Thursday, April 16, 2009

OK, It didn't get started yesterday. Here's the plan.

Yesterday was the day we were going to construct our new garden. Didn't happen. {sigh} This week has been one of the busiest weeks I have had in a loooooooong time. We had dentist app, eye doctor app, ballet, activity days, Easter, and getting ready for our Seattle trip. {last part in a singsong voice} Needless to say, I've been busy.

So, we have all of the wood, soil components, and trellis structure stuff. It all just needs to be constructed. Why would I need wood for my garden you might be wondering?? Trellis? For a vegetable garden you might say? Eh ehm. I will tell you why, we are starting a Square Foot Garden this year! {crickets}

Maybe I should explain this so totally awesome way of growing stuff. Well, to save time I'm just going to cut and paste stuff from the Square Foot Gardening sight. They can explain it to you better than I can.

1st: Pick the locationLocation Matters!

  • Pick an area that gets 6-8 hours of sunshine daily.
  • Stay clear of trees and shrubs where roots and shade may interfere.
  • Have it close to the house for convenience.
  • Existing soil is not really important, since you won't be using it.
  • Area should not puddle after a heavy rain.

2nd: Follow The Ten Basics

  1. LAYOUT - Arrange your garden in squares, not rows. Lay it out in 4'x4' planting areas.
  2. BOXES - Build boxes to hold a new soil mix above ground.
  3. AISLES - Space boxes 3' apart to form walking aisles.
  4. SOIL - Fill boxes with Mel's special soil mix: 1/3 blended compost, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 coarse vermiculite.
  5. GRID - Make a permanent square foot grid for the top of each box. A MUST!
  6. CARE - NEVER WALK ON YOUR GROWING SOIL. Tend your garden from the aisles.
  7. SELECT - Plant a different flower, vegetable, or herb crop in each square foot, using 1, 4, 9, or 16 plants per square foot.
  8. PLANT - Conserve seeds. Plant only a pinch (2 or 3 seeds) per hole. Place transplants in a slight saucer-shaped depression.
  9. WATER - Water by hand from a bucket of sun-warmed water.
  10. HARVEST - When you finish harvesting a square foot, add compost and replant it with a new and different crop.

3rd: Could it be easier than this?

Build A Box

Build A Box

Mel's Mix

Fill With Mel's Mix

Add A Grid

Add A Grid

And start planting!


So cool right? If you have plants that tend to take over the whole garden like watermelon, pumpkins, zucchini, or cucumbers, no need to worry because they get trained to go right up a trellis. Leaving plenty of room for the rest of your plants. I just can't wait to start. It will have to wait till next week though. We can't even plant here yet. We need to wait till about memorial day. I think I'll experiment and start earlier. If you want to know more about this super cool gardening system you can check out his website at Squarefootgardening.com or just click on the link and it will take you there. Maybe we could start a little garden blog club. Just a thought. :)

9 comments:

Stephanie said...

I love the idea of a sq ft garden.
Since we are renting I am thinking of planting in pots. Maybe I' change my plan and use your idea.
Thanks for sharing.

KaTrina said...

I love Spring specifically because of plants :)

Jeanette said...

I think I could fit that in my tiny backyard. Have you seen the tomato planters that hang?

Amy J. said...

Cute AND functional! I can't wait to see the finished result.

libbie said...

I am so glad you are telling us about your garden, because I am bound and determined to have a garden this year and I have NO idea what to do! This makes it sound so easy :)

LKP said...

and ya know what? I don't even KNOW where the Spokane temple is! It would be nice to catch a session there too. We could do a blog buddy temple trip to each! Fabulouso idea. And its been since I was 14 or 15 the last time I was in the Seattle temple for baptisms. We should go there too! =)

Stephen Colbert said...

Way cool! Someone else has discovered Square foot gardening! My first year I didn't listen when they said that you need to get the soil correct. I spilled a few lettuce seeds outside of the box and voila - the lettuce outside the box grew wonderfully (we didn't harvest any lettuce from inside the box that year).

My next year I tried to rejouvinate the soil but once again, I took shortcuts. We grew a few things but didn't get much.

Last year I took a break and let my square foot garden sit. Perhaps the soil can fix itself after a few years.

This year I am thinking I should try it again. I am sold on the idea but I am nervous. What do you think - should I follow the soil advice mentioned in my square foot gardening book this year. Hmmm...

Lisa Christine said...

Yes! A gardening club sounds great!

dani said...

this would be something fun to get started on today, EARTH DAY!!! i may get out later and see what lowes has... how fun:D
love,
dani