KEEP
THE
FOOD
COMING
“When the early
spinach is fi nished, the
storage carrots go in,”
Bill says. “We try to
time it for June 15; that
magical moment works
like a charm.”
When a vegetable
crop is harvested,
a different one
populates the empty
spot ASAP to keep the
space effi cient and
productive. That’s how
the Elliotts maximize
yield in their 60×100-
foot space. Succession
planting works well
with garlic, which is
harvested early in
the season, as well as
quick crops such as
lettuce, greens, and
spinach. Occasionally,
the couple put in
buckwheat and oats as
rejuvenation crops.Garlic is harvested
early, leaving a
spot for another
later crop to take
up residence. By
conserving space
and making each
niche pull its weight,
Bill and Eileen can
produce food for
the entire year.