What is square foot gardening?
Square foot gardening is a gardening method that divides a raised garden bed into 1-foot square sections to maximize space and efficiency and allow for compact growing. The square foot gardening method is beneficial for all gardeners, from beginners to advanced gardeners. This method allows you to grow a lot of food in a small area, making it ideal for urban gardeners. Learn how to use the square foot garden planner Hortisketch.
square foot gardening rules
Square foot gardening follows a set of principles aimed at maximizing space, minimizing maintenance, and increasing yield. The basic rules of square foot gardening are:
Divide your garden into square foot sections: Garden beds are divided into small square sections, usually 1 foot by 1 foot. Each square represents a separate planting area.
use a raised bed
Square foot gardening often uses raised beds to improve soil drainage, warmth, and accessibility. Raised beds are typically 12 to 18 inches tall.
Deep soil preparation
Before planting, the soil in the raised bed is deeply amended with compost and other organic matter to create a nutrient-rich growing environment.
Create a grid
A grid is placed within each raised bed to divide the bed into individual square foot sections. This grid can be made of wood, string, or other materials and serves as a guide for planting and maintenance.
plant intensively
Each square foot section is planted with a certain number of plants depending on its size. Sometimes a large plant occupies an entire square, and sometimes there are multiple smaller plants planted within a square.
companion planting
Utilize companion planting techniques to maximize space and enhance plant health. Certain plants are grown together to complement each other, deter pests, and improve yields.
crop rotation
Rotate crops annually to prevent soil depletion and minimize disease and pest problems. Each square foot plot is planted with different types of crops each year to maintain soil fertility and balance. Hortisketch helps you track what and where you plant each season and make sure you’re rotating your vegetables properly.
intensive plant spacing
Plants are spaced closely together within each square foot section to maximize space.
vertical gardening
Adopt vertical gardening techniques to grow vines (beans, cucumbers, peas) and larger plants (tomatoes, peppers, zucchini) to make efficient use of vertical space.
Regular maintenance
Practice regular maintenance like watering, weeding, and harvesting to keep your garden productive and healthy. Square foot gardening requires minimal maintenance effort due to its small and manageable size.
By following these rules, gardeners can achieve high yields in small spaces, while minimizing the effort and resources required for maintenance. Square foot gardening is especially suitable for beginners, urban gardeners, and people with limited space.
Recommended plant spacing for square foot gardening
vegetables
Number of plants per square foot
beans (bush)
4
Beans (Kiwami)
4
beets
9
broccoli
1
carrot
16
cucumber
2
lettuce (leaf)
6
lettuce (head)
2
onion
9
peas
9
green pepper
1
Japanese white radish
16
spinach
9
tomato
1
zucchini
1
Advantages and Disadvantages of Square Foot Gardening
Strong Points:
Beginner-friendly introduction to gardening
maximized space
Reduced weeding
efficient watering
easy crop rotation
Cons:
Initial setup cost/personnel cost
Limited plant selection
Risk of overcrowding
Dependence on soil quality
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