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I have another post in this forum, but this is a totally different question. I hope it is okay to post more than one topic.

I am a first time gardener in the ground (always planted in containers before). And I am only planting the veggies I like, but I am unsure if this setup will work. I laid out this setup, not even knowing which plants like/dislike each other. I haven't transplanted anything into the garden yet; I am planning on it tomorrow.

I have been searching through charts/forums about which plants go together, and I think my setup might work, but it's hard going back and forth reading about each plant and what it will or will not go with. Can someone that "knows" help?

Here is my plan:

8' x 22' garden with marigolds around the entire border. (I read marigolds help with "pests," but I also read that is a myth, so I don't know. Besides the many, many, many different insects I've seen in the garden plot, I've seen chipmunks, sqirrels, bunnies and a raccoon, but I don't know what else - I just moved here.)

Anyway, here's the rest, inside the marigold border:

Back row: Broccoli right next to peppers, 2 foot path across to the other side of the back row is corn.

About 1-1 1/2 feet is my next row of lettuce, 2 foot path across, 2 rows of peas.

About 1 foot to my next row of onions, then 2 foot path and on the other side is green beans.

Another foot (hopefully there's enough room) is another row of onions, then 2 foot path and the other side have potatoes.

I HAVE ONE TOMATO PLANT - WHERE DO I PUT IT? I was trying to go from tallest plant in the back to shortest, but where should I put it? Randomly between my pepper plants? Will it be far enough away from the broccoli and corn? Should be a few feet away from each.

Then again, the peppers might run over and have to be planted next to corn with peas in the next row - can I do that?

Will this setup work? Is 2 feet down the middle enough separation? With 1-1 1/2 feet rows good?

Also, how far away should I start the veggies from the marigolds? I was going to do about 6 inches - is that enough?

It all sounds ok. I would put the corn on the north end in east west rows. so it doesn't block sunlight.
Put the tomato plant where it will get good sunlight all day.
The biggest problem you are going to have is the rabbit.
The broccoli will probably be the first to go.
Don't plant so close to the flowers so they don't block the sun.
It may be a little late and too hot for the onions to produce well.

Try to follow the general guidelines, such as putting shade-loving plants north of ones that love sun.
But with it being Father's Day, let me give an analogy: We try to cultivate things and give a fertile environment, but some things are out of our control. Despite our efforts — which sometimes are good, and sometimes aren't so good — the little ones try their best to thrive.
And when they succeed, it's pure glory.
From your post, it looks like you've got many variables but limited options on plant placement. Have some fun, make notes of what you've done this year, then make adjustments next year.
There are better biology experts here than me, but I'm guessing they'll say you won't have any trouble planting any of your plants next to the others.
Good luck!

Agree... you can stress too much. I grow broccoli right next to tomatoes, which the companion planters will say is not good. But the broccoli go in very early in the season. I will be pulling them soon. So by the time the tomato plants are getting big and would be competing for the space, the broccoli are gone.

But are you starting all this NOW? It's really too late to start broccoli, lettuce, and peas now, they hate hot weather. Wait until August and start some for fall crop. I know that sounds contradictory, because it is still hot in August, but if you are planting seeds, the seeds won't mind as long as they are watered. By the time the plants are getting big enough to produce it will be cooling off.

If you are planting onions now, plant them where they can stay and just leave them and let them winter over. Next year you will have harvestable onions. The potatoes should work, depending on variety, but they would do better planted earlier also.

Yes to do any good, the plants should be quite close to the marigolds. Marigolds will repel soil nematodes (https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=171474#171474), but only if they are planted pretty densely, not just popping in a couple at the corners. They may or may not provide some protection against some insects.

The most important variables aren't really companion planting ones, it's cool weather vs warm weather crops. After that, it's which things need more water vs less, soil types, etc.

And for you the most important thing is going to be all those critters... bunnies love lettuce, raccoons love tomatoes... Fence your garden in! Deer netting is good enough for fencing. But seriously, you may think you don't mind sharing with the critters, but THEY won't share with you!

Thanx so much for all of the advice! Trust me, I know it's too late to start now, but the problem is I am living in my bf's house and it was up to him when he was willing to till up a garden for me....I have had things growing under a light very, very well since April 15. Everything is is pretty big now, too big to keep growing in their little pots. He tilled it just on June 1 and it's been raining almost every single day since then and the ground is just mud. Pure, deep, swamp mud. Yesterday and today are literally the first sunny days I am able to go out there (I work full time, and even when we had a sunny day, it was thunderstorming but the time I got home!)

I wanted to fence it in too, but he doesn't want "an eyesore" in his backyard. So....I just got to give it a try. And I do have many marigolds, 52 of them! I grew a dozen, thinking he was going to give me a small garden, but since it's so large, I went out and bought more. The marigolds and one tomato plant is all I have that I didn't start myself.

I am hoping the lettuce is big enough already that it won't mind the heat once I put it outside, but I am sure you are right. *sigh* Come August, which yes, is still very hot here, I can put another crop in, as well as the peas if they won't grow through the summer.

I will let you know what happens, thanx again for the advice!

Hi newbie. I am a newbie gardener too. The very first thing I would tell you is to SLOW DOWN!! Gardening shouldnt' be a race but instead a learning experience for all involved. Don't expect a picture perfect garden or veggies right away. Instead consider gardening as a life long adventure. Ok, off my soap box now

The very first thing to learn about gardening (and I am still in the process of learning) is having the best soil that you can have, which I have been told can take up to three or more years to get it right and than you are still working on it.

When you have great soil, the veggies will follow.

At the same time, decide what your family enjoys eating than grow it. While doing that, to keep things fun, I would suggest growing a couple veggies you think you couldn't do. For me that would be Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts and my beloved "tenders' Eggplants".

And the last thing I would suggest is, have fun. Remember no one is perfect at this (though some do make it look easy) Learn as grow!!

ps and if you ar serious about companion planting a classic book by Louise Riotte (now deceased) has a book called Carrots love Tomatoes that will answer all of your questions regarding who gets planted with who.
I have used some of her planting suggestions and so far this year they have worked out quite nicely

Here is a little guide I wrote up few years ago that may help

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=103267#103267

gixxerific wrote:Here is a little guide I wrote up few years ago that may help

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=103267#103267

Hmm. If cabbage doesn't like tomatoes, does the same hold true for Brussels sprouts and tomatoes?

Or, more generally, if I have ~3 feet between my tomatoes, should I fill it in with something or just leave it for the toms?

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