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Square Foot Gardening Methods
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All New Square Foot Gardening
“Grow More in Less Space”
Betsey & Ron Smith
Taken from: Mel Bartholomew (2005),
Square Foot Gardening
Created by Andrea Carlson
Square Foot Gardening
Intensive culture maximizing available space for optimal production+Attractive!
Save Space
Melons, cucumbers, pole beans, etc.
And Have Room For a Productive Apple Tree – State Fair
Add Diversity & Beauty
Vertical frames can be arranged many different ways
Spring Indoor Seed-Starting Schedule
Create A Well – Structured Soil
1/3 Peat Moss1/3 Vermiculite1/3 Blended Compost
Note: No fertilizer Needed with this Mix! Also this mix Warms faster than native soil
New Depth – Only 6 Inches Deep
EasierCheaper Less Work Can go 12”, but not needed, except for deeper crops like carrots or potatoesIf you feel better by making the boxes 12”go ahead – it is your $$ and time!
Trenches
Plant vertical crops in trench—1 ft. wide, 1 ft. deep, 4 ft. longFill with peat, compost, and vermiculiteVertical frame is at least 6 ft. tall – width depends on crop grown
Spacing Examples For SFG
1 Plant/SF – Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Corn, Okra, Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes4 Plants/SF(6” apart)-Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Marigolds9 Plants/SF (4” apart) – Bush Beans, Beets, Spinach16 Plants/SF –Carrots , Radishes, Onions
This raised bed is ideal for gardeners with bad backs, orotherwise handicapped for traditional gardening
Training Plants
Twist main stem around twine once a weekPinch out suckers that form in leaf axisIf left unpruned, suckers will grow into new vines
Training Plants
Nylon netting is strong enough to support large winter squash, pumpkins, watermelonsSecure netting tightly to frame to prevent sagging
Protecting Plants
Concrete reinforcing wire protects plants against bunnies
Now, An All-Out Battle Against Bunnies!
Even NJ Gardeners Battle Critters!
Ohio SFG With 8’ Deer Fence!
Protecting Plants
Covers protect against late spring frosts
Frost-proof, geo-textile tunnels protect from temperature extremes during spring/summer season. Good to 28°F
Protecting Plants
So Easy!
Even a child can do it! Daughter Amanda helps in planting
Bunnies are not a Problem? Lots of Produce Can Be Freely Grown!
Succession Crops
Head lettuce grown early spring—harvested in early JuneFollowed by MN midget melons
Irrigation
Point-source drip irrigation is very effective & efficient in delivering water to crops
SF gardening trials at DREC, testing efficacy of different mulches
Mulch
Common Crops
CarrotsTomatoesBeansSquashOkraPeppersLettuceMelonsFlowersSweet CornHerbs
Winter Salad Garden
If properly insulated, the sun box can house a salad garden all winter!This would require south facing, heating cables, well-drained mix, straw bales for insulation, and window shashing
Common CropsTomatoes, Melons, Chili Peppers
Common Crops
Rainbow Swiss Chard
Hybrid Bell Peppers
Hybrid Melons
Winter Squash & Pumpkins
Garlic
SF gardening can also be practiced in raised beds, as done here with garlic— 4 ft by 4 ft square
Common CropsHibiscus, Chives, Young Apple Tree
Her Best and Most Favorite Crop; Hard-Neck Garlic
PerennialsDayliliesSweet Corn
Common Crops
Interesting Crops
Karl Forester Feather Reed Grass; Echinacea, Raspberries, Mint
Sweet Corn & Hyssop
Select 64 to 90 day varieties; EarlyChoice, Honey & Cream, Early XtraSweet
Agastache (hyssop), Echinacea, Monarda,Sweetpeas, and many others are great attractants for Butterflies and hummingbirds
SF Flowers
The striking colors of Phlox (Shortwood, and David – white – 2002 Perennial Plant of the YearLasting beauty of Annabelle hydrangea
Favorite Plantings!–Pansy, Daylily, Cleome, & Ornamental Kale
SF Flowers
SunflowersBlue Horizon ageratum
Betsey Has Something She Wants Everyone To Understand About Her Garden: Visit and Enjoy, But…….
This Message Was Intended To Scare Bunnies Away!So Far, It Has Not Worked
We Have Faced Many Challenges In Our Gardening Efforts, and Thought
We Had This One Beat…..
Fruit Into Wine?
The “Man” Himself With A Unique Variation of Square Foot Gardening
As A Master Gardener, Share Your Knowledge!
Betsey volunteering herSFG knowledge at the Fargo Farmer’s Market
Questions?