Square Foot Gardening Method


Square Foot Gardening


Square Foot Gardening Cookbook

Square Foot Gardening Method

The square foot gardening method is a method of intensive gardening utilizing raised beds and a grid system to maximize production. This is an excellent gardening method for people who have limited space or poor soil conditions.

There are three basics for the square foot gardening method.

The Box: Build or buy boxes that are 4 feet x 4 feet. You'll want to line the bottom of the box with weed fabric. This will cut down on weeds growing up through the bottom of the box as well as give you a place to put your planting mix.

The Mix: Create your planting mix using equal parts of peat moss, vemiculite and blended compost. Do not use regular garden soil for this step.

The Grid: Divide your box into 16 squares using something like wood lath. Remember your not using the square foot gardening method if you don't use this grid. The idea behind this is to have ever square foot producing at its maximum throughout the growing season.

Advantages to the square foot gardening method include:

You don't need to worry about your existing soil condition because you are going to be building your own planting mixture that is perfect for growing flowers and vegetables.

This type of gardening requires 80 percent less space. You don't waste space between rows. Ever inch is utilized to produce your crops.

The planting mix that you create will hold the moisture better than most soils and will cut your watering by as much as 90 percent.

You don't need to fertilize because your plant mixture will contain all the nutrients that your plants will need.

You won't have to spend hours weeding your garden. The few weeds that might show up can easily be pulled because your planting mixture will be loose.

This is a fun, easy method of gardening that everybody in the family can participate in and enjoy.