Square Foot Gardening Anyone? (grown, containers, vegetable, south)

[AliceT]

I can't do square foot gardening, too low for my bad back. So I really raise the beds to new heights. -
This is one garden that comes up to meet me so I don't have to bend over.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

I bought my square foot gardening material today. Got everything from Lowes for a 4'X4' square foot garden (wood, compost, peat moss, vermiculite, deck screws, twine) for $50. I did skimp a little on the vermiculite and only bought two small bags, but I am on a tight budget and could not afford a $25 bag. I will post some pics when I put it all together.

[brokencrayola]

When I was single and lived in an apartment with a yard I did square foot gardening. It works better when you are growing smaller amounts of food. It doesn't work as well if you have a large family or do major preserving. I got the book mentioned on square foot gardening as well. I also rotated crops and grew things next to each other that did well together.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

I put my boards together today as I prepare for my first spring with a square foot garden. I know cedar wood is best, but I am on a tight budget and got some inexpensive wood at Lowes today instead. I bought two 2" x 8" x 8' ($6.33 each) and had then cut them in half so I had four 4' sections. I used 3" deck screws to attach the boards together to make my 4' x 4' frame. I plan to make the soil mix early next week and start getting some plants going as well as putting in some transplants I have started inside. Here is what my 4' x 4' square foot garden frame looked like after putting it together today.

[DubbleT]

You want to come over and help me put one together?

[Jaxson]

Me too but could mine have 3 foot legs and a bottom please?

[snkalaska]

Originally Posted by younglisa7

As far as I can tell there is no soil/dirt in a "Square Foot Garden" so no weeds.

It's a mix of:
1/3 coarse vermiculite(which I found on-line)
1/3 peat moss
1/3 mixed or natural compost

Here is a site for the vermiculite which you should be able to find locally comes Spring.

Vermiculite 4 cu ft.


Here is my garden plan according to the SFG directions. I will have 3 trellises on the north side to let those veggies climb.



This is the official site for Square Foot Gardening. I think it sounds great for a beginner. We'll see.

The Official Site of Square Foot Gardening and Mel Bartholomew, Originator and Author

I applaud you for starting a garden. The news says gardening is on the increase as people try to save money in this economy. It also gives you fresher and more nutritious food.
Looking at the layout the book recommends, it looks pretty good. I would think about succession planting too. For example radishes are usually a pretty fast and early harvest, whereas carrots are good to harvest in the fall when it gets near freezing, because it makes them sweeter. Just a thought. Have fun!

[Catmom69]

NORTH RALEIGH GUY is off to a good start. When I have started my SFGs in three locations (all heavy red clay areas), I removed the sod and dug out about six inches of soil before placing the frame. Then all the soil, vermiculite, peat moss, fertilizer and lime were mixed together in the hole/frame. This gives plenty of depth for root systems and straight carrots. I interplant things and also do succession planting. The SFGs have been easy to care for and very productive. My first garden was started in 1986, so I have had time to experiment with many veggies and have had good luck with all.

[brokencrayola]

You can do square foot gardening in raised beds as well, best of both worlds.

[Jaxson]

Originally Posted by brokencrayola

You can do square foot gardening in raised beds as well, best of both worlds.

Since I am not a handy ma'am I need somebody to come build me some. In the meantime I have kids that do nice bending.