Square Foot Gardening (SFG): Growing More in Less Space
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- 💛 📖 See the GrowVeg book here: www.growveg.co....
If you don't have a lot of time available to weed, water and maintain your vegetable garden, then efficient gardening techniques such as Square Foot Gardening could be the answer.
With simple and well-defined instructions, Square Foot Gardening is a great way to start growing your own food quickly, and with excellent results.
In this video, we introduce the thinking behind Square Foot Gardening and explain everything you need to know to setup your own SFG garden beds including the best soil mix, plant spacing, positioning, companion planting and supporting structures to use.
If you've noticed any pests or beneficial insects in your garden recently please report them via bigbughunt.com
If you love growing your own food, why not take a look at our online Garden Planner which is available from several major websites and seed suppliers:
www.GrowVeg.com
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I watched Square Foot Gardening over twenty yrs ago and never stopped. The doors of gardening opened for a novice. Thank you for continuing a very good thing!
I've practiced this method for about 8 years. I've got to admit it was a pain to set up (Mel's Mix, building the beds then filling them). Since I've started, I've had great success adding only domestic compost to each square foot after harvesting. Since starting, I've added a drip system and 4ft x 4ft "lifters" with plastic frames to make a cold frame to get my veggies started earlier. I remove the frames once there is no danger of frost in the spring. Its a wonderful system with which you can grow an unbelievable amount of veggies without a tremendous amount of work (once you set it up and fine-tune it).
Love your videos and no-hype types. Thanks for your efforts.
Captain Ron if you build them on uneven grass , what’s a good way to level it ? We have clay rich soil . Would we amend the soil beneath the raised beds prior to making them ?
Thank you
How often do you have the drip system going ? Do you let the soil dry between waterings ? Also do you have one per square foot ?
Thanks
@@lofenoialof5320 That's my question too. I guess I'm going to have a load of dirt brought in and level then add straw between the beds to keep grass and weeds from growing.
I reckon it's worth the effort to get started, then you can build year on year. I like your idea of adding a lift off cold frame, that way crops could start a little earlier. We just got started this year, laid the foundations and weed suppressant last October then started planting out in March. We've been pretty impressed with our yield so far, but already have so many ideas for next year!
I have been doing square foot gardening since 1969 because I had no room to plant them farther apart. :)
Every year I always try to cram as much as I can in my garden space and this year I'm giving everything plenty of space.
I've used the SFG method for years. For regular harvests of fast growing veg (saladings etc) it has no rival.
I will be doing the square foot gardening this year and have happily found the Garden Planner. It has organized my seed purchases and which seeds to plant when, and I can enter all my own notes... AWESOME tool! Helpful videos! Thank you GrowVeg!
Great video. I would say that even experienced gardeners can love and expand the square foot garden method. My neighbor just throws up new beds every year and plants more.
If you struggle to make the time to keep up with your garden tasks, here's a great growing technique which helps you grow more with less effort:
Square Foot Gardening (SFG): Growing More in Less Space
Create your garden plan & planting reminders here: www.growveg.com/
For more Gardening Ideas visit our Pinterest boards: www.pinterest.com/growveg
#gardenplanning #gardenplanner #gardenplanningapps
Here is a link to our pinterest board on SFG that you may enjoy...www.pinterest.com/growveg/love-square-foot-gardening/
I just finished reading THE NEW SQUARE FOOT GARDENING and have begun to put some of the ideas to use . It was good to see this video , and I look forward to sharing it . ☺
Back to eden method is alot better
If you are not good with your hands in constructing a raised bed, you can substitute each one square foot by using a 5 gallon bucket with holes on the bottom.
That's a great idea.
This has been very helpful! We started doing this at our house and have had great results.
Wonderful pictures and video of the 10 steps in gardening squares! A must have for me!
I loved Mels show back when. I have his book "Square foot gardening". Thanks for sharing & for keeping Mels Ideas alive.
Just joined, just watched the video, and already I know a lot more than I did before. Thank you.
