| Author |
Garden Gate:  Square foot gardening  |
|
|
Rea231
True Blue Farmgirl
139 Posts
139 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 10 2010 : 04:56:25 AM
|
Has anyone tried square foot gardening? I just got the book from a friend and I am quite fascinated. Space is not limited for me but time is and this looks like it would be much easier to manage.
The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery. |
|
|
krbrown@rocketmail.com
Farmgirl in Training
29 Posts
Kim
Allendale
MI
USA
29 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2010 : 06:37:31 AM
|
I did a square foot garden last summer. I have very limited space. I loved it. You don't have to weed or hoe a long row. You get more produce in a square foot garden. I will be doing it again this summer.
Farmgirl Kim |
 |
|
|
Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2010 : 07:09:58 AM
|
I started it last year with two beds, and quickly went to four. I love it. My garden is large, and it has become overwhelming, but with the raised beds much more manageable. I plan to put in several more if it the snow ever melts! Good luck, Carol
Forget buns of steel, I'd rather have buns of cinnamon!
Farmgirl #680! |
|
|
|
graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2010 : 8:16:58 PM
|
I did a modified version last year and it was so much easier than long rows!!
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
|
|
|
|
fiddlegirl89
True Blue Farmgirl
232 Posts
Kayla
Dunnville
KY
USA
232 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2010 : 8:24:23 PM
|
I love square foot gardening, and my family did it for a couple of years, before we had lots of space. (Well, we did have plenty of space, but we were also trying to do pigs, chickens, and cows! LOL) I really loved that kind of gardening better, but since we've moved and now have pretty much unlimted space, everyone else wants looong rows. Why, I have no idea!
I'm doing some herbs this year, so maybe I can talk the guys into making me a few beds for my stuff!
~Kayla
http://www.custerfamilyfarm.com |
|
|
|
redbud
True Blue Farmgirl
52 Posts
Christine
Luther
Oklahoma
USA
52 Posts |
|
|
ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
|
|
Laur
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Laurie
Boonville
MO
32 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2010 : 12:56:17 PM
|
| Square foot gardening is wonderful, John Jeavons has some great books on bio-intensive growing too that can help maximize output, sustainability, etc. Lots of info! Bountiful Gardens I believe is the website. Raised bed are great for kids, mine little ones were thrilled with their own little beds, and now I smile as my middle son talks about gardening with his new baby girl. First thing he did after getting their new home settled it was to reconstruct several raised beds and fill them with compost, he's asking about how soon Ellie can eat what kinds of veggie:)! |
|
|
|
Candy C.
True Blue Farmgirl
823 Posts
Candy
Mescal
AZ
USA
823 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2010 : 07:42:04 AM
|
I planted a winter garden yesterday and utilized square foot gardening for the lettuces, spinach, radishes and turnips. The peas still went in rows separated by trellises.
I don't have the book but may have to look into getting it. I just looked at the website for recommendations on "spacing." I plan on using square foot gardening for the summer garden as well. I have wanted to try this for years and this thread inspired me!
Candy C.
Farmgirl Sister #977
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. |
|
|
|
Ms. Hannigan
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
Shari
Middle
TN
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2010 : 4:32:10 PM
|
I LOVE square foot gardening! We live at the top of a very rocky hill, and have next to no topsoil. We get tons of veggies from our beds, and it's easy for our girls to help when they can easily see what's garden and what's not. We're planning on expanding our # of beds this year to have more to sell at the farmer's market. I don't think I'd ever garden any other way again. Have fun with it!
...some women are drippin' with diamonds... some women are drippin' with pearls... look at me, lucky me, the only thing I'm drippin' with is... little girls... |
|
|
|
sonshine4u
Chapter Guru
1205 Posts
April
New Prague
MN
USA
1205 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2010 : 07:14:17 AM
|
I too love to square foot garden! It has been great for our backyard space! We started with one bed and now have 4. They are so easy to maintain! I love not having to break up hard dirt and dig up pesky weeds! I literally just pull weeds out of the dirt if they appear. There generally aren't many!
My only thing I'm frustrated with is the space for melons and pumpkins. I think that I need a bed just for these large things as they do take over and need a lot more space.
Happy Gardening!
Playing in the Sonshine
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/sonshine4u |
|
|
|
Ms. Hannigan
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
Shari
Middle
TN
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2010 : 10:24:20 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by sonshine4u
My only thing I'm frustrated with is the space for melons and pumpkins. I think that I need a bed just for these large things as they do take over and need a lot more space.
Happy Gardening!
Playing in the Sonshine
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/sonshine4u
I've not tried it,yet, but I did read that you can plant them (melons & pumpkins) at the front of your beds and let the vines grow along your paths. Let me know if it works!
