rainbowgardener wrote:Can't tell by looking at the pictures, but I'm guessing you have stuff really crowded. You have 15 tomato plants? I have five tomato plants in a 4x8' bed and that's considerably more crowded than a lot of people would recommend. Do you have stakes or cages for the tomatoes? It is usually a good idea to put your support systems in when you plant the tomato plant. Even though it is small when you plant it and doesn't really need the support so much yet, it keeps you from messing up the plant/ roots later trying to add it.
I am concerned that they are too close. Maybe I should check with some friends and neighbors to see if they want a plant or two before they get too established in the bed.
I do need to put support systems in, I was reading the thread about the different options. Because DH and I both work full-time, these things tend to be done on the weekends. Another reason why I'm afraid we bit off too much.

Good point, though, about the roots.
rainbowgardener wrote:Your corn sounds like one bed, your peppers are one bed. I usually put 3 - 4 pepper plants in a 4x8 bed. but then I put some basil around the edges. Two zucchini plants will fill up a bed unless you grow them vertically up a trellis. And I have no idea what you do with the watermelon. I don't grow it, because I don't have the space. One watermelon plant gets HUGE...
Yes, corn is in one bed. Zucchini in one bed. I'm pretty sure I planted too much of the watermelon and zucchini, but DH kept saying not to worry about it. At least that and the watermelon were just from seeds, so it won't be a big loss if I have to pull out plants to thin the crowd.
rainbowgardener wrote:Incidentally in the picture your garden looks very shady with lots of trees around it. You do understand all the stuff you are growing needs full sun? That means at least 6, preferably 8 hours of direct sun...
Otherwise, it looks great, very pretty and well maintained...
The above pictures were taken very late in the afternoon, almost going into the evening, so the sun was already starting to set. We actually cleared several trees, and the area is in full sun for most of the day. I have more pictures posted online, but those were the best representation of what it looks at this point.
Thank you so much for your helpful information.