Welcome aboard!
Thank you very much for this... Im planning to organize our very small space for gardening and I happened to see this video...
I'm going to use a combination of square foot gardening and back to eden method :) just waiting on the seed order to come in.
Living By Choice that is exciting
@@Bast16711 yeah :) I have the seed order now and am working on growing. Just saw two bins start sprouting today! Both of the cherry tomato seeds :)
Wonderful video! Thanks for featuring Square Foot Gardening.
A few minor things:
Your raised beds don’t need to be 12” deep, but of course you can if you’d like. For longer root crops you can put a 1’x1’ “top hat” on top of a single row and fill that with the Mel’s Mix to make a deeper square.
Good info, but please, no potting soil. Wholeheartedly agree that you may use coco coir for all or part of the peat.
After harvesting you add a trowel of blended compost.
Mel actually wrote the book for expert gardeners but they just don’t get it. It’s a great challenge to see if you can get 2-3 crops from each square and grow year-round without the use of a greenhouse.
Kim Roman
Executive Assistant to Mel Bartholomew
Kim Roman Hi Kim, thanks for your comments and additional clarifications. We've run several SFG beds in our gardens and have found them to be highly productive, so we're very supportive of the method.
@@HxC_Fragman Right at the beginning, 6"-12"
very nice video. love tone of your voice,pleasant.will check the books and your other series
These videos are awesome. Thank you so much for taking the time to make these. =)
Thank you for your respond . Your videos are very helpful. Have a blessed night 🌹🌷🌸
I think I'll start off my tomatoes under plastic bottles cut off in the middle. Same with my melon seeds. I prefer to direct-sow, but those little buggers slugs have gobbled up my melon seedlings too many times now. Grrrrrrrrr! So now direct-sowing but under a cut off bottle for protection.
Thanks for sharing, I'm going to give this a try in my new raised beds here at Pine Meadows Hobby Farm
What a great idea! Must try it next season.
Vie de village, style campagnard, une telle vidéo est très intéressante! J'aime vraiment, je pense que nous aimons tous, s'il vous plaît ne vous arrêtez pas, louange pour vous!👋👋👏👏👏👍
Merci beaucoup mon ami!
This gives me hope, I am far from an intuitive gardener, but perhaps this would work.
I really like your video. This is a great space saving video. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, so wonderful and straightforward it's motivating.
Great video, need to tell this English information to my German speaking mum will be a challenge.
If u ever need a translator just write me a message
Being an "Avid Raised Bed/Container Intensive gardener" , having my own RUclips Channel "Gardening With Vincenzo" I am always looking for new info on , landscape design as well as growing techniques!
Thanks for sharing and "Keep Growing !
That was great really informative
Interesting method... worth trying if you have limited space.
so good of you to get back to me so soon thanks for the video that watched really impressed with square foot gardening &glad to know can be done in a greenhouse even a smaller one so am watching the video below once again thank you for your help happy gardening hope mine will be also .
Sandra Graham Just remember that beds in a greenhouse dry out very quickly, so it will need watering often! Glad it was useful to you.
thanks for the new video sure hope my garden looks as good as yours or at least know will have tried hope to be able to revue this video if need to have reminders .
Wow that is so cool! I love this methodical approach to gardening.
Great video. Thnx
Great video thanks for the tips
Very useful hints, thank you :) Thumbs up!
Nice video thanks for sharing 😊 new friend is here
brilliant software im using it this year for my SFG :)
Thank you for sharing 👍😘🙏
Yes, the high cost soil mix is definitely off putting and probably reduces it to "experimental" usage only.
I think you could still try this. It's really just the square foot spacing concept. But I personally am using back to eden method for my soil. But am using square foot method for planting. If that makes sense :)
you still need to know companion planting & enough air circulation, other than that, combine with dwarf fruit plants, you got yourself a delightful garden.=)
Where do you find the excel planner tool you showed in the video please?
It's called the Garden Planner and you can find out more about it here: www.growveg.com/garden-planner-intro.aspx
Fantastic concept. I have ordered Mel's book.How to I find the planning software?
