Allotment Garden Seed Sowing Plan

A sowing plan is actually nothing more than making a plan of where you are going to sow certain seeds and when. Of course you can use it for all types of gardens, such as an allotment, a regular garden or square foot garden. You have to take a number of factors into account.

If you do this well, you will be able to harvest optimally from your available space.

So, you determine the order in which you can sow and you can also take into account whether you sow certain varieties at intervals. This will extend the harvest time of that crop and prevent you from harvesting a lot of the same vegetables at once. Below we explain how to make a sowing plan.

When to make a sowing plan

Usually, you do this in the winter. There is not much to do in the garden, so you can use the spare time for it. Moreover, you still have the experience of the past year fresh in your mind. What went well? What do you want to try again? What didn't go well? Was everything in the right place? It's a bit of a chore, but also nice to be able to look forward to the new gardening season.

Choosing Seeds

Of course, the fun part is choosing the seeds. What would you like to sow in the coming season? Make a list of these, but don't order them yet. After all, you don't know if it's all going to fit. You will use this list to make your sowing plan. Are you a novice vegetable gardener? Then choose easy to grow vegetables. On our website you can buy a organic seeds starter kit or an vegetable seeds starter kit. Strawberries, zucchini, lettuce, wild arugula, beets, endives, tomatoes and peppers are also relatively easy to grow.

Noting features

For the different species, write down the sowing and expected harvest time.

See also the Sowing Calendar. Also pay attention to the location (sunny, partial shade, shade), the planting distance, row spacing and the height of the plants and determine approximately how many plants you want to have. This way, you know how much space the species is taking up and you'll know how long a certain species will take up a certain amount of garden. Also, which species can possibly be placed next to each other based on height and shading.

Crop rotation

Each type of vegetable has different requirements for the soil and uses it in a different way. Some species also release certain nutrients into the soil. An example of this are legumes that release nitrogen into the soil. It is also true that certain crops are susceptible to diseases. By growing them in the same place over and over again, the risk of these diseases increases. In order not to deplete the soil and to prevent diseases, it is important to change the location of certain types of vegetables every year. Do this as much as possible in the order described below.

The different types of vegetables can be divided into 6 groups. Each group consists of species with the same soil requirements and possible diseases or pests. You alternate the groups in this order.

1. Potatoes, crop rotation prevents potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans). This

          group includes all types of potatoes.

2. Leguminous crops extract few nutrients from the soil and add nitrogen. This

          includes all legumes such as peas, beans, sugar snaps, capuchins, etc.

3. Cabbage crops need a lot of nutrients, including nitrogen. Crop rotation can

          prevent clubroot disease. This includes all types of cabbage as well as radishes,         

          turnip greens, turnip, rutabagas, arugula, bok choy and black radish.

4. Leafy vegetable crops require fewer nutrients and nitrogen. Examples are spinach,

          lettuce, endive, chard, leeks, and purslane.

5. Nightshade crops require fewer nutrients. In addition, too much nitrogen causes

          few fruits, but a lot of leaves to be produced. This group includes, for example,  

          peppers, eggplants, zucchini, pumpkins, tomatoes. Potatoes do also belong to this 

          crop.

6. Root vegetable crops require very little nitrogen. Examples are carrots, of course,

          but also onions, garlic, beetroot, fennel and celeriac.

This only applies to the annual varieties. Rhubarb, asparagus, strawberries, etc. stay longer on the same spot. So, keep this in mind in your planning.  You can now divide your chosen vegetable seeds into the different groups. And based on what you've grown in the past year, you can already determine where what should go.

Please note that this also applies to growing in the greenhouse. Because crop rotation is difficult to apply here, as space and the number of species are limited, you can choose to replace the top part of the soil with new soil every year.

Companion planting

By growing some types of plants side by side, they can strengthen each other or ward off pests and diseases. But the other way around is also possible. This is also called 'bad neighbour and good neighbour'. For example, by planting garlic next to strawberries, the taste of the strawberries is improved and woodlice are kept at bay. Onions next to carrots prevent the onion and carrot fly. See the companion planting schedule for more information.

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Create your sowing plan

Now that you have collected all the data, you can start classifying the different species into the available space you have in your garden. Of course, this can be done on paper and many examples can also be found on the internet. See, for example, this image:

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In doing so, you take into account the points of attention described above as much as possible. Sometimes you will have to deviate from this slightly, because it is not quite what you want. For example, because you would like to have a certain species.

After planning all seeds, you should know which varieties and how many seeds to order.

Why buy seeds from Dutch Garden Seeds?

We from Dutch Garden Seeds have a wide range of seeds. Both flower seeds, herb seeds and vegetable seeds. We also have a large organic range. You can find a lot of information on or website, for example how to grow, fertilize, and take care of your plants. We find it important that you are well prepared and will achieve the greatest results.

Buying in our webshop is not a bad choice. We are always there for you. If you have any questions about your order, for example, you can always contact us. The nice thing about growing from seeds is that the plants are often stronger and grow without pesticides. So, it's a fun activity and a healthy one at the same time!