How many plants do I need?
This is a perplexing question to new gardeners and sometimes challenges experienced gardeners, too. There are some tricks and techniques to help you figure out how many plants to grow or purchase, and how to set them in the garden in the orderly measured patterns used to produce a uniform planting result.
Measure the Garden
Flowers generally have a typical mature size, so you can use that to plan ahead. To plan accurately, measure the planting space and research your flowers ahead of time. Be aware of both the dimensions of the space to be planted and the anticipated mature size of your flowers. Then purchase (or raise) the correct quantity of plants needed for your design. It is frustrating to plant a row and end up three plants short, or to finish planting and realize you have a dozen (expensive) plants left over - and nowhere to plant them!
Planting On Center
Planting on center is an expression used to designate plant spacing. Planting ten inches on center means you allow ten inches between plants, measuring from center stem to center stem. Set out your plants with consistent spacing between them by measuring on center. In the garden, use a yard stick or measuring tape or mark your shovel handle with commonly used increments such as 6, 9, 12 and 18 inches.
continued as How Many Plants to Use
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Copyright 2006 Barbara Martin
