Square Foot Gardens

cway · 04-29-2009, 04:45 AM

The idea behind square foot gardening is that you can plant fruits, vegetables and flowers in raised beds, above infertile soil and even out of the reach of pets. Seeds are planted in 1X1 square foot plots, and when harvested a new plant is installed in the square. Raised beds can sit directly on the ground, or include a bottom layer and be placed on patios, decks or porches. Because of a bad back, and a dog with a propensity to dig up our new plants, we decided to build a 4×2 foot table-top design.

This just one of many websites

http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/03/how-...e-foot-garden/

She-Ra · 05-02-2009, 08:35 AM

That's a good idea, and people who have space could greatly benefit from that, if only I had a bit of garden/frontage or even a balcony or window sill! There's also indoor hydro-gardens which people can buy, but I don't know about their longevity and ability to produce if you can't buy the materials for it.

Swanny · 05-02-2009, 09:28 AM

Your welcome to share my garden She Ra, I have loads of space left over

Malynda · 05-02-2009, 10:11 AM

Here's something I ran across...

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/...09624417.shtml

Might be useful for those lacking space. Hope it helps.

Swanny · 05-02-2009, 12:58 PM

Thats a brilliant idea

Malynda · 05-02-2009, 09:46 PM

I totally agree. I have been trying to organize a complete overhaul of my life and when I saw this, it triggered a whole chain reaction of thoughts on how to go back to nature in society. Glad you liked it. I'll post more stuff as I run across it.

She-Ra · 05-03-2009, 01:10 AM

That's very kind Swanny thank you but I think we live a little too far apart

. It's a great idea in general though, there could be many people who have extra space in their gardens/land who could consider having community sections especially with allotments being so sought after.

Well done to those people in the link you posted Malynda, I've seen (not first hand but in news) people who've grown fruit/veg/herbs in tires, hanging baskets, old watering cans and buckets etc, it's great and with a little research and/or assistance it seems so straightforward. Then there are those who have roof access and right, who make the most amazing roof gardens in cities.

Malynda · 05-03-2009, 01:39 AM

A rooftop garden would be awesome. I have been thinking of doing that. I have a home owners association to deal with though. =/

She-Ra, you mentioned tires, baskets, etc. and it reminded me of someting a friend is doing. His father found these hanging tomato planters, for lack of a better term, that seem to work beautifully. He bought some for the family and is now starting to pass them on to the friends of family. Not sure where he picked them up but they seem to work really well. When my friend stops in tonight, I'll see if i can get more info on them to post. Thanks for reminding me of this.

Brinty · 05-03-2009, 02:01 AM

I've seen various sizes of these pots that don't take up a lot of floor space and can be used to grow a number of herbs and smaller vegetables. Taller or fatter pots can have a greater number of holes to plant into.

Malynda · 05-03-2009, 03:22 AM

Those are very cool, Brinty. Never would've thought about that. Thanks!

Malynda · 05-04-2009, 01:10 AM

Some more links I ran into about small space gardening...

10 Inspiring Gardens for Growing Food in Small Spaces

Our Small San Francisco Container Garden

How to Grow Herbs Indoors

Sprouts and microgreens: edible houseplants
Tasty salad fixings can be grown in the tiniest apartment.

bushycat · 05-04-2009, 09:23 PM

www.AVogel.co.UK
has organic sprouting seeds and sprouting jars.
Click on the Lifestyle place to read about sprouting.
Aloha, bushycat

Malynda · 05-04-2009, 09:32 PM

Very cool, bushycat. Thanks for the link.

bushycat · 05-04-2009, 09:46 PM

We were thinking along the same lines. I awoke this morning with sprouting on my mind ! I bought mine at a health food shop here in New Zealand. I've given many as gifts. There are so many seeds available for sprouting. I think the broccoli ones are out in front with nutrition.

Malynda · 05-04-2009, 10:43 PM

Synchronicity strikes again.

Good gift idea as well, never would've thought about it. Thank you.