...some women are drippin' with diamonds... some women are drippin' with pearls... look at me, lucky me, the only thing I'm drippin' with is... little girls...
Farmgirl #1158
blog: http://www.lifegetsmessy.com
website: http://www.eatlocaltn.com |
|
|
|
sonshine4u
Chapter Guru
1205 Posts
April
New Prague
MN
USA
1205 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2010 : 08:11:54 AM
|
I tried to trellis my melons last year, but the summer was too wet and cold for them to get big enough, quick enough.
My pumpkins did trellis over the edge, but because my boxes are in my backyard where the kids play and where we mow the lawn, it became problematic for the vines to be outside the box.
This year I tried digging straight into the dirt along our fence line so they could trellis up the fence. I don't think I worked the dirt enough for them to have a good go at it, plus the bees weren't around early enough for them to get pollinated at the right time. I had a pumpkin set on in early September! It was almost comical! This year I'll be planting more bee friendly flowers to help with the pollination woes! It's all a learning adventure!
Playing in the Sonshine
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/sonshine4u |
|
|
|
tawandasister
True Blue Farmgirl
65 Posts
Sadiemae
Wolcottville
Indiana
USA
65 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2010 : 7:11:14 PM
|
| When you fill the raised beds, do you line the bottom with anything in particular? Cardboard or newspaper? |
|
|
|
Ms. Treadle
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
Leigh-Ann
Northwest
Mississippi
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2010 : 8:00:26 PM
|
I tried square-foot gardening with 2 beds last year and I loved it!! We're building probably 4 more this year. I loved not having to weed huge rows. I agree with my sister (Ms. Hannigan). I don't think I'll garden any other way again.
Blessings,
Leigh-Ann
The only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary. ~Mary Kurtz
|
Edited by - Ms. Treadle on Feb 26 2010 8:01:35 PM |
|
|
|
sonshine4u
Chapter Guru
1205 Posts
April
New Prague
MN
USA
1205 Posts |
|
|
Ms_Ed
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Edwina
Murfreesboro
TN
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2010 : 10:15:41 PM
|
Does any one have pictures? I currently garden in boxes... curious about this.
Edwina Shannon
Live, love, learn, think, give, laugh, try |
|
|
|
sonshine4u
Chapter Guru
1205 Posts
April
New Prague
MN
USA
1205 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 07:34:29 AM
|
Ms-Ed~
If you go to my blog, I have all sorts of pictures of my garden from last year and if you scroll far enough, you'll see my tutorial on a cheap way to grid your square foot garden.
~April
Playing in the Sonshine
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/sonshine4u |
|
|
|
Ms_Ed
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Edwina
Murfreesboro
TN
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2010 : 7:38:29 PM
|
I went to your blog. How awesome. Your pictures of your produce are great. Thank you for sharing. What is called square foor gardening here, we have referred to as raised bed gardening. We've been doing it for years. It's a great way to improve soil. I like your fence idea. I may adopt it. Thanks,again, e.
Edwina Shannon
Live, love, learn, think, give, laugh, try |
|
|
|
criley
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
Connie
Eldon
MO
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2022 : 2:53:56 PM
|
Is anyone on this topic string still square foot gardening?
Coni in MO
Livin' the Life of Riley |
Edited by - criley on May 04 2022 2:54:51 PM |
|
|
|
isewbernina
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Kathy
Salina
KS
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2022 : 3:20:39 PM
|
Square foot gardening
I believe I will try this. I am elderly,78, and getting down on the ground is next to impossible and getting up is not too pretty either. I don't want a big garden just a tomato or two, some cucumbers, green beans and pumpkins. That sounds do-able. My son is coming up from Ft. Worth so I just might suggest this project! I do have a Mantas that will help get the dirt up. What a Wonderful idea! Thank you ladies! Kathy
“Kindness is Free, Sprinkle that Stuff Everywhere.”
"I was cut out to be rich but I was sewn up wrong"
Sister#4076 |
|
|
|
YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7287 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7287 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2022 : 3:31:30 PM
|
Kathy, I sorta do square foot gardening with raised beds 1' X 8' and 4 galvanized tubs. Raised beds and tubs are set on cinder blocks. I'm 80 so like you I no longer can bend over without getting dizzy or get down on my knees. I have Star of David okra growing in 2 tubs and mix-zinnias in the other two. Herbs in the raised beds.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014
FGOTM Sept 2015 & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
|
|
|
|
MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7586 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7586 Posts |
Posted - May 06 2022 : 12:37:36 PM
|
I sort of do this. Our ground here is clay so basically everything I grow is above ground in raised beds. I have done this for quite a few years and really enjoy it.
Krista |
|
|
| |
Garden Gate: Square foot gardening |
|
Square foot gardening