You can find out about the Garden Planner at: www.growveg.com
Helpful video. Thanks!
Hello, I subscribed to your garden planner and have questions. 1- Can I make 3 separate garden plans in different parts of the country? 2- How do I delete a garden plan to start over? Thanks for your helpful information.
Carlota Chmielewski You can make separate garden plans but the planting reminders will only be for one area, since we use your location to look up your local weather station and calculate best planting times for there. You can delete a plan by opening it and clicking the Settings button.
Based on your expertise what would you recommend I grow in 200 square feet for MAXIMUM YIELDS? I am trying to become a vegan and I need help. I am looking for as much weight in vegetables/fruits as possible! (Preferably vegetables)
Check out our videos on growing high value crops (to save money): ruclips.net/video/dunT6y1JxAc/видео.html and square foot gardening, which is a great way to maximise yields from a small space: ruclips.net/video/f2FxJimob84/видео.html
As for crops, anything that is high yielding. Zucchini/courgettes, climbing beans, potatoes, chard, salad leaves, vining tomatoes - these are all very intensively producing crops.
GrowVeg thank you so much for your time! God bless you and your harvests.
Nice
Totally inexperienced beginner gardener here. In the video the gardener program shows so many pants going into a square foot area, depending on what you're planting. I'm a bit confused because I thought that any vegetable would need to be spaced out at least 12" apart. Am I wrong? We have built 4 x 8 raised (off the floor) beds and I'm having a hard time figuring out how to space out lettuces, peppers, eggplants, tomatoes. Anyone willing to help?
The square foot method uses a very particular soil mix. This is generally believed to help plants grow much closer together, because the plants have the perfect soil mix to root into. Personally I always plant at generally recommended spacings. You can turn the square foot gardening spacings on and off in the Garden Planner. I always use the standard (non SFG) spacings as my guide, which I find reflects typical soil conditions.
any tips on planting fruit bushes, trees as close to each other as possible and avoid powdery mildew?
Powdery mildew is normally associated with water stress, so the main consideration would be to water thoroughly in dry conditions when the ground has dried out, and to apply thick mulches of organic matter to lock in that valuable soil moisture and improve the moisture-holding capacity of the soil as it rots down.
very interesting, thank you!
Anyone know how to access the garden planner he uses in the video?
Yes indeed. You can find out more about the Garden Planner at: www.growveg.com/garden-planner-intro.aspx where you'll also be able to take advantage of a free trial.
is it possible to have one bed say 8ftx4ft dedicated to soft fruits? say a blackberry bush (with support) and then maybe two or three currant bushes or gooseberry or even strawberries?. I have just made a raised bed with two supports each end and wires for a compact blackberry bush, that will leave say a 7ft x 3ft patch, my first plan was to put in strawberries but im thinking a red currant bush would be good also
Yes, you could certainly do that, though it isn't entirely necessary to grow soft fruits in raised beds if that area might be more valuable growing vegetables. Redcurrants are a good choice - perhaps you could try growing strawberries beneath them, to get the best of both.
@@GrowVegthx very much for replying its much appreciated
How do you setup drip irrigation with square foot gardening?
I would irrigate just like any other growing areas. So long as the soil is getting an even depth of water each time, it shouldn't really matter whether you're growing square foot or traditionally.
i would like to download the garden planner, where can i get it
It is available from: www.growveg.com/garden-planner-intro.aspx
Thanks!
There is a CAVERNOUS fire ant colony directly under one of my SFG beds. Suggestions? I have stuck a metal curtain rod more than 2 feet down into it, and it feels like 1-2 inches wide - plenty of wiggle room. Who knows how massive it really is, and they are starting on a second bed. Help! It is under the bed, so I can't treat 360 degrees around the mound. And they are up in the garden soil now too. I tried agitating/driving them away without chemicals, but they didn't leave. They are just spreading. My only thought is to use the hollow curtain rod to get the treatment granules under the SFG beds directly into the colony. Will they leave if the queen dies? Just very leary of chemicals that close to food. Suggestions please?
