square foot gardening

[longshot]

has any one used this method? if so what kind of yeilds did you get and how does this method differ from row cropping in yeilds and time invested in weeding and such.

thanks
ls

[Walking_Tall]

I use the SFG method and I highly recommend it. I am by no means an expert in any method of gardening. I chose SFG because it seemed to be the solution to every objection I had about gardening.

As for yields, I cannot help much as I have nothing to compare to, but I can say that any vegetable that we grew, we had a sufficient amount to eat. The produce is probably a little smaller than you may be accustomed to.

The time spent maintaining the garden (weeding, pest control, etc.) is minimal. I did all weeding and checking for pests on a daily basis (about 3-5 minutes per day), and was able to observe and control any problems right away.

My recommendation to anyone who is considering this method is to set up one square (4' X 4') like the author of the book recommends and see how well you like it. I deviated from that recommendation and did 3 squares, but I was convinced that this is the simplest and best method of gardening for me. After that first trial, my opinion has not changed. I have used this method for about 1 1/2 years now and I doubt that I will ever switch to row gardening. We will be expanding our garden this year because we moved and have more space for growing.

Most of your time is actually spent getting the squares built and setting it up. But once this is done, it is easy to maintain, it produces sufficient quantities of food, and it use less water and space. As I said, try planting one square and see how you like it. I'll be surprised if you don't like it. But even if you don't, you won't have a lot of time invested (or wasted) on it.

Jerry

[Shamrock1121]

I used this gardening method in a narrow space between our garage and a sidewalk and it worked out very well. We had more then enough produce in small 12-inch spaces to eat, as well as enough to freeze and dehydrate. Couple that with planting as much fall crops as possible. I did find placing some stepping stones/pavers here and there made harvest easier since I could only get into the garden from one side.

The nice thing is that you can save on water using this method. Some things only need 1 gallon of water per week, so it's easy to water what needs watering, rather than water everything. It's easy to water using a watering can or bucket. I also used pop bottle drip irrigation in some of the sections. (http://www.yougrowgirl.com/garden/dripsystem.php)

I don't waste garden space for lettuce, but plant it in a really large planter in the early spring. I can easily move it to a sunny/protected area. I divide the planter into fourths and plant each section a few days after each other so that I have it growing at different rates. Harvest from the first quarter when it gets mature, then the second quarter, and by the time I've harvested out of the last quarter, the first is ready to harvest again. You could do the same method by using several smaller planters and seed each one several days later than the first and consectutive ones; and harvest out of each pot. When the lettuce is spent and the weather heats up (middle to the end of May usually), then I take out the lettuce, amend and feed the soil, and put in end-of-the-season 1/2-price flowers from the garden center.

Then when the flowers start looking pitiful from a hot Kansas summer, I take them out, amend the soil again and plant a fall crop of lettuce in the pot.

-Karen

[CACHECRAVEN]

I have an extra copy of the Square Foot Gardening book that I would be happy to mail to anyone who wants it.
Lisa

[longshot]

lisa i'd love to get that copy. please PM me how much to post to Canada and i'll send you a money order.

thanks

longshot.

[jajbellsouthnet]

Using the Square Foot method, I get a higher yield than using any other method. I carry Mel's system one step further. I made up 1/4" plywood templates for each of the plant spacings (5 total) and use these templates to cut 1" dia. holes in sheets of cardboard. I lay these perforated cardboard sheets in my raised bed, plant and forget. The cardboard acts as moisture-conserving mulch and reduces the weeding chores to zilch. Next cycle, if it is too far gone to reuse, I turn it under for compost.

[candy]

Thanks for that tip jabell

I am of to scavenge for card board

[bookwormom]

yeah, Lowes sometimes has big cartons that appliances come in.

[cameron]

Thanks for that tip Jabell. I have been having trouble with bermuda grass coming up in a couple of squares. I'm going to try your cardboard method.

[longshot]

got my book today :) :) :)


thank you lisa. started reading it when i got the mail opened.


i really appreciated that you would go to the trouble to send such a resource to a stranger, all available karma points to you my fine lady.


ls