Focus on… Compact growing

IN times when we’re all assessing our food availability, you may well be tempted to cram as many fruit, vegetables and herbs into your garden as possible. Well, I don’t blame you! Some crops positively thrive when grown in close quarters, but others won’t enjoy it at all, which will result in parsimonious or poor-quality yields. So let’s explore the edibles that enjoy life cheek by jowl.

Spacing basics

Crop spacing influences two things: yield per unit area, and individual crop size. Some crops, notably onions, leeks and carrots, will still produce their highest yields per square metre if spaced close together, but individual bulb, shaft or root size becomes smaller.

Beetroot, turnip and radish, however, will produce all leaf and little root if they are packed in too tightly – that’s