04-29-2009, 04:45 AM	#1
cway Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Milky Way Posts: 267	Square Foot Gardens The idea behind square foot gardening is that you can plant fruits, vegetables and flowers in raised beds, above infertile soil and even out of the reach of pets. Seeds are planted in 1X1 square foot plots, and when harvested a new plant is installed in the square. Raised beds can sit directly on the ground, or include a bottom layer and be placed on patios, decks or porches. Because of a bad back, and a dog with a propensity to dig up our new plants, we decided to build a 4×2 foot table-top design. This just one of many websites http://frugaldad.com/2008/03/03/how-...e-foot-garden/

05-02-2009, 08:35 AM	#2
She-Ra Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 159	Re: Square Foot Gardens That's a good idea, and people who have space could greatly benefit from that, if only I had a bit of garden/frontage or even a balcony or window sill! There's also indoor hydro-gardens which people can buy, but I don't know about their longevity and ability to produce if you can't buy the materials for it.

05-02-2009, 09:28 AM	#3
Swanny I dont need a label ! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Shire of Wilt Posts: 2,889	Re: Square Foot Gardens Your welcome to share my garden She Ra, I have loads of space left over

05-02-2009, 10:11 AM	#4
Malynda Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 250	Re: Square Foot Gardens Here's something I ran across... http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/...09624417.shtml Might be useful for those lacking space. Hope it helps.

05-02-2009, 12:58 PM	#5
Swanny I dont need a label ! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Shire of Wilt Posts: 2,889	Re: Square Foot Gardens Thats a brilliant idea

05-02-2009, 09:46 PM	#6
Malynda Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 250	Re: Square Foot Gardens I totally agree. I have been trying to organize a complete overhaul of my life and when I saw this, it triggered a whole chain reaction of thoughts on how to go back to nature in society. Glad you liked it. I'll post more stuff as I run across it.

05-03-2009, 01:10 AM	#7
She-Ra Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 159	Re: Square Foot Gardens That's very kind Swanny thank you but I think we live a little too far apart . It's a great idea in general though, there could be many people who have extra space in their gardens/land who could consider having community sections especially with allotments being so sought after. Well done to those people in the link you posted Malynda, I've seen (not first hand but in news) people who've grown fruit/veg/herbs in tires, hanging baskets, old watering cans and buckets etc, it's great and with a little research and/or assistance it seems so straightforward. Then there are those who have roof access and right, who make the most amazing roof gardens in cities.

05-03-2009, 01:39 AM	#8
Malynda Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 250	Re: Square Foot Gardens A rooftop garden would be awesome. I have been thinking of doing that. I have a home owners association to deal with though. =/ She-Ra, you mentioned tires, baskets, etc. and it reminded me of someting a friend is doing. His father found these hanging tomato planters, for lack of a better term, that seem to work beautifully. He bought some for the family and is now starting to pass them on to the friends of family. Not sure where he picked them up but they seem to work really well. When my friend stops in tonight, I'll see if i can get more info on them to post. Thanks for reminding me of this.

05-03-2009, 02:01 AM	#9
Brinty Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Blackbutt, Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,004	Re: Square Foot Gardens I've seen various sizes of these pots that don't take up a lot of floor space and can be used to grow a number of herbs and smaller vegetables. Taller or fatter pots can have a greater number of holes to plant into.

05-03-2009, 03:22 AM	#10
Malynda Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 250	Re: Square Foot Gardens Those are very cool, Brinty. Never would've thought about that. Thanks!

05-04-2009, 01:10 AM	#11
Malynda Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 250	Re: Square Foot Gardens Some more links I ran into about small space gardening... 10 Inspiring Gardens for Growing Food in Small Spaces Our Small San Francisco Container Garden How to Grow Herbs Indoors Sprouts and microgreens: edible houseplants Tasty salad fixings can be grown in the tiniest apartment.

05-04-2009, 09:23 PM	#12
bushycat Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 442	Re: Square Foot Gardens www.AVogel.co.UK has organic sprouting seeds and sprouting jars. Click on the Lifestyle place to read about sprouting. Aloha, bushycat Last edited by bushycat; 05-04-2009 at 09:26 PM.

05-04-2009, 09:32 PM	#13
Malynda Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 250	Re: Square Foot Gardens Very cool, bushycat. Thanks for the link.

05-04-2009, 09:46 PM	#14
bushycat Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 442	Re: Square Foot Gardens We were thinking along the same lines. I awoke this morning with sprouting on my mind ! I bought mine at a health food shop here in New Zealand. I've given many as gifts. There are so many seeds available for sprouting. I think the broccoli ones are out in front with nutrition.

05-04-2009, 10:43 PM	#15
Malynda Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 250	Re: Square Foot Gardens Synchronicity strikes again. Good gift idea as well, never would've thought about it. Thank you.