“I found a better way to garden, one that’s more efficient, more manageable, and requires less work.”
Those are the words of gardener Mel Bartholomew, the man who developed the concept of Square Foot Gardening in 1981. His guide on the subject eventually became one of the bestselling gardening books of all time.
So what exactly is Square Foot Gardening and why should you consider doing it?
Essentially, the method involves planning and building your gardening plot in a way that allows for a high yield of produce within the confines of a small space. It can allow those with limited time and resources to effectively achieve their goal of growing their own food.
If this practice sounds ideal to you, here are a few tips to help you get started!
Starting from Square One
To get your Square Foot Garden going, you must first determine the amount of space you have to work with. The most common size for this type of garden is 4 by 4 feet, but you may add or take away as many squares as needed based on how much you want to grow. Once you have your measurements, you can start by building a raised garden box out of new, untreated wood. This box needs to be able to withstand constant contact with water (cedar, redwood, and hemlock are all good options.) Ideally, your box should be at least 6-12 inches deep to provide enough space for the plants’ roots to properly expand.
Next, in the spot where you plan to host your garden, ensure that you have a level space by trimming the grass and laying down cardboard and/or newspaper that will decompose over time. This helps to prevent grass and weeds from invading your garden. Once you’ve placed your garden box, the next step is to fill it with soil. According to the Square Foot Gardening Foundation, the ideal mix is an equal combination of blended compost, peat moss, and coarse vermiculite.
Once you’ve filled your box and lightly watered the soil, it’s time to place your grid. Depending on the materials you have available, there’s an infinite number of ways this can be accomplished. Best of all, none of them have to be expensive! As the name implies, you will divide your garden into equal sections measuring 1 foot by 1 foot. To separate your sections, overlay the box with small strips of wood, plastic piping, mini-blinds, or even some durable string. The goal is to create visible sections so you’ll know where to plant your seeds.
Squaring Up
Once your Square Foot Garden box is prepared, it’s time to plan your plantings. Choosing what to grow can take some research, as you need to know what’s possible for your space and region. You’ll also need to know what types of plants can successfully grow in close proximity to each other and how many of those plants can be planted per square. Your local greenhouse (that’s us!) is a great resource for plants, supplies, and expert advice.
After selecting and securing your plants, it’s time to plant them! Each square can typically hold anywhere from 1 to 16 plants depending on their final size. This is important to note, so you can make sure you’re maximizing your growing space while also being mindful not to overcrowd your plants.
Once your seeds are sown, all that’s left is to take care of them. As with any type of garden, you’ll need to regularly water (but not overwater) your plants. Mulching will also help to retain moisture for your plants and keep your soil healthy (which is important when growing multiple plants in a small space.) And, finally, the ever-important weeding of your garden will prevent unwanted growth from stealing crucial nutrients from your plants.
All Squared Away
For planning, planting, and upkeep, Square Foot Gardening is a great option for both novice and experienced gardeners to grow a lot of plants in a small space. To make the most of your new garden, here are a few more pointers.
- For vining crops such as pole beans or tomatoes, consider adding a trellis to your garden. This allows the plants to grow vertically, thus maximizing your space even more.
- If you live in a variable climate, you may choose to build a dome over your garden to provide extra protection from the elements and extend your growing season. This can easily be accomplished with PVC pipes and garden fabric.
- Regular harvesting and pruning is key to make sure your garden doesn’t become overwhelmingly full. This keeps your space tidy and ensures that all of your plants have proper access to essential nutrients.
- When planting, pay attention to how much sun each area of your garden is getting. Each type of plant requires different amounts of sunlight, so it’s best to place your seeds accordingly.
- Consider the water requirements for each plant, and try to keep like-types together in the same area. This will ensure you’re adequately watering the plants that need it and not overwatering those that don’t.
If you’re ready to start creating your Square Foot Garden, stop by our greenhouse for seeds, supplies, and expert advice from the pros.
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