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The document discusses the basics of square foot gardening. It recommends choosing a sunny location for garden boxes that are 6 inches deep and made of various materials. The boxes are divided into 1 square foot sections using grids. An ideal soil mixture called "Mel's Mix" is recommended, consisting of 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 vermiculite and 1/3 compost. A variety of crops can be grown in each square foot section by staggering plantings. Vertical frames can expand growing space and protect against critters. The document provides details on building boxes, soil preparation and composting.
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- 1. SQUARE FOOT GARDENING FOUNDATION Presented by Carol Knepp March 24, 2010 FOR MORE INFORMATION www.squarefootgardening.com or Carol Knepp kneppster@gmail.com
- 2. LOCATION • Pick anarea that gets 6-9 hours of sunshine daily. • Stay clear of trees/shrubs where roots/shade may interfere. • Have it close to the house for convenience and protection. • Existing soil is not really important. You won’t be using it. • Area must not puddle after a heavy rain.
- 4. The Ten Basicsof Square Foot Gardening 1. Layout 6. Care 2. Boxes 7. Select 3. Aisles 8. Plant 4. Soil 9. Water 5. Grid 10.Harvest
- 5. The Ten Basicsof SFG 1 - LAYOUT Think in Squares – Not in Rows Average garden size – 20’ X 35’=700 square feet – To grow the same amount, a SFG only needs 140 square feet to accomplish the same
- 6. The Ten Basicsof SFG 2 – BOXES Build Square or Rectangular Boxes to Hold a New Soil Mix Above Ground »Wood »Brick or Blocks »Vinyl »Stone »Bamboo
- 7. HOW MANY BOXES? •Start Small - One or Two Boxes • One 4 X 4 Box – Salad fixings for 1 person for the entire growing season • Second 4 X 4 Box – Supply supper vegetables for 1-2 people for the entire growing season • Third 4 X 4 Box – Supply vegetables for 1 person for storing, preserving or giving away
- 8. ALL THAT INONE 4X4 BOX? • 1 head of cabbage • 8 bunches of Swiss chard • 1 head of broccoli • 9 bunches of spinach • 1 head of cauliflower • 16 small ball carrots • 4 heads of romaine • 16 beets • 4 heads of red lettuce • 4 bunches beet greens • 4 heads of salad lettuce • 16 long carrots • 5 pounds sugar snap • 32 radishes peas
- 9. BUILDING A BOX •Need to hold the soil – only 6 inches deep • If deeper boxes desired, use sand as a filler with soil mix in top 6 inches • Square or rectangular • Ground, patio, raised • Stationary or portable
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- 14. ADD WEED BARRIER • Dig out sod/weeds • Add weed barrier or landscape cloth • Cardboard • Wet it down
- 15. The Ten Basicsof SFG 4 - SOIL No need to worry about existing soil - it won’t be used! Mel’s Mix: 1/3 peat moss 1/3 coarse vermiculite 1/3 compost
- 16. EXISTING SOIL – DOESN’TMATTER • Mel’s Mix – make one time only • Boxes above ground • Loose and friable • All needed nutrients • 6-inches deep enough
- 17. MEL’S MIX • 1/3 Peat Moss • 1/3 Coarse Vermiculite • 1/3 Compost
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- 19. The Ten Basicsof SFG 5 - GRID Square foot grid for the top of each box. • Visualize planting spaces • Prominent • Makes your garden unique • A must!!
- 20. Grids of manymaterials
- 21. The Ten Basicsof SFG 7 - SELECT CROPS • Grow what you like to eat • Plant a different flower, vegetable or herb crop in each square foot • Plant with the desired harvest in mind • Stagger the harvest • Prevents over-planting and waste
- 22. Spacing Per SquareFoot • 1, 4, 9, 16 • “Thin to” on seed packets • Saves seeds
- 28. COMPOST INGREDIENTS • Anypart of a plant – roots, leaves, flowers, stems • Animal manure (no meat-eating animals) • Newspaper • Rice, wheat or peanut hulls • Weeds (don’t include weeds in this area, they are too hardy and will spring up in your garden) • Sawdust or wood shavings • Hair • Feathers
- 29. MORE COMPOST INGREDIENTS •Residue from fruit and vegetable processing plants • Grass clippings (dry first), straw, hay • Egg shells • Shredded branches and bark • Leaves • Old sod
- 30. DO NOT ADD • Animal fat, bones, meat, skin • Dairy Products • Bread and baked goods • Dog, cat or human manure • Large, woody stems or branches
- 31. QUICK COMPOST Remember the4 M’s • Mix • Mash • Moisten • Move
- 32. FINISHED COMPOST • Norecognizable ingredients • Smells “earthy” and rich • Dark brown and crumbly
- 33. COMPOST AMOUNTS • Themore variety of ingredients – the more nutrients • No more than 20% of one ingredient in the pile • Best compost made from many (& mini) ingredients
- 34. DON’T WANT TOMAKE COMPOST? • Purchase bags of at least 4-5 different types of compost and mix it together. • Read the ingredients
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- 37. MAKING A VERTICALFRAME • Electrical conduit • Elbow Coupling • Rebar • Netting
- 38. PLACEMENT OF VERTICALFRAME • North side of garden or box
- 40. HIGH RISE GARDENING •Potatoes • Long carrots • Leeks • Add a high-rise box!
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- 46. PROTECTION FROM CRITTERS •Above ground protection • Cats, dogs, squirrels, rabbits, etc. • Deer netting
- 53. Elderly • Physical Limitations • Fresh Air - Views • Adds Interest – Outlook on Life • Social Life
- 54. SQUARE FOOT GARDENING FOUNDATION FOR MORE INFORMATION www.squarefootgardening.com or Carol Knepp kneppster@gmail.com