Square Foot Garden Square Foot Gardenesl180.com/files/Print_Free_Booklet_15.3.pdf · Advantages of...
Transcript of Square Foot Garden Square Foot Gardenesl180.com/files/Print_Free_Booklet_15.3.pdf · Advantages of...
Square Foot Garden Square Foot Garden
10 Easy Steps10 Easy Steps by Joshua Hackley
Advantages of Raised
Bed Gardening Better Drainage
Easier to amend the soil Grow more per square foot. Perfect solution to poor soil. Nice looking and organized
The Benefits of Raised Bed
Gardening I’ve been gardening since I was 9 years old, We have a small space that gets adequate sunlight for a garden and tree roots make it impossible to till the ground. The solution was an easy one. Build Raised Beds.
A square foot garden is essentially like taking a
full vegetable garden and condensing it down
so that it fits in a 4 foot by 4 foot box. In order
to make the “box” more efficient and to allow for
a greater variety of vegetables to be grown, the
box is gridded into a series of smaller boxes.
With our raised beds we can produce more per square foot than with traditional plots.
There are less weeds and I don't have to get on my knees to reach it.
I love my raised beds so much that this spring I want to show you how I did it with some simple
plans and ideas.
(210) 481-9235
10 raised bed tips 10 raised bed tips
vegetable gardenvegetable garden!
1 - LAYOUT. Always think in squares: lay out 4 foot by 4 foot planting areas with
3‟ wide walkways between them.
2 – BOXES. I build Garden Boxes 4 feet, and 6 to 12 inches deep. The most popu-
lar length is 4 or 8 feet, (it can be as long as 12 feet) but a recommended size for your
first time is one frame 4 feet by 8 feet. You can, of course, go smaller. 2 feet by 2 feet
works great on patios and 3 feet by 3 feet box is ideal for kids. Frames can be made
from untreated pine or cedar. We also design specialized sizes and „elevated‟ boxes
for special needs. Our boxes can be used on ground in your yard or on your patio and
will do well even on concrete.
3 - AISLES. If you plan to have more than one garden box, separate them by 2 or 3
feet to form walkways.
4 - SOIL. Fill frame with a mixture of 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 coarse
vermiculite (no dirt needed). {For South Texas, use 2 parts compost, 1 part peat
moss and 1 part perlite/vermiculite}[Or purchase LIGHT GARDEN MIX from
your favorite soil supplier.] A blended compost made from many ingredients pro-
vides all the nutrients the plants require (no chemical fertilizers needed). Peat moss
and vermiculite help hold moisture and keep the soil loose.
It's best to make your own compost from many ingredients but if you have to buy it,
make sure it is truly compost. Some stores sell mulch or humus and other ground cov-
ers but call it compost. Most commercial compost is made from one or two ingredi-
ents so to be safe, don't buy all of one kind but one of each kind until you have enough
for your garden. It's really best to make your own compost, and then you know what
goes in it. When buying vermiculite, be sure to get the coarse grade, and get the more
economical 4 cubic-feet-sized bags. If using store-bought compost, you‟ll probably
have to add fertilizer.
If placing frames over grass you can dig out the grass or cover it with cardboard or
landscape cloth to discourage grass and weeds from coming up through your new gar-
den soil.
5 - GRID. On top of each frame place a permanent grid that divides the box into one
foot squares. The grid is the unique feature that makes the whole system work so well.
Grids can be made from nearly any material; wood, plastic strips, old Venetian blinds,
etc. Use screws or rivets to attach them where they cross. On a 4 feet by 4 feet frame,
the grid divides the frame into 16 easy-to-manage spaces, for up to 16 different crops.
Leave the grid in place all season. The grid can be cut long enough to fit across the top
of the box or cut shorter to lay on the soil inside the box.
6 - CARE. Since you will NEVER walk on or depress the growing soil, don't make
the frames any wider than 4 feet (2 feet, if only one side is accessible). Any wider
makes it too difficult to reach in to tend the plants.
7 - SELECT. Depending on the mature size of the plant, grow 1, 4, 9, or 16 equally
spaced plants per square foot. If the seed packet recommends plant spacing be 12
inches apart, plant one plant per square foot. If 6 inch spacing; 4 per square foot. If 4
inch spacing; 9 per square foot. If 3 inch spacing; 16 per square foot.
8 - PLANT. Plant one or two seeds in each spot by making a shallow hole with your
finger. Cover, but do not pack the soil. Thinning is all but eliminated. Seeds are not
wasted. Extra seeds can be stored cool and dry in your refrigerator…not the freezer.
Don't over-plant…plant only as much of any one crop as you will use. A 4-feet by 4-
feet box will grow more than a conventional garden that is 8 feet by 10 feet.
9 – WATER. Water only as much as each plant needs. Water often, especially at first,
and on very hot dry days. But, be careful not to over water - this special soil holds wa-
ter like a sponge. Water by hand with a cup. Drip irrigation works well with SFG.
10 - HARVEST. Harvest continually and when a crop in one square is finished, add some new
compost and plant a new different crop in that square.
Modular Raised Beds for Yards - Patios - Apartments
4 Pre-Assembled sizes
Custom Designs Are Available
4x4 Square Foot Garden Boxes
Pre-Cut and Easy to Assemble
Custom Sizes Available on request
Grow More in Less Space
What can you Plant in Each Square?
Suggested Reading
10 Steps Guide by Joshua— Free
Mel Bartholomew‟s Book — $10.95
Other Services I Can Help You With:
Assemble and customize your raised bed
Build designed “No Bending” raised beds
Plant your seeds and vegetables
Purchase plants
Purchase and deliver soil mixes
See my display and purchase all your gardening needs at:
Rainbow Gardens 2585 Thousand Oaks @ Henderson Pass
(210) 494-6131
The time to get started is now. Call me for help if you
need it. I‟ve included a must read list and a list of services
I can help you with.
(210) 481-9235 www.PlansandCapital.com/garden
My boxes are a great value and my work is good.
Earnings will be used to for my Boy Scout trips to
Philmont Scout Ranch and our Rocky Mountain
High Adventure Summer Camp.
I use the best materials for build-
ing your raised bed. Over time the initial costs of the materials will even
out. Stone will last as long as you could hope for but it's pricey and while cedar will last much longer than
other types of wood it also tends to be more expensive. he one advan-
tage to pine is it’s value
Price List
If you choose to purchase bulk soil I
can help you with the purchase, de-
liver and mix at your home.
Sold at
Rainbow Gardens
2585 Thousand Oaks @
Henderson Pass
(210) 494-6131
Recommended Soil Mix
Estimated Soil Needs
Square Foot Designs
by Joshua 210.481.9235