What is Square Foot Gardening?

What is square foot gardening? You might have heard the term while you were surfing the internet about starting a compact garden in small spaces.
Or someone might have mentioned their own square foot garden and how easy it is to care for, not to mention the big harvests it produces in such small spaces.
Now, doesn't that all sound so nice? It did to me when I came across it.
I had never heard of it prior to stumbling across it while I was researching raised beds.
It's kinda funny how I found it actually, but that's another story, er not.
But, anyways, back on topic.
What Is It? Square foot gardening is simply gardening by the square foot in small areas.
Just one 4' x 4' area will produce enough produce to feed one person one meal every single day of the growing season.
Isn't that amazing? And 3 or 4 of these boxes will provide plenty of food for a family of four! Think of the savings in groceries! Mel, the author of the book, Square Food Gardening, recommends raised beds to virtually eliminate weed infestations and his own potting mix (1/3 peat, 1/3 coarse vermiculite, 1/3 compost) guaranteed to prevent overwatering.
With his mix, you CANNOT overwater no matter how hard you try.
Serious! Others have tried and failed! After setting up your plot for your garden, you then take either string or tape or pieces of wood to divide the area into one foot squares.
These are your planting areas.
For example, you can plant nine green onions in one square foot.
Each plant has its own spacing requirements in its own box according to Mel.
In his book, he details the requirements of other plants.
You'd be surprised how much you can fit into a 4' x 4'.
I only have a 3' x 3' and I've already planted green onions, mesclun, eight ball squash, bok choy, and marigolds.
And I still have 4 squares left to plant! It's Organic! If you use all organic ingredients to feed and care for your garden, then you will be rewarded with organic produce from your own garden.
Of course, food grown in compost will be loaded with good nutrition.
Well, depending on the quality of the compost.
But say you are composting yourself, then if you put in a good variety into your pile, then all those goodies will end up feeding your garden which will end up feeding you with organic goodness! Just thinking about the tastiness is starting to make my mouth water.
It's really not that hard.
I found it really easy to setup.
And with mine being a raised garden, it's much easier to plant as I'm not stooping and bending over as much.
And that's another positive about this method.
There's not as much shoveling or heavy work.
It's pretty much plant, water, harvest.
Just beautiful!