Curious about the salad stuff planting habits. Do you plant in rows or prepare an area and sow seeds in a random (broadcast) pattern? I have done both.

I use the French biointensive method for all vegies. Raised beds, double dug initially, never step on them, plants very close together, never in rows.

I broadcast seeds as well.

Sometimes rows, sometimes broadcast. Peas and beans I like to put in rows, along with tomatoes, just because it is easier to trellis them, but then they have other things planted broadcast around and under them.

I use the "Square Foot" planting method, combined with French Intensive. Basically, very short rows that are close together.

None of the beds are just one or two veggies. Lots of plants are mixed together to confuse pests that prey on just one veggie. I also plant marigolds, nasturtiums, pansies/violas and cosmos in with the plants.

The raised beds are FULL of ladybugs, bees and other bennies - I'm so proud of that. The back garden was just dried dog poop and fleas and dirt when we moved in 8 years ago. You guys have had a lot to do with my success. Thanks!

-nita

Rows and broadcast.
Butr i am going tomore rows in summeer with beans, peas, tomatoes, peppers, corn, Okkra just gets stuck.
But have you tried rowing 1000 seeds from a pack of lettuce? Now i plant inside in aflat and transfer each one outside 1 by 1 and the plants are growing bnigger stronger and healthier BUt mustard, arugurla, etc have to broadcast like a 1# of collards will be broadcast. and flowers seeds are broadcast! be good now

I sprinkle lettuce seed over a wide (9"-12" per variety) area across the raised bed and as I eat/thin them they end up with more space between the remaining plants. If I get a good seed bed, and time and energy permit, I'll dig up clumps to improve the spacing of the remaining plants and transplant to another area. I enjoy making patterns of red,dk. green,light green, etc. when I replant these clumps; it is most pleasing to look at.