Use rice, they will pick it to the nest and it will create a fungus that kill any ant in 8 meters.
@@MrCegado Thank you, I'll try it!
@@shakengrain1942 did it work?
Can I combine square foot gardening and no dig?
Yes, absolutely.
Grow Things !!
+MUDSWAT Gow ting ! !
+Ovui Gull Got gin ??
goop? thx
Hi Friends! It is with great sadness that I announce Mel Bartholomew's passing on April 28th, 2016. If anyone would like to share their thoughts with Mel's family and friends they may do so at his Facebook page: facebook.com/melssquarefootgardening/?fref=ts
+Kim Roman Thanks for letting us know. He'll be missed and we're grateful for the contribution the SFG Foundation has made.
Can i do a 12 foot square garden in an 2X 10 raised bed
A 2x10ft raised bed would give you a total planting area of 20 square feet. I would probably aim to make the beds a little wider if possible - ideally at least 3 to 4ft wide.
Great for one person ?
SFG does off a very convenient and small-space option, yes.
Great!
watching your square foot gardening would like to know if this canalso be done in a smaller greenhouse we live in desert type soil area ex: rocks ,sand . clay 7 some good rich soil first year grew veggies in huge pots did well as it was a hot summer ;last year grew some veggies in raised gardens did well however with ferral cats it was up hill battle ; this year am going to try a greenhouse as side yard is long & narrow what would you recommend to grow as here in Okanagan is quite cloudy & cod yet so when using raised beds this way could you advise me on how to start other than the square foot method which way to put them in a greenhouse likely a 4'x6' one thank you ?
Sandra Graham The SFG method will work well in a greenhouse - just make sure it's well ventilated (and perhaps even a bit shaded) if you're growing crops through a very hot summer. Take a look at our Garden Planner if you'd like to see which crops can be planted when for your area. You can even add a greenhouse on top of the bed on the plan and it will adjust the dates to match.
Everyone should grow their own.
Huge believer of home grown fruits and vegetables.
Please watch our videos.
My son and I are just getting started.
Where do we find the spreadsheet? Thanks
The program featured in the video is called the Garden Planner and you can find out more about it at: www.growveg.com/garden-planner-intro.aspx
Captain Ron if you build them on uneven grass , what’s a good way to level it ? We have clay rich soil . Would we amend the soil beneath the raised beds prior to making them ?
Thank you
Just dig out some of the soil from they higher areas to in-fill the lower areas - that's the easiest and best way to level soil. You don't need to amend the soil beneath the raise beds prior to making them - just put all the good stuff in the raised beds themselves. The worms will eventually 'dig' it into the lower soil level. The secret is to top up beds with at least an inch / 3cm of organic matter every season, in order to replace lost fertility and continue building soil structure both in the bed and the soil below.
GrowVeg that makes sense
I just tried downloading the app on my iMac but a confirmation email did not come. Is there a way to purchase this software to plan a garden layout another way ?
Thanks
You can also subscribe to the Garden Planner online - all details here: www.growveg.com/gardenplanner/gardenplanner.html
If you have any problems or questions, please don't hesitate to email our friendly support team. The email contact form is here: www.growveg.com/contact.aspx
What is that blended mix of ..?.. and potting soil at 2.27? Thank you.
It's coir and potting soil. Coir is also sold as coconut or coco coir fibre.
Square Foot Gardening (SFG): Growing More in Less Space
Why do you have to plant this in raised beds? Can you not plant and harvest in ground using the same planting plans and dimensions?
If you are adding the recommended planting mix at the right depth, then you don't really need to use raised beds. But raised beds help to keep everything neat and offer straight edges for easy compartmentalisation of the growing area into square feet.
Where do you get the Garden Planner for the computer you refer to?
+shoeaholicz Hi there. It's available from www.growveg.com
What do you substitute the Peat Moss with ? Potting Soil and what ?
