The Ultimate Guide to Square Foot Gardening and Starting a Backyard Farm Stand

Grow tomatoes, broccoli and more in a small garden — right from your backyard!

If you don’t have numerous area, you could nonetheless grow sparkling veggies and vegetables. You don’t should have a large lawn — rectangular foot gardening is a fantastic approach for small gardens. This approach lets in you to grow greater plant life in much less space, and each plant gets the distance it needs.

What is square foot gardening?

Square foot gardening is a method in which the garden is split into one-foot squares. This technique was commenced by Mel Bartholomew, an engineer and gardener. Each rectangular can grow one of a kind greens, culmination or herbs — just take note of how plenty area every plant wishes. This method keeps the garden neat and organized.

What are its benefits?

• Higher yield: You can grow more vegetables by planting more plants in less space.
• You can start quickly: You just have to make a raised bed, which can be placed anywhere. You can plant plants by making a grid in it.
• Less maintenance: Plants are planted close to each other, which maintains moisture and weeds grow less. You have to work a little bit every day.
• Good planning system: When the garden is in a fixed grid, it is easy to understand which plant will grow where and how much.

Some things need to be kept in mind:

• Costs can be high in the beginning: Raised bed and good soil have to be purchased, which can increase the cost. If you already have suitable soil, then the cost can be reduced.
• More plants in less space: In the beginning, planting plants too close together can cause a little crowding. You will have to try and see for yourself which plants take up how much space.
• Depth required: Some plants do not have enough roots to spread fully in a 6-inch deep bed. If possible, make a 12-inch depth.

How ​​to make a square foot garden?

First of all, choose a place where there is at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. Then make a 4×4 foot raised bed and divide it into 16 1×1 foot sections. After this, fill it with good quality, light and nutrient-rich soil. Keep 2-3 inches empty from the top so that you can add mulch (like dry straw or grass) there – this keeps the soil moist.

Now you can decide which plant will be planted in which square. Plant plants according to their mature height and the direction of the sun — plant larger plants (like tomatoes) in the back or facing north so they don’t shade other plants.

Square Foot Gardening Rules – 1-4-9-16

Here’s a handy guide for how many plants can be planted in a square:

• 1 large plant (XL): tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, cabbage
• 4 large plants (L): lettuce, Swiss chard, corn, potatoes
• 9 medium plants (M): beets, spinach, carrots, beans
• 16 small plants (S): radishes, chives (green leaves)

This rule is a little flexible for some plants. For example, some herbs or peppers may be planted 1 or 2 per square — depending on the type of plant and your experience.

What can be grown?

Your favorite fruits, vegetables, and herbs, such as

• Green leafy vegetables like spinach and lettuce
• Eggplant
• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Beans
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Carrots
• Onions
• Herbs (like basil and coriander)
• Flowers like marigolds (help to repel pests)

What kind of plants are best suited?

Small or low-spreading plants are better suited for this method as they stay confined to their square. Vining plants (like bottle gourd or cucumber) tend to spread more and can spoil your whole plan.

Conclusion:

If you have less space but want to grow fresh vegetables, square foot gardening is a great option. It not only makes your garden organized but also gives you more benefits with less effort. With a little planning and effort, you can create a wonderful kitchen garden in your own courtyard!

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