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Square Foot Gardening

post #1 of 11
1/24/07 at 3:35am
Thread Starter 
Someone mentioned square foot gardening in another post on this forum and I am really keen to start using this method. Has anyone else tried this and if so do you have any do's and don'ts that I should look out for?
Jenyfari from Only Cookware and Only Cookware Blog - A Consumer Guide to Cookware
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post #2 of 11
1/24/07 at 6:29am
My sister has done it with good success. Even corn. I don't think it's a pretty operation so don't plan it where it's a focal point.

Phil
more than taste fine
me eat it all the time
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post #3 of 11
1/24/07 at 7:38am
After I decided to do mine, I took a walk around my neighborhood to see what may or may not be acceptable. Turns out that one of my neighbors down the street has done a couple and they look gorgeous. He did them out of concrete blocks instead of wood and has made a bit of a pyramid with them. Because of lighting conditions (thanks to my SunCalc device), mine will likely go out in front. I'm analysing one area a day for light with the SunCalc.
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post #4 of 11
1/24/07 at 9:56am
Making me feel old :cry: mentioning square foot gardening. I remember when it was a very popular PBS broadcast back when we had black and white TV and rabbit ears:lol:
What I've always liked about the concept is its versatility. It's perfect for herb gardens. My wife began using the square foot gardening style when she first discovered it those many years ago and still uses it, somewhat religously, today. It can be done in any open space, with ground level or raised beds. and it's amazing how much you can grow in small designated spaces.
Thanks for the tip on SunCalc. I had never heard of it until I read your post and it looks to me to be something we MUST have. Best price I've found is about thirty dollars. Any idea where we might find it cheaper?

--------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks, FreeRider, Burpee it is :smiles:

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post #5 of 11
1/24/07 at 12:44pm
You sure make me feel behind-the-times. My tv is a 13-inch with rabbit ears. At least it's color.

I paid $30 for the SunCalc through Burpee. The people who invented it have a web site too, I believe. I'm not sure if they sell them directly or not, but I got some free seeds and $5 off my order at Burpee for having an order of over $25.
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post #6 of 11
1/24/07 at 5:47pm

Great method

Square Foot Gardening is a great method, and a great book with very sound advice. regardless of the size of your garden SFG is a great "go-to" source for companion planting and space requirements. Because we use raised beds his methods fit well here.

The important thing is to not focus on the 12"x12" plot, but to look at the plants. You can send pole beans up corn stalks, and plant lettuce in the shadow of various large, leafy items. He has lots of great info about interplanting, which is really the best way to manage a home garden.

I suggest that any gardener should buy Mel Bartholomew's book regardless of your plot size or plans.
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post #7 of 11
1/24/07 at 9:23pm
Thread Starter 
Some great advice so far. I have just been surfing the net for information but I think I will invest in the book. Might also look at the SunCalc product. I had never heard of that before but it sounds like a great device.
Jenyfari from Only Cookware and Only Cookware Blog - A Consumer Guide to Cookware
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post #8 of 11
1/25/07 at 8:14am
I did Square Foot Gardening with a 3 by 17 foot space in a public demonstration garden. It received the most compliments and questions out of the 2000 square foot garden area. The method is a simplified form of intensive gardening.

Do: get both versions of the Square Foot Gardening book by Mel Bartholemew and read them both. Then content is different enough and informative enough to justify it and you should be able to find the first one used for very little. They contain everything you need to know.

Do: Browse and participate in this Square Foot Gardening Forum

Photos of existing Square Foot Gardens:
Examples Page 1
Examples Page 2
Examples Page 3
Examples Page 4
Examples Page 5

Do: Go UP

If nothing else, try a 4x4 foot square. You can grow an amazing amount of produce in this space.

Don't: Not try the method!
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post #9 of 11
2/7/07 at 3:50am
What an interesting thread

Funnily enough, we have a spare three foot by 10 foot patch of land in our garden, and we were talking about this very subject, Just this weekend. I like the idea of sinking bottles into the ground to get to water down to root level.
Thank you for all the ideas:D
Regards
Dave
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post #10 of 11
2/27/07 at 9:29am
romany123,

What do you plan on growing in your garden this year?
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post #11 of 11
2/27/07 at 9:44am
Mudbug

I have already started setting off some carrots, I will be doing also onions, salad crop (four or five different types of pick and come again lettuce), tomatoes, maybe a line of peas, spring onions, courgettes. And I am still thinking about what else, oh yes and spinach.

I will also be growing in a large tub runner beans. As for herbs. I have got a terracotta herbs Pot that will allow it to grow. About 12 different species.

The patch is cleared, and when spring comes a knocking on the door, we shall rock and roll .
Regards
Dave
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