Barley wrote:I'm going to do a little experiment this year. I double dug this plot. I will build another plot right next to it, same dimensions. However, for that plot, I will have my neighbor bring in his garden tractor tiller. Not sure how deep it will go. I will plant my four veggies (sweet peas (I know it's late for them!), cucumbers, zucchini and eggplant) in both plots, and see which one does better. I'm not sure which one I want to do better. If it's the double dug plot, then I've just made more work for myself next year. It it's the tilled plot, then I just broke my back for nothing

The proof is in the pudding (or double dug plot). The peas were handled exactly the same between the two plots (left: tilled, right: double dug).



Closeup from the other direction:



I have some questions as well. Below is zucchini. The two plants are about an inch apart. Should I cull one of them or can they both co-exist and produce well so close to each other?



Finally, these are cucumbers. I know I have to cull, but any advice on how? Should I leave 1 plant every 8 inches, or keep 2 or 3 groups of 2-3 plants? The row is 4 feet wide right now.



Thanks for reading, and for your help and advice!

Cull the zucchini, and remove that smaller plant. The only thing it's going to do is tap resources from the larger one that it could use to produce zucchini. Not that that's usually an issue, those with zucchini plants either end up giving them away or throwing them away...

For culling cucumbers, leave 1 plant every 12" or so. Grouping tends to do the same as planting too close--it limits the root mass of the plant and reduces yield.