In place of peat you could use a blend of potting soil and coir. Coir has a similar texture to peat. It is made from the husks of old coconuts.
Ahhh. thank you brother. You're truly an inspiration.
Another question my good sir, if the potting soil I purchase already has peat moss and compost included in its structure and I just add Vermiculite or Perlite am I good to go ?
Thank you Ryan
my square foot gardening is so dense it cant cut it with a knife!!
Too bad the garden planner app isn't made for the Android OS.
Where do you get the garden planner?
www.growveg.com
where do I find sq ft garden planner
The square foot Garden Planner is all part of the main Garden Planner. You can find details about the Planner at www.growveg.com
Any square foot gardening videos not trying to sell something?
Robert Acton You don't need to buy anything, just use the info.
Great use of limited space.
Hmm, cant seem to draw a keyhole shaped raised bed....any help?
It is possible using the 'Draw' tools to create free-form shapes. For a keyhole shaped bed you could select the line drawing option, then flex the shape of each line as appropriate using the middle handle of the three handles on each line. This way you can create half-circles etc. to create the top part of the keyhole. I hope this helps.
Not really, it's just demarcating your soil into 1 ft square plots to better understand plant spacing. I do the same w/o strings or dividers. Read ur seed packet
wheres the garden planner?
Hi there. The Garden Planner is available at www.growveg.com
Who is the man speaking??
One of our team members. :-)
love your show, I subscribed to your channel. Take a look at Alexas Kitchen, you have to cook with all your wonderful products. Love, Alexa
The new version of this program doesn't support SFG. Sad.
Hi there. The Garden Planner does still continue to support SFG. Just turn on SFG mode in your plan by clicking on the SFG button to the left of the plant selection bar. If you have any problems finding it or turning it on, please drop us an email at info@growveg.com and we'll look into it for you.
Why is measuring not enough? Why the wood squares across the top? I don't understand that part. Less garden planner and more info please!
Hi there. The wooden planks/battens dividing up the space are really just to aid with laying plants and seeds out - they are by no means essential. You could also use twine or string, held taut between nails at each end. This way you can just eyeball each square, without needing to measure. But really it doesn't matter that much, so long as you are spacing plants at the right density.
That sucks...couldn't download
Seems like Bollywood villain Rahul Dev
can i get advice , what type of , trees or vegetables can be gown on VICTORVILLE CA ,
Hi there. The Garden Planner mentioned in the video allows you to input your location, so it adapts the dates for various crops accordingly. You can find it at www.growveg.com Essentially there's a very wide pallet of plants that will grow in your location.
What? EVEN IF you have tons of Time, this process or technique is the ONLY way to go. Skip that Old Fashioned Nonsense and improve it drastically as they are doing with SFG. Not sure why this description mentions TIME and How to garden based on Free time!
IRL Minecraft.
Etc
I heard that some people farted at gardens calling it the "Green Fingers".
www.trimmer-edger-mower-cordless.com
1 John 2: 15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the price of life-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
The idea of a US engineer inventing these methods in the 1970s is preposterous. Like gardeners all over the world didn't know not to step into garden beds or the idea of intensive plantings.
This is just another case of a man claiming other people's knowledge and ideas for his own, giving it a marketable name and making a pile of money from it. And the wold turns on.
This is ridiculous you would actually loose space or yield if you followed this.
Please explain why you would lose on yield or space utilization by using square foot gardening techniques?
Seth Schwols it all comes down to row sizes between beds. I have seen several videos of this method being used but not utilized to its full potential. The thing that turns me away from raised beds is the cost, maintenance, and upkeep is far more expensive.
I have seen a method I really liked, it's the sfg method without raised beds. The set up is very similar but using the ground. Walkways are established and never tilled or worked up. Composting and discing is only done in the grow space. Same concept but it eliminates the need for purchasing wood, bags of dirt, mulch for paths, and the time to assemble everything.
My apologies for the lengthy response, I hope this kind of answers your question and gives you an idea on why some people don't like this method.