Reposted - Distances on sowing & planting

[Primrose]

John, you raised an interesting point about plant spacing and I wonder if everybody else follows the recommended planting/spacing rules? I suspect it partly depends on how much land you have available. Certainly hoeing is easier if there is more space and you're not continually worrying about damaging plants & roots but I'm afraid I break most of the rules trying to grow a quart in a pint pot and just manure as much as I can to keep soil fertility at a good level. Is there any evidence that following suggested planting distances improves crop yields?

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Primrose, i always give my plants more space than is suggested, but i have a large area of ground.
As long as your ground is in a good state of fertility, and your prepared to give extra water, you will get equally good crops.
I think most of these suggested distances are only guidelines.