Farms were big and seperated apart in Virginia during Colonial America, what's the reason behind that?

Question

One of the suggestions is competition... But what else could be possible?

Answer 1

I'd say one reason plantations were far apart, was to prevent the slaves on different plantations from coordinating their efforts to rise in rebellion.

In 1803, the slaves of Haiti concluded a successful rebellion. They coordinated their efforts by communication with African drums, from plantation to plantation.

That rebellion terrified the southern slaveowners.

The slaves of Virginia tried the same thing, but were defeated and severely punished.

Answer 2

lots of land and not many people. So each settler set up at a distance from his neighbours so as to have space to expand- the "wild land" would be cleared piece by piece and planted. Gettin across a piece of land already claimed by someone else would lead to conflict- so since space was not a problem- then wide separation simply made for good neighbours.