Square Foot Gardening for Hard Times and Survival, page 1
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ATS Members have flagged this thread 32 times
Topic started on 29-1-2009 @ 05:11 PM by worldwatcher
We have a few gardening threads, but I'm going to focus on the square foot method of gardening geared towards small and urban gardeners..
Lessons Learned from a Backyard Gardener
Growing your own food...in a small space?
Grow Your Own ... Self-Serve Produce Market

I've been container gardening for a while now and finally decided this year that I would start a raised bed garden. I did my research and found Mel Bartholemew and his Square Foot Gardening method. Being that I'm in an urban area and don't have any real yard space, this method seems to fit my needs the best. Now in the square foot gardening books, the author says you can use only 6 inches of dirt to produce crops, being that I'm looking for longer term and feel plants need more space for roots, I changed the plans and made my box 10 inches deep. The soil mix is made up of 3 parts, vermiculite, peat moss and compost and you need weed barrier fabric.

First the costs:
Roughly $25 including taxes for (2) untreated 10x2x12 foot planks were both at Lowes, they also cut them into size for me, I wanted a 3x6 box.
$16 got us a giant roll of weed barrier fabric, I have lots left over, but it will be used at my grandmother's garden.
$40 covered the cost of peat, vermiculite and compost. I bought the peat and vermiculite from Home Depot and bought compost from 3 different stores.
Seeds I picked up end of last year for 10 cents a packet at Walmart on clearance.

I followed the directions in the book and these were our steps and end results:

We laid the weed barrier fabric down...no digging or grass removal.. recommended by the book.. works for us.


My husband built the box and we laid it on top of the weed barrier


We then started filling the box, layering and mixing as we went along


I used string to mark out my boxes within the box (cheap and free)


now it's all ready for planting, I planted spinach, lettuce, scallions and carrots that same day. In my next post I'll discuss what else I'm growing and post current pics.


[edit on 2-22-2009 by worldwatcher]


reply posted on 29-1-2009 @ 05:41 PM by worldwatcher
Now Square Foot Gardening is nothing new and a really just a variation of a french intensive gardening method, meaning you grow more in smaller spaces, while harvesting consistently and replanting as you harvest. Being that I'm in South Florida and have a longer gardening season, I hope to be able to produce something from my square foot garden every month.

Choosing plants or seeds.. carefully read the package and spacing requirements, things like melons and potatoes wouldn't do well confined to just one square foot and while I have a hard time believing tomatoes and zucchini will do well, it's recommended by Bartholemew and so I will try it.

Based on a grid pattern of 3 wide by 6 long, this is what I plan on growing.
rows 1-3 already planted
Row 1: Radish, Carrots, Scallions
Row 2: spinach,spinach, spinach, I will plant alternate spaces, weekly to keep a consistent crop
Row 3: Lettuce, bush beans, marigolds
To be planted by mid Feb to mid mar
Row 4: Jalapeno pepper, Marble pepper, bell pepper
Row 5: Basil, Lettuce, Cilantro
will be trellised
Row 6: cucumber, eggplant, tomato

I'll post pics tomorrow of current growth of the first 3 rows. Now the last three row, I'm doubtful, while the book says it can be done, I'm not sure if the spacing is enough. I was lucky enough to pick up all those seeds on clearance because I have varieties that say bush and space saving, so hopefully it will work.

I'd love to hear from anyone who is practicing or is currently planning to try the square foot garden method.


reply posted on 29-1-2009 @ 05:59 PM by Anuubis
reply to post by worldwatcher

It should be sufficient, but the roots like to spread out a lot. You have to make sure they have enough room or they will choke the roots of other plants. You need to also look at nutrient requirements for the various plants your going to raise. Certain things like potatoes require lots of potassium, but too much can kill or stunt the growth of other veggies.


reply posted on 30-1-2009 @ 01:43 PM by AKARonco
reply to post by antar


Hi Antar, I was curious if you could tell me about composting... do you have to buy one of those expensive compost bins, or is it something I can easily, and fairly quickly, do in my back yard? I've read about it some, but not sure exactly how to start. thanks in advance.

oh and I cant wait until my son is old enough to help me in the garden, to teach him about all the stuff I am learning. I think that is the main reason I am doing it, so in the next 20 years, he will no how to be at least somewhat self sufficient.



reply posted on 30-1-2009 @ 04:45 PM by daddyroo45
reply to post by worldwatcher


Have you ever considered hanging your tomato plants?You can invert them in pots and hang them in out of the way sunny places.
As far as compost,you can compost in the same type structure that you are planting in.You just have to turn it over every few days with a manure fork.I always add just a little lime and ammonia nitrate to my compost,it aids in the breakdown.
I have had some sucess planting corn in a block pattern.Spaceing the plantings eight inches apart.You have to keep them watered,as the roots will intertwine. Over 200 ears in a 6ft by 10ft rectangle.
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