Square Foot Gardening Vs Raised Beds

Growing root vegetables such as carrots call for sides that are 12 inches deep.

Square foot gardening vs raised beds.

One 4 x 4 foot raised square foot garden bed can produce enough food for a small family but you may want more if you plan to can or freeze some of your harvest. At this size most gardeners can reach the middle from any side. The most common configuration for square foot raised garden beds is 4x4 feet. Square foot gardening is a quick way to start a new garden especially with the updated method using a raised bed filled with soilless mix so it s great for first timers.

It explores many of today s hot gardening trends including vertical gardening pest control and gardening with your kids. I love that in a single 4 4 foot bed i can grow a multitude of vegetables from several tomato plants to a whole bunch of carrots. This allows plants to be situated more closely together. I have used square foot gardening methods for over 25 years and have taught gardening classes for many years including square foot gardening classes.

Click the pre planned gardens to get a quick start. Square foot gardening pros. If you are new to this you may be asking what is square foot gardening square foot gardening is a method of raised bed gardening. The beds mel suggests 4ft x 4ft can actually be any length.

First we re going to assume you re using mel s mix as prescribed in the all new square foot gardening book which is by volume. More compost should be added in between every crop so at least once per year. 1 3 of a good blended compost made from at least 5 different sources if possible or use your own homemade compost which we recommend. Raised bed soil does not need to be replaced annually.

First off a square foot garden is simply a raised box or bed that is divided into squares the beds can be 2 feet by 2 feet or 4 x 12 but the most common is a bed that is 4 feet by 4 feet. Leave 3 foot aisles between garden beds and mulch them well for weed control. It was developed by mel bartholomew in the 1970 s as a more efficient way to garden. This led him to release yet another wave of square foot gardening books.

Make your sides at least 6 inches deep. 1 3 peat moss or coco coir 1 3 coarse vermiculite. Plus this size divides easily into a grid of sixteen 1x1 foot squares. Choose from 26 options including many designed just for elevated raised beds.