Anyone have a square foot garden?

[ChickenToes]

I'm going to try my hand at square foot gardening this year, does anyone else have a square foot garden? I'd love to see pictures, or hear any tips and tricks.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

I tried square foot gardening back in the 80's and it was great fun. I liked the idea that you didn't compress the ground at all, and that the plots were such a manageable size for bug and weed control. I was all about hand weeding and insect control. I would still use the method if the deer would just stop eating everything in sight.

Have fun!

 

[saddina]

For the last 8 years. Sadly I don't take many pics. But ask away.

 

[ChickenToes]

I don't have a deer or squirrel problem, probably because I have a bear problem! But I was thinking about planting marigolds for pest control.

I did have a few questions. Is it best to fill the boxes with the recommended mix of compost, peat moss, and coarse vermiculite, or can I fill them with any type of good soil and compost?

Also - is it difficult to reach the center of the 4 x 4 foot boxes? I was thinking about going with 3 x 3 foot boxes instead, or longer boxes like 6 x 2 feet.

 

[saddina]

Quote:
I'm 5'0, if you have access from 3 sides the 4 ft mark is good (you only need to reach in 24 inches). If I'm going along a fence, I do 3 feet deep, because I can't walk to the back side to pick. Than again I'm unusually short.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I don't think marigold will keep bear away

 

[ChickenToes]

Quote:
I don't think so either, that's why I'm planting them to keep away insects.

The bears usually don't bother anything but the hummingbird feeder, so I'm all right with them.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

LOL.

I don't use the official "Square Foot Gardening" mix of ingredents for the soil but I do use raised beds (this year I've gotten some Earth Mover tires, big suckers!!!) My mix is a combination of chicken poop, potting mix, compost and good ol' North Carolina red clay. The only problem with red clay is come August when we are in the hottest part of the summer, even the soil that has been tilled deeply will get rock hard if it isn't watered just as deeply once a week. Once the top crust hardens, any heavy rain is going to run right off and not be able to soak in. (Rambling)

I have never followed the "rules" of planting on that comes on the back of a packet of seeds. Has never made sense to me. As long as you have room enough for light and water to get in your plants will grown. Tomatoes grown up and down, as do peppers, corn, carrots, potatoes. So you can plant them closer together. Plants like squash and bush beans grow out. They are going to need more room to spread.

I'm going crazy because the weather has turned a bit warm but here in Carolina, I know I can't plant anything until late April. Phewy!

 

[BoerneChickens]

If you go to the gardners.com website there is a garden planning tool that lets you plan each square foot and it tells you how many of each plant to plant into a sq ft. I found it pretty helpful since I am trying a lot of things this year that I haven't grown in the past.

 

[ChickenToes]

CoyoteMagic - thanks for the tip on the soil, I'm not sure I can find vermiculite around here. The soil is my garden is pretty good, I should be good to go as long as I add some compost.

BoerneChickens - thanks for the link! The site is awesome!