As we embark on our homesteading journey, one of the most important tasks is organizing our garden space. With 3,000 square feet and a south-facing layout, we have plenty of room to work with, but how do we decide which plants should go in the raised garden beds and which should be grown hydroponically? Hereās how weāre breaking it down, considering space, plant needs, and growth habits.
Raised Garden Beds: Ideal for Deep Roots and Sprawling Plants
Certain plants do better in soil, where they can develop deep roots or spread out. These are the plants weāve chosen to grow in raised garden beds:
Carrots (Scarlet Nantes): Root vegetables like carrots need plenty of room to grow deep, straight roots, making raised beds the perfect spot.
Radishes (French Breakfast): Like carrots, radishes are root vegetables and thrive in raised garden beds, where they have the space they need.
Peas (Early Frosty): Peas need vertical space for climbing, and raised beds offer that, plus better soil drainage.
Bush Beans and Edamame: Both of these beans need space to spread out and grow, making raised beds ideal. If I can work these into my hydroponic frame I would love to.
Peppers (Many Varieties): Peppers, especially larger varieties, need more room for their roots and sprawling growth.
Herbs that Spread: Plants likeĀ rosemary,Ā peppermint,Ā spearmint,Ā lemon balm, andĀ oreganoĀ are better suited for raised beds or pots to prevent them from overtaking the garden.
Chamomile (German): Chamomile grows quite tall and wide, so itās more suited to a raised bed where it can spread out.
Celery: Celery needs deep, moist soil to thrive, so it will go into a raised bed. Like the beans, if I can get it to work in our hydroponic frame, I would like to raise it there.
YarrowĀ andĀ St. Johnās Wort: These are perennials that benefit from being in the ground, where they can spread and thrive.
Hydroponic System: Compact Plants and Faster Growth
Hydroponics is perfect for plants that thrive in smaller spaces or grow quickly, as they can be supported by nutrient-rich water. Hereās what weāre growing hydroponically:
Bok Choy: A compact, fast-growing leafy green that thrives in hydroponics.
Basil: A compact herb that grows quickly in hydroponic systems, offering consistent harvests.
Cilantro, Dill, Chives, Parsley, Sage, Thyme: These herbs grow well in hydroponics due to their compact nature and quick growth cycles.
Garden Cress: A fast-growing herb that works well in hydroponic systems.
Lettuce (Romaine & Buttercrunch): Lettuce is well-suited for hydroponics, as it grows quickly in a controlled environment with minimal space.
Spinach: Spinach is a leafy green that grows quickly in hydroponics, providing a great yield in a small space.
Cucumbers (English): English cucumbers, with their smaller growing habit, are perfect for hydroponics, where they can grow quickly and without much space.
Space: Root vegetables like carrots and radishes need room to develop their roots, while larger or sprawling plants like mint or peppers benefit from the open space of raised garden beds.
Growth Patterns: Tall, wide, or sprawling plants like chamomile or celery require more room, while smaller, compact plants like herbs and lettuce are perfect for hydroponics.
Efficiency: Hydroponics works best for fast-growing, space-efficient crops, while raised beds are better suited for plants that need more depth or room to spread.
Dividing our garden between raised beds and hydroponics helps us maximize our space and grow a wide variety of plants. By considering each plantās needs, weāve created a setup that ensures our garden will thrive. As beginners, this setup feels like a great way to balance growth and space while learning along the way. We canāt wait to see how it all grows and continue refining our approach!
If you have any recommendations or guidance, we'd be happy to hear it; we're still just beginners and we're well aware of it.
