You need at least 5 plants per person and the crowns need to be spaced 12-18" apart and in rows at least 2' apart. You can probably fit 8-10 crowns in a 4'x4' bed.

4x4 bed is pretty small for gus in my opinion. No way to have a bigger space for a more useful amount of production? Even with 1 foot spacing 12 plants would be over-crowded and only produce a couple of meals worth.

Dave

I have 4, 4’x16’ raised beds. I’m the only one in the house that eats it. I really enjoy it canned with a little spice. I’m pretty new to gardening as a whole.

Im just trying to figure out how big I should go for the Gus section.

1 box is for berries, another 4x4 section I’ve dedicated for Rhubarb. The left over space in growing tomatoes, beets, onions, peppers, radishes, and broccoli.

I can put a divider into the bed no problem which I planned on doing if I move forward. I also would place the Gus on an end where I don’t have to worry about the shade it casts.

If you believe I should go larger I can definenitly make the space 4’x8’?

How many crowns can I get in that space and how would you lay them out?

I only had 1- 4’x16’ box last year. I added the other 3 last fall so I’m not exactly sure how much space I’m acrually going to use. But I can always add on again if I need to.

We had an established 4x8 bed at our old place for the 2 of us. We luckily had neighbors who "didn't mind" taking some off our hands! Did some freezing also.

In a 4x8 bed you can easily get 20-22 crowns if you keep it very well fed. Maybe 24 but that would be pushing it I think. Personally I would lay them out in an alternating staggered pattern of 3 rows allowing at least 12" between each and 16" would be even better. JMO as that is how my beds are laid out and they are 5-9 years old and still going strong.

Dave

Last question, what’s your recommendation for fertilizing?