500, Harry Boswell wrote:
>Quick poll:
>
>Do your vegetable beds run east-west or north-south? I've finally
>finished building the screen house, and Janet has promised she will
>leave me alone and let me do gardening for a while now (I have
>*nothing* planted yet!). I've been in the middle of building some new raised
>beds, and haven't placed them yet, so I'm wondering, since slope is not
>an issue, which orientation is best? It's full sun, BTW.
>
>Thanks,
>Harry
Terry King
taeking@endlesshealth.com
N.E. WA. USDA zone 4b, Sunset zone 1
Last frost day July 4th (most years), first frost usually the week of August 23rd.