Small Vegetable Beds

Make the most of a small space by planning your crops carefully and squeezing as much variety into the plot as possible. Many vegetables are attractive plants in their own right, but add extra color to the beds by including some flowers, too, which will not only look good but also help attract pollinating insects. Planting vegetables close together also means that there is little bare soil on which weeds can establish, helping to minimize maintenance, but crop yields may be slightly reduced.

• Densely planted vegetables need rich soil, so work in plenty of organic matter in fall.
• Choose vegetable varieties with interesting colors and forms to add drama to your beds.
• Be wary of planting too close to tall hedges, which cast shade and take moisture from the soil.