[centro]

I have created 3 raised beds for growing vegetables. 2 measure 4 x 4 and the third measures 8 x 4. I have had reasonable success growing all manner of vegetables in the last 2 years but I feel I am not getting the most out of the space.

Has anyone got any tips on how to grow the most amount of veg all year round?

Thanks

[SnooziSuzi]

Hi Centro,  have you tried intercropping?  it's where you plant faster growing stuff (eg salad crops) in between slower stuff like sprouts or sweetcorn.

Admitedly it's a better technique for summer growing but it could leave an area that was being used for lettuces and radishes to be used for a longer growing crop, eg pumpkins or squashes that need more time.

[outdoorgirl]

The 'square foot' gardening system seems to be based on maximising crops and minimising effort.  I haven't tried it myself but it might be worth looking into.

[Ice]

Doc Hessayon says Have your beds running north to south.  Choose early maturing dwarf varieties.  Yield per plant is less but yield per square foot is often higher.  Plants are grown closer together and with equal spacing all round.

I love my raised beds.

[Bombers]

I've never been one for 'regimented' lines/spacings either. I think you can get away with planting stuff a bit closer together in the beds anyhow. I harvested 60+ garlic's and 36 good size onions from 8' x 4' beds this year. plus 2 8' rows of Leeks, 2 rows of Beetroot, and a  row of Celeriac in another one