Newbie needs some feedback on garden plan

13 years ago

I live in the SF Bay Area and this is my first year trying to plan a kitchen garden (instead of just throwing tomato plants in the ground and occasionally watering them). I'd like to solicit feedback and advice on my current setup and how I should proceed from here. I'm interested in trying to make this a four season garden, as the winters here are very mild.

I rent a detached townhouse. Originally my garden plan started out as a container garden only, so I bought a lot of dwarf varietals. But then I started reading these forums, did some trades for a variety of seeds, and got interested in actually planting more stuff in the ground. My yard is 40'x10', and only a small portion of it is plantable. The soil sucks, but I've been trying to work in black compost from the community heap. This past weekend, I also altered the property (without my landlord's knowledge) to include an extended planting area. There are four trellises attached to my neighbor's house but that are "mine" (townhouse rules are weird). Also, because it's a narrow alleyway, I think it only gets about 4 hours of direct sun per day.

I'd like to solicit feedback on:

- Recommendations for spacing and layout on the left (new) side with the seedlings I have ready.

- Recommendations for edible plants that can survive poor soils (and hopefully improve the soil over time)

- How does SFG work when you are growing against a wall? Do I need double the space?

- How do you do your garden planning to plan ahead for when to start seedlings, etc?

- Tips for succession planting considering the long length of the growing season. What should I be thinking about/prepping/starting now so it's ready for later?

Here's my current plan -- the stuff in parentheses hasn't been planted yet. Each square is approximately one square foot. Trellises are built in and indicated by hatching -- I can also build more trellising if it will save space.

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Comments (5)

AlaskaChris
13 years ago
I also grow in beds against a wall (or in my case a 6 ft privacy fence). My beds are 2 ft wide and I just use regular square foot spacing for them. Trellis up the wall are great space savers.

I'm a bit concerned about your beds only getting 4 hrs of sun. Most vegetable need at least 6 hours. Thing like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant do best with even more. Is there any other area you can plant those (even in containers) that gets more light. Some things like your herbs will do fine. Greens also seem to be able to tolerate lower light.

As for when to start seedlings. I have an spreadsheet that has most common veggies and weeks before last frost that they should be started (I put it together from a recommendation chart published by my local paper and some gardening books). I'd be happy to share it but you may also be able to find a chart geared to your area in a local publication, extension office, book, etc. With a longer growing season starting things indoors earlier isn't as important as in area like mine where the growing season is really short.
bella_trix
13 years ago
aeleva -

A few things (other than the 4 hours of sun commented on above) jump out at me.

You may have a hard time with the Brandywine tomato. On the East Coast, I find that they mature late and in SF you will need early maturing tomatoes in order to get anything. I would really recommend the book "Golden Gate Gardening". It has great information on gardening in the various microclimates around SF, including which tomato varieties do OK there.

Also, I can't tell from your plan if you have this, but you will need two tomatillo plants to get pollination, three would be better.

Good luck! I love the gardening out here, but I miss San Francisco,

Bellatrix

Here is a link that might be useful: Golden Gate Gardening
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aeleva
Original Author
13 years ago
Last year I was quite successful with tomatoes on the trellises (IMO it was successful). They grew really tall, once they get up about 6 feet, the amount of light probably increases. It's a good thing to keep in mind though. I am intrepid and going to try it anyway. I live on the peninsula, and I got tomatoes through December last year, so I'm thinking the Brandywine might be okay if not stunted by the light issue.

As for the book recommendation -- thanks! My library has it so I'll check it out. I'd really like to get some assistance with a plan and this might be a good place to look.
susan2010
13 years ago
I have to say that as a landlord, I would want to know about changes. I think you should speak to him/her so there are no misunderstanding when you move. At the very least you should offer to return the landscaping to its original state. I'm a gardener, and it wouldn't bother me, however, not every tenant will be willing to maintain a garden. An abandoned yard with unmaintained beds can be an eyesore. Your landlord should not be expected to subsidize your hobby. And you certainly don't want your landlord showing up when your tomatoes are in full flower, demanding you pull them out.
aeleva
Original Author
13 years ago
My landlord said I could plant anything I want in his yard, as long as it's legal. He is forced to pay for a gardening service as part of the HOA, so as far as he sees it, I'm just doing what they were supposed to do. Much of the beds existed when I moved in and they had been exposed dirt for 5 years; he has already seen my garden and agrees that it is much better than what was there before. I have lived here now for three years; I think it's really okay.

Newbie needs some feedback on garden plan

Comments (5)

AlaskaChris

bella_trix

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