So back to my title of "Squarish" Foot Gardening...'WHAT IS THAT??' you ask? Well I'll tell you. It is my version of "Square Foot Gardening", pioneered by Mel Bartholemew. According to his website, "Square Foot Gardening is a simple system that adapts to all levels of experience, physical abilities, and geographical locations. Grow all you want and need in only 20% of the space of a conventional row garden. Save time, water, work and money!"
Basically, you divide your garden bed into square foot areas, with either twine, lattice, whatever you have on hand. Then you plant according to Mel's scheme - so many radishes per square, so many tomatoes per square, etc. There is a lot of great theory behind his method - I have two of his books, and even got to hear him speak! So this year, I was determined to try it...in just one of my veggie beds.
Since the weather was accommodating today, and I was finished up work early, I decided I would at least get out and mark off the bed. The tools I used were: bright yellow mason's string, scissors, ruler, staple gun and hammer.
Then I proceeded to string off sections...this is where the "squarish" comes into play. Because my bed is 9' x 4' (the outside dimension), I couldn't get even 12" x 12" squares. So I have a few that are only 12" x 11" and some that are 12" x 18" - so I will plant larger things there. I stapled the string at the first point and then tied a knot around the staple. I pulled the string tight, measuring to make sure I was close to 12" and stapled it on the other side of the bed. I ran the string along the outside of the bed, put another staple in at 12", then ran it across the bed, until I had all the short lengths done. Then I started the long runners - measuring as I went - and wrapping the string around the existing strings...and hopefully forming some squarish boxes.
Once everything was roped off, I started planting!
In the first square I planted some Burpee Little Caesar that I had started. The other three squares are 3 different types of onions - Candy, Mars, & Copra - that a friend traded me (for some Ramapo tomato seedlings).
I can't wait to get out and plant some of the other things I've got still under lights! And I am hoping that my "squarish" foot gardening does in fact take less work, produce more in smaller spaces, and reduce the amount of weeds I'll have to pull!If you would like to learn more about Square Foot Gardening, you should visit: Square Foot Gardening Foundation
Happy Gardening!
