Do you want to create a garden in a simple way that does not require a lot of space? Want to create an edible garden with your favorite vegetables? Want to get the best harvest? If the answer to the above question is yes, then you must know the square foot gardening method.
This space-saving approach is a great way to grow your modern garden in even the smallest yard. It does not require a large bed or compartment, no prior knowledge and is also suitable for outdoor paved areas. These bright little shoots are created from raised beds divided into square boxes. They can be customized to any size and shape you want, allowing you to grow anything you want.
Want to know more? Here, we spoke to a number of experienced gardeners, including representatives from the Square Foot Gardening Foundation, about this growing method and how you can incorporate it into your space.
What is gardening in a square meter?
If you're like me and avoid math like the plague, square foot gardening may seem unappealing, but this gardening technique doesn't require complicated numbers. It does what it promises and is very simple; All you have to do is divide the bed into equal spaces, each one a square size.
"Square Foot Gardening is an organic, intensive method of raised bed gardening that uses trellises and Mel's Mix (a special growing medium) to achieve optimum efficiency in small gardens and vegetable yields," explains Laura Bartholomew of the Gardening Foundation Square Foot. "It's the perfect method for beginning gardeners with practical step-by-step instructions that take the guesswork out of starting a new garden."
The way it works is simple. "The planting area is divided into smaller square sections, each one foot by one foot," says Tony O'Neill, professional gardener and owner of Simplify Gardening. "Therefore, this method provides efficient use of space and allows gardeners to grow a variety of plants in a compact area." Vegetable containers are a great alternative for gardening and are perfect for small plots as they can fit as many square meters of land as you do. they want.
What are the benefits of square foot gardening as a planting technique?
Aside from being able to fit more vegetables into your beds, it's hard to imagine what benefit the square meter gardening method will have for your plants, but we assure you.
"First and foremost, this vegetable approach is the perfect space-saving solution for urban gardeners with limited space," says Toni. In addition to placing many plants in a small space, you can also customize this method to suit your needs. Whether you have a small garden that can fit a 60 x 60 cm bed or a large garden that can fit five beds, you can create a square meter garden almost anywhere.
"This style of gardening saves time, effort, equipment and water compared to traditional gardening," says Steve Bartholemew of the Gardening Foundation. "Additional fertilizer requires no weeding, digging or turning, fertilizer and heavy equipment." This is all thanks to the soilless growing environment that is synonymous with square foot gardening and is known for producing successful results (more on that later).
After all, efficient spacing means more plants, which, when combined with planting techniques such as crop rotation and intercropping, result in better yields. "It's also more profitable as it requires less water than traditional gardening," adds Tony.
Here's how to start gardening in a square yard of your yard
If you want to start making square beds, here's how to make them, what kind of growing medium to use and what types of plants to include.
1. Choose a location
"When choosing your garden, first make sure it gets at least six to eight hours of sunlight a day," says Laura. A location with good sunlight is essential for your plants to get all the sunlight they need. Since you are growing many different types of plants, you need to make sure they all have the same light requirements.
You may also want to include some climbing plants in your beds to create a vertical garden. In this case, you can place the Square Foot Garden near a wall or fence, but make sure it's not too shady and still gets sunlight.
2. Build your bed
While you can apply the same concept to regular garden beds, Square Foot Gardening is done in raised beds. These freestanding beds are built into a structure at ground level and can be made of wood, stone, concrete or other materials such as galvanized steel.
"We recommend beginners start with a 4-by-4-foot bed, so you have 16 squares to plant," says Laura. Raised beds can be made from brick, wood, stone or other non-toxic materials that can be recycled. However, avoid materials with colors or finishes that may run into the garden.”
Make sure the bed is at least 6 inches deep so it has enough room to grow. Once you create the border, you will need to add landscape fabric to the bottom to prevent weeds from growing in your box.
If you have doubts about your crafting skills, you can also buy a pre-made bed like this one on Amazon.
3. Add the millet mixture
Next, it's time to add your growing medium, and when it comes to soil for use in raised beds, Mel's Mix is an industry favorite. This magical soil mix was originally designed by Mel Bartholomew, the inventor of the Square Foot Gardening Method, as the perfect composition for low gardening.
"The mix itself is a mix of 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 coarse vermiculite and 1/3 organic compost," says Laura. This mixture provides the nutrients that the plants need to grow and provides the optimal amount of water and fresh. "Since we understand that peat moss and coarse vermiculite are not always available, you can find alternative instructions on our Mel Mix Resources page.
Because it is a soilless medium, this mix does not contain regular garden soil, helping to reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases and weeds. The lightweight composition also prevents soil compaction, making it perfect for your raised beds.
3. Add your network
As Steve says, "your raised bed isn't a square garden if it doesn't have netting - imagine a parking lot without netting." Once you've added the land, you'll need to start subdividing your land.
"Use dividers like wood planks to divide the bed into 12-inch squares," says Tony. You can also use other materials such as bamboo, patio items or blinds. "We recommend avoiding ropes as they wear out with the weather and don't last long," adds Steve.
4. Water your plants
Finally, you need to present your plants. "The beauty of the square meter garden is its versatility," says Tony. "Products such as lettuce, radishes, nuts and herbs are ideal for beginners. Larger plants like tomatoes or zucchini require more than one box.
The Square Foot Gardening Foundation team has also created a planting map to guide how many vegetables can be planted in a plot, as well as information on what time of year certain vegetables should be planted. "For example, you can plant four lettuce plants in one box, 16 radish plants in one box and one tomato plant in each box," explains Laura. "Once you've planned your garden, you'll understand why this is the most efficient way to garden anywhere from the country to the city, while requiring minimal space."
Remember to plant in season (August is not too late to plant vegetables) and consider other planting tricks such as crop rotation and companion planting to encourage growth, prevent soil depletion and reduce the risk of diseases and to reduce pests.
"Remember that while square foot gardening is a structured approach, gardening is also a creative endeavor," says Steve. "Front gardening takes a bit of trial and error, especially when you figure out what works for your specific climate and soil conditions. Continue to learn from your experiences and adapt your approach."
Fabric vegetable beds
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Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew
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Lettuce seeds
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