Conventional gardens, planted in rows about 3 feet apart, have been popular for many years because they can be easily cultivated with a farm tractor or rotary tiller. However, because of the wide spaces between rows, such gardens are not very space efficient. Gardeners with limited land area may want to plan an intensive garden. Intensive gardens employ space-saving techniques such as wide-row planting, raised beds popularized by the square foot garden technique, intercropping, succession planting, vertical training, and planting in stairstep arrangements. Extending the growing season using plant protectors is another technique of intensive gardening. Lettuce, radishes, and other cool-season crops can be grown early in the spring or late in the fall with such protection. Keep in mind that some intensive techniques may require more time, labor, and money than conventional techniques. Also, closely spaced plants use more water than widely spaced plants, and competition for water may reduce yields during times of drought.

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