Square Foot Gardening: A Beginner's Guide

March 2023

The square-foot gardening technique is widely used for cultivating vegetables in limited areas. It was developed by Mel Bartholomew in the 1980s as a way to maximize space and minimize work. The concept is simple: divide your garden bed into square foot sections, and plant a different vegetable in each section. In this beginner's guide, we'll go over the basics of square-foot gardening and show you how to get started.

square-foot gardening technique

1. Choose a location

The first step in square-foot gardening is choosing the right location. You'll want to select an area that gets plenty of sunlight and has good drainage. If you don't have a lot of space, you can use raised beds or containers.

2. Build a garden bed

If you're using raised beds, build your garden bed to the desired size. A typical square-foot garden bed is 4 feet by 4 feet, which provides 16 square feet of planting space. Fill the bed with a mixture of soil and compost, making sure it's well-draining and nutrient-rich.

3. Divide the bed into sections

Divide your garden bed into equal sections using string or wooden slats. A typical square-foot garden bed is divided into 16 sections, each measuring 1 foot by 1 foot. Use a marker or paint to mark each section.

4. Plant your vegetables

Choose the vegetables you want to plant and arrange them in sections. Follow the planting instructions for each vegetable and make sure they have enough space to grow. A good rule of thumb is to plant taller vegetables in the back and shorter ones in the front.

5. Water and maintain

After planting, water your garden bed thoroughly. Be sure to water regularly, especially during dry spells. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and remove any weeds as they appear.

Benefits of Square Foot Gardening

Square foot gardening has several benefits, including:

Space efficiency: Square foot gardening allows you to grow more vegetables in a smaller space than traditional gardening methods.
Easy maintenance: The small size of each section makes it easy to maintain and harvest your vegetables.
Reduced water usage: Square foot gardening requires less water than traditional gardening because the soil is more compact and retains moisture better.
Reduced weed growth: By planting each vegetable in a specific section, you can easily identify and remove weeds.
Better soil quality: By using a mixture of soil and compost, square-foot gardening creates nutrient-rich soil that promotes healthy plant growth.

Tips for Success

To ensure a successful square-foot garden, follow these tips:

Use high-quality soil and compost.
Choose vegetables that are suited for your climate and growing season.
Plant vegetables close together to maximize space.
Use trellises or cages for climbing vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers.
Rotate your crops each year to prevent soil-borne diseases.

Square foot gardening is a great way to grow your own vegetables in a small space. By following these steps and tips, you can create a productive and rewarding garden that will provide you with fresh, home-grown produce all season long.

What are the cons of square-foot gardening?

While square-foot gardening has many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:

Upfront cost: The cost of building raised beds and purchasing high-quality soil and compost can be expensive, especially if you're starting from scratch.
Limited crop variety: With limited space, it can be challenging to grow a wide variety of vegetables. You may need to make difficult choices about which vegetables to prioritize.
Soil compaction: The soil in each square foot section can become compacted over time, which can reduce water and nutrient absorption and limit plant growth.
Small size limitations: The small size of each section may not be suitable for some vegetables, particularly those that require more space to grow or have extensive root systems.
Maintenance requirements: While square-foot gardening can be low-maintenance, it still requires regular watering, weeding, and pest control. The small size of each section can make these tasks more time-consuming.

What are the 3 materials used in square-foot gardening

Square foot gardening typically involves three main materials:

Raised beds: Raised beds are constructed using a variety of materials, such as wood, stone, or metal, and are designed to create a defined growing space. The walls of the raised bed contain the soil and provide support for the plants.
Mel's Mix: This is a soil mix created by Mel Bartholomew, the inventor of square-foot gardening. The soil mix contains equal parts of vermiculite, peat moss, and compost, which offers optimal drainage, water retention, and nutrient availability for plants.
Grids: Square-foot gardens are typically divided into one-foot squares using grids made of materials such as wood or PVC. These grids help to visually organize the garden and make it easier to plant and maintain crops in a specific area.

While these are the main materials used in square-foot gardening, other materials such as mulch, compost tea, and organic fertilizers may also be used to enhance the health and productivity of the garden.

How many plants can you have per square foot of gardening

The number of plants that can be grown in a square-foot garden depends on the size and growth habits of the plants. In general, larger plants such as tomatoes and peppers require more space and should be planted in individual squares. Smaller plants, such as lettuce and herbs, can be planted closer together.

Here are some general guidelines for planting in a square-foot garden:

For larger plants, such as tomatoes or peppers, plant one per square foot.
For smaller plants, such as lettuce or herbs, plant 4-8 per square foot.
For root crops, such as carrots or radishes, plant 16 per square foot.
For climbing plants, such as beans or cucumbers, provide a trellis or support system and plant one per square foot.

What grows best in a square-foot garden?

Here are some plants that grow particularly well in square-foot gardens:

Lettuce and other leafy greens: These crops grow quickly and can be harvested multiple times throughout the growing season.
Radishes: These root vegetables mature quickly and can be grown in the same square as other crops.
Carrots: These root vegetables can be grown in a single square foot if the soil is deep enough.
Tomatoes: While they require staking or support, tomatoes can be grown in a single square foot if the soil is deep and rich.
Peppers: Both sweet and hot peppers can be grown in square-foot gardens.
Herbs: Many herbs, such as basil, cilantro, and parsley, grow well in square-foot gardens and can be harvested throughout the season.
Beans: Bush beans are a good option for square-foot gardens and can produce a high yield.

It's important to note that not all plants are suitable for square-foot gardening. Some crops, such as corn and squash, require more space and may not be well-suited for this method. It's important to carefully research the plants you want to grow and ensure they are appropriate for the space and conditions of your garden.

What is one of the biggest disadvantages to square-foot gardening?

One of the biggest disadvantages of square-foot gardening is the limited crop variety that can be grown in a small space. With a limited number of squares available, gardeners may have to choose between growing different types of vegetables or prioritizing their favorites.