The Gardener's Rake

Square Foot Gardening Benefits

I read about Mel Bartholomew’s Square Foot Gardening many years ago and thought the planting process was interesting so of course I had to give it a try. Quite a few of the planting principles were ones I had picked up on my own Mel’s process was just more involved and planned out. I particularly liked growing squash and tomatoes vertical, as this is what took up most of my space.

My first gardens were very successful although it took a bit of practice to plan the succession planting or using garden space several times during a growing season.  I also liked growing in raised bed gardens. The gardens were easier to mow around. I had fewer problems with rabbits and could cover any garden area easily with a shade cloth, net or plastic it the temperatures dropped. Water and weeding the garden was also easier.

Below is a you tube on Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. If you haven’t tried this form of gardening I recommend it.

 

I use Mel’s methods and a form of straw bale gardening. It’s just a process that works for me and cuts down on time spent working in the garden. It also saves on gardening space, a big plus for those with limited gardening room. And its perfect for apartments and urban gardening. I like to garden but I also enjoy sitting and enjoying the gardens beauty!

Spread the love

Posted

in

by

Denise

Tags:

, ,

Comments

6 responses to “Square Foot Gardening Benefits”

  1. earthmother

    I’ve been reading everything I can get my hands on about square foot gardening. Actually, dreaming of building and planting my first has gotten me through this very loooooooong winter. Spring can’t get here soon enough. I can’t wait to grow my own organic veggies. The thought of walking out my back door and picking lunch…ahhh, heaven.

  2. Tessa at Blunders with shoots, blossoms ‘n roots

    Denise,

    I was wondering. I’ve grown things both the SFG way and regular rows. I’ve noticed over the years that spacing things closer together requires you to water way more than spacing farther apart- has this been your experience. Then this winter I started reading Steve Soloman’s book Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades and his other books as well. I just about fell over when he started saying the same thing in his book! I still grow both ways, I was just wondering if you’d noticed this or not?

    Tessa at Blunders with shoots, blossoms ‘n roots’s last blog post..Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day- March

  3. denise

    Hi Tessa,

    I have noticed that you have to watch your watering more and use a liquid compost or fertilizer more. (same with succession planting, you need to keep the soil fertile) But if you use a mulch on the ground you about even the watering up.

    I also make shallow cup indentations by my plants to hold the water by the roots and I use the inverted pop bottle method the get the water right to the roots where its needed most. I also water in the morning.

    Have you tried making shallow cups or the inverted pop bottle?

    I pretty much hand water now too instead of using sprinklers. Sprinklers take a take a lot more water and I have little control over where teh water goes. With the SFG method I water one small section at a time so watering goes fast. Denise

    denise’s last blog post..How to Decorate your Backyard Koi Pond

  4. Denise

    It has been a long winter! And Square Foot Gardening is a very interesting way to grow. I remember my grandfathers long straight single rows in the garden very well so it took adjusting to wider rows.

    It is amazing to head out the door and pick you own fresh, chemical free food. My favorite is a tomato warmed by the sun or the first fresh peas from the garden.

    Let me know your garden adventures and how they go. Denise

  5. Brian

    The square foot gardening technique looks really good, I haven’t tried this myself but I am not surprised by the need for a little extra watering and feeding. I guess mother nature put a competitive spirit in all of us, so plants close together are likely to fight for their share of nutrients and water, adding a little extra should sort that issue out.
    .-= Brian´s last blog ..Home Grown Tomatoes in Limited Space =-.

  6. Denise

    The square foot gardening method has many advantages. I also find I use less water in certain ways if I am hand watering and not using sprinklers.

    The square foot gardening also helps in those small space gardens.

    BTY. Tomatoes are my favorite garden crop! I lean toward the heirloom varieties. Denise
    .-= Denise´s last blog ..Stone Landscaping – Adding a creative angle =-.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *