I cram plants in on a routine basis. If they seem to be too squished, I move them. Sometimes I only move them six inches. My husband laughs. My garden only has so much space to plant. If I followed "the rules" I'd only have half as many plants.

Good topic.You will figure it out with time.I did plant them closer together , but don't any longer because the water could not reach some because they were overcrowded.Its a personal preference and I think it depends what you are growing , how much rain do you get, do you want to spend time watering individual plants etc.If you plant them closely it will eliminate the weeds.I just think its personal preference and also depends what you are growing.YOu will get bigger crops if you give them more room and you may get powdery mildew if they are too close together.Any disease will also spread out to the next plant if planted too closely..

I'm a relative newbie to gardening and the whole spatial thing is a challenge for me in all aspects of life. I planted a bunch of marigolds but since the slugs ate about 75% of them it will be fine, unless they devour more. Been putting down loads of slug bait (the safe kind) but the marigolds must be more tempting.

Do the commercial label spacings account for loss of some plants?