Square Foot Intensive Gardening
Embed Size (px)
description
Transcript of Square Foot Intensive Gardening
All New Square Foot GardeningGrow More in Less Space Betsey & Ron SmithTaken from: Mel Bartholomew (2005),
Square Foot GardeningCreated by Andrea Carlson
Square Foot GardeningIntensive culture maximizing available space for optimal production +Attractive!
Save SpaceMelons, cucumbers, pole beans, etc.
And Have Room For a Productive Apple Tree State Fair
Add Diversity & BeautyVertical frames can be arranged many different ways
Spring Indoor Seed-Starting Schedule
Create A Well Structured Soil1/3 Peat Moss 1/3 Vermiculite 1/3 Blended Compost Note: No fertilizer Needed with this Mix! Also this mix Warms faster than native soil
New Depth Only 6 Inches DeepEasier Cheaper Less Work Can go 12, but not needed, except for deeper crops like carrots or potatoes If you feel better by making the boxes 12 go ahead it is your $$ and time!
TrenchesPlant vertical crops in trench1 ft. wide, 1 ft. deep, 4 ft. long Fill with peat, compost, and vermiculite Vertical frame is at least 6 ft. tall width depends on crop grown
Spacing Examples For SFG1 Plant/SF Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Corn, Okra, Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes 4 Plants/SF(6 apart)Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Marigolds 9 Plants/SF (4 apart) Bush Beans, Beets, Spinach 16 Plants/SF Carrots , Radishes, Onions
This raised bed is ideal for gardeners with bad backs, or otherwise handicapped for traditional gardening
Training PlantsTwist main stem around twine once a week Pinch out suckers that form in leaf axis If left unpruned, suckers will grow into new vines
Training PlantsNylon netting is strong enough to support large winter squash, pumpkins, watermelons Secure netting tightly to frame to prevent sagging
Protecting PlantsConcrete reinforcing wire protects plants against bunnies
Now, An All-Out Battle Against Bunnies!
Even NJ Gardeners Battle Critters!
Ohio SFG With 8 Deer Fence!
Protecting PlantsCovers protect against late spring frosts
Protecting PlantsFrost-proof, geotextile tunnels protect from temperature extremes during spring/summer season. Good to 28F
So Easy!Even a child can do it! Daughter Amanda helps in planting
Bunnies are not a Problem? Lots of Produce Can Be Freely Grown!
Succession CropsHead lettuce grown early spring harvested in early June Followed by MN midget melons
IrrigationPoint-source drip irrigation is very effective & efficient in delivering water to crops
MulchSF gardening trials at DREC, testing efficacy of different mulches
Common CropsCarrots Tomatoes Beans Squash Okra Peppers Lettuce Melons Flowers Sweet Corn Herbs
Winter Salad GardenIf properly insulated, the sun box can house a salad garden all winter! This would require south facing, heating cables, well-drained mix, straw bales for insulation, and window shashing
Common CropsTomatoes, Melons, Chili Peppers
Common Crops
Hybrid Bell Peppers Hybrid Melons
Rainbow Swiss Chard
Winter Squash & Pumpkins
GarlicSF gardening can also be practiced in raised beds, as done here with garlic 4 ft by 4 ft square
Common CropsHibiscus, Chives, Young Apple Tree
Her Best and Most Favorite Crop; Hard-Neck Garlic
Common CropsPerennials Daylilies Sweet Corn
Interesting Crops
Karl Forester Feather Reed Grass; Echinacea, Raspberries, Mint
Sweet Corn & Hyssop
Select 64 to 90 day varieties; Early Choice, Honey & Cream, Early Xtra Sweet
Agastache (hyssop), Echinacea, Monarda, Sweetpeas, and many others are great attractants for Butterflies and hummingbirds
SF FlowersThe striking colors of Phlox (Shortwood, and David white 2002 Perennial Plant of the Year Lasting beauty of Annabelle hydrangea
Pansy, Daylily, Cleome, & Ornamental Kale
Favorite Plantings!
SF FlowersSunflowers Blue Horizon ageratum
Betsey Has Something She Wants Everyone To Understand About Her Garden: Visit and Enjoy, But.
This Message Was Intended To Scare Bunnies Away! So Far, It Has Not Worked
We Have Faced Many Challenges In Our Gardening Efforts, and Thought We Had This One Beat..
Fruit Into Wine?
The Man Himself With A Unique Variation of Square Foot Gardening
As A Master Gardener, Share Your Knowledge!Betsey volunteering her SFG knowledge at the Fargo Farmers Market
Questions?