With Square Foot Gardening, youll do less weeding and digging, and use easy-to-handle tools.
It’s about 2 percent of the work youd do in a standard vegetable garden.
Bonus: It will cost you about 50 percent less.
Credit:Bob Stefko
We’ll teach you how to get started.
Avoid low areas that may turn into puddles after a hard rain.
Bob Stefko
2.
Credit:Bob Stefko
Build a Raised Garden Bed
The most common configuration for square-footraised garden bedsis 4x4 feet.
At this size, most gardeners can reach the middle from any side.
Plus, this size divides easily into a grid of sixteen 1x1-foot squares.
Credit:Bob Stefko
Make your sides at least 6 inches deep.
Growingroot vegetables such as carrotscall for sides that are 12 inches deep.
You may be wondering if you need a particular soil for Square Foot Gardening.
First, loosen and aerate the ground soil.
Then,mix in enough compost(and extra topsoil if needed) to fill the frame.
For a more scientific approach,test your soilto determine its composition.
Blend the ingredients well, whetheramending the existing soilor creating a new soilless mix.
Some gardeners use a portable concrete mixer to get a uniform texture and distribution of particle sizes.
Blend all the ingredients on top of a tarp and then shovel the mixture into the frame.
(Use nails or screws to attach the grid to the sides of the frame.)
Being able to see each square-foot section clearly simplifies planting.
Place plants in the dirt, leaving a shallow depression around each one to help hold water.
You may want to shade newly planted vegetables to protect them from wilting.
Water daily for a few days and then remove the shade and water weekly.
Don’t water from overhead.
Don’t panic; it will still take less than 10 minutes to water a 4x4-foot garden this way.
If your schedule permits, water in the morning.
(You don’t want to disturb the roots of vegetables growing nearby.)
Because weeds won’t compete with your vegetables for nutrients, you probablywon’t need to fertilize.
Pest Control
Inspect your garden daily tospot insect trouble early.
Bush tomatoes (determinate) produce fruit all at once.
Each plant requires four squares but won’t need staking.
You’ll still harvest vegetables when young, tender, and at their flavor peak.
Onions and Brussels sprouts take the longestat least 20 weeks.
Square Foot Gardening Foundation.
Square Foot Gardening Method.
Square Foot Gardening Foundation.
Pros and Cons of Square-Foot Gardening for You.
The Old Farmers Almanac.
