There are many ways to grow your own food, from growing fruit plants inside your home near a window, to having a container garden or a large plot of land with herbs and vegetables. Another popular option is to grow what is called a square foot garden. This involves using square sections for the growing area, and is perfect for beginner gardeners. Here’s How to Start a Square Foot Garden.
The Purpose of a Square Foot Garden
The main reason people will do square foot gardens is convenience and lack of space. If you are trying to grow a lot of different vegetables, fruits, and herbs, it typically requires spacing everything out properly. It can become a little disorganized and hard to keep track of, plus the spacing means you need a good amount of land in your backyard. With a square foot garden, you literally work in one foot by one foot sections (12″ x 12″). Each square foot is typically a separate crop or plant that you are growing. It keeps everything contained in a smaller area and separated properly, even if you’re growing on just a tiny bit of land.
How to Build Your Square Foot Garden
First, decide where the garden will be, and then calculate how many squares you can have in that area. Try to keep your measures in even 12″ x 12″ combinations. For example, a 48″ x 48″ area would give you 16 one-foot squares or 4 across and 4 down! I like to create a grid on paper to plan my space. It’s really helpful in not only figuring out spacing, but then noting which plants will go in which squares. Why? Because some plants need a bit more room while others won’t like sitting in their plant neighbor’s shade!
You have at least two options for setting up your Square Foot Garden – directly in the ground, or into a garden box…either purchased or built by you.
In the Ground
If you’re luck enough to have ground space, in-ground planting truly is the best route to go. It ensures that your plant roots have the depth needed to grow strong and healthy. Sometimes with garden boxes, they’re built too shallow, which forces roots to go sideways. This tends to weaken plants.
Supplies you need include:
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- Shovel, hoe, and/or rototiller
- 2′ garden dowels or stakes – for a 48″ x 48″ plot, you’ll need 16
- Spool of garden twine
- Scissors
- Mallet or hammer (or a really sturdy boot heel!)
Dig your garden plot edge with a sharp shovel. Next, dig within the border, turning over clumps of dirt. If your garden is being cut into current lawn, you’ll want to remove grass clumps to prevent grass from growing in your garden. If you can get your hands on a rototiller, this is the best way to break up your dirt and turn your garden the first time. Amend the soil as necessary, adding sand, leaves, peat, and other materials. You want to ensure your dirt is as “light and fluffy” as possible. Build your outside box first. Using a mallet or hammer, drive a dowel or stake 6″ deep, every 12″ across and every 12″ down. Finally, string your twine on the dowels in a grid pattern, tying securely. I typically tie my twine about 8-10″ above the ground. As plants grow, the twine helps them stand upright.
In a Box
For the box, you can either buy pre-made boxes like these (raised bed, raised bed perfect for a patio, or in-ground box). Be sure to use lumber that has not been treated, as you don’t want chemicals to be touching your plants and vegetables. If you’re doing a box on the ground, I recommend you lay a layer of black and white newspaper (not colored circulars!) on the ground first to prevent weeds from growing up.
Fill the box up to within 3″ from the top with good topsoil. If you’re lucky enough to have a yard waste recycle location near you, sometimes you can get good topsoil for free if you’re willing to dig and haul yourself. You can also purchased bagged topsoil at most garden centers. Finally, you can also buy loose topsoil from local landscapers. You’ll need to decide if you have the means to haul, or if you need them to deliver. I typically get a delivery, and have them dump it on the grass out front. That way, I can simply rake any extra soil right into my grass – no muss, no fuss!
Compost is always a terrific addition to any garden, whether you compost yourself or buy it by the bag. It’s especially important if you have heavy, water-holding soil. I live in clay country, and it’s taken me several years to amend my soil enough to loosen and lighten it. If your soil is really heavy, turn in a layer of sand as well. Don’t forget to head to your local coffee shops and see if they’ll part with their spent coffee grounds. They’re terrific compost. Then, head on over to your hairdresser and ask for a day’s worth of cut hair. Adding human hair to your garden is said to help ward off rabbits and other critters that love fresh, tender plants. Worst case, it’s also great compost!
So there you have it, How to Start a Square Foot Garden. It’s really not difficult, and super simple to maintain. Now comes the fun….planning your plantings. Head on over to Best Veggies for Beginning Gardeners for a great starter list and tips!
