Square Foot Intensive Gardening

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?