I gave up on my veggie garden years ago because it was so labor intensive and time-consuming, but I never lost the longing for fresh-from-the back-yard veggies. Now I’m starting over with a new method.
I recently discovered Square Foot Gardening—a method of growing a large number of veggies in a small space. SFG is easy to do and requires very little maintenance. Sounds good to me!
SFG was developed in 1975 by Mel Bartholomew, a retired engineer from New Jersey who decided to take up gardening as a hobby. His hobby mushroomed into gardening workshops, a book, consulting work and eventually a PBS TV series. Mel retired again in 1987, but was tempted out of retirement in 1989 by another TV show on the Discovery Channel and the Learning Channel--not to mention schools in California and Utah who requested programs for children. In 2001, his SFG program went global. I think Mel's given up on retirement.
Here’s how SFG works: a raised bed six inches deep--framed in wood--is filled with a mixture of 1/3 peat, 1/3 coarse vermiculite and 1/3 compost. The peat and vermiculite never have to be added again. More compost is added each time an old crop is harvested to make room for a new crop in a square. And since you have a compost bin, you’re set. You do have a compost bin, don’t you?
The bed frame can be 4x4, 4x8, 3x3 or any other size that fits your space or need. The area is divided into one foot squares and planted with veggies. The number of plants per square foot depends on their size. For example, nine beets, one head of broccoli, four heads of lettuce, or sixteen carrots could be planted in one square foot.
No digging is needed to prepare the bed. There are no long rows to hoe. No fertilizer is needed. There are no weeds to pull. What could be easier? Because of its small size, SFG can even be done in the city.
I located my new veggie garden just outside my kitchen door for easy access. It’s also very close to a water source. Stay tuned--I’ll be posting pictures of my SFG in progress.
If you’ve been thinking about starting a veggie garden but are hesitating because you think it would be too much work and take too much time, consider SFG. Check it out at Square Foot Gardening.
Do you have a gardening question? In Delaware County, call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.
UPCOMING MASTER GARDENERS EVENTS
September 13, 2008
Fall/Winter Garden Prep & Composting
Not sure what to do? Learn the steps for proper garden maintenance and how to compost at the same time. Take home a free compost bin. Cost: $10
September 27, 2008
FALL FEST
Calling all garden lovers! Celebrate Fall with us at our fourth annual Master Gardeners Fall Fest. We've planned workshops, plant, frugal gardener and bake sales, and other fun events for your enjoyment. Go to Fall Fest for a brochure or call 610-690-2655.
The Garden Series at Haverford Township Adult School
A collection of one night classes for both the indoor and outdoor garden. Classes taught by Delaware County Master Gardeners. Take one, two or all five– and save.
For more information, go to Haverford Adult School or call 610-446-8022.
Registration required for all events. Please call 610-690-2655 for more information or visit our website for a registration form.
Comments (1)
Just a quick note - the book "Square Foot Gardening" is indeed a classic in North American publishing bringing this old style of gardening to a modern audience. But don't forget that this kind of gardening is the norm in Asia and indeed even in the great kitchen gardens of Victorian and Edwardian England.
Posted by Doug Green | August 19, 2008 7:26 AM
Posted on August 19, 2008 07:26