If you’re working with limited space, square foot gardening can be a game-changer for growing tonnes of food in a small area. Over the years, I’ve found this method to be incredibly effective and efficient for backyard gardening and succession planting. In this article, I’ll introduce you to the square foot gardening system, talk about why it’s such a useful technique, and offer some common ways to make the most of your square foot grids. For more tips on boosting your harvests, check out our article on the Simple Cut and Come Again Technique.
What is Square Foot Gardening?
Square Foot Gardening is a gardening technique created by Mel Bartholomew that provides a simple system for growing plants in small spaces. The method uses a grid of 1-foot by 1-foot squares, which can be used for planting different crops. This maximizes space efficiency, allowing you to grow a lot of different food in the same area.
By organizing your garden into manageable squares, you can easily plan, plant, and maintain your crops while also keeping weeds and pests under control. Square Foot Gardening is particularly useful for those with limited space or who want to get the most out of a small garden.
Benefits
- Easy to Plan and Maintain: The grid layout simplifies garden planning and maintenance tasks.
- Efficient Use of Space: The 1-foot grid system maximizes your growing area for more plants in a smaller space.
- Time and Resource Efficient: Quick setup and maintenance use fewer resources and save time.
Choosing Plants
When selecting plants for your square foot garden, consider the climate and the season. You want to choose plants that thrive in your area so you can get the most out of your garden. If you’re gardening in a hot climate like me, it can be a good idea to choose heat-tolerant vegetables that can withstand those higher temperatures.
Setting Up
Generally, Square Foot Gardening is performed in a raised garden bed. This method is ideal because the soil in a raised bed can be kept extremely nutrient-dense, which is essential for the dense planting that occurs in the grids. Raised beds make it easier to control soil quality, nutrients, and other growing conditions compared to traditional ground beds.
You will also need a system to create the square grids in your garden bed. I like to use wood for its sturdiness and aesthetic appeal, but you can also use other materials you might have on hand, such as bricks or a simple string line.
Grids
Once you have your grids set up, there are a few different ways you can use them to grow crops. Below is a list of common crops and the grid measurements that work well for each:
“Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large Think of these plants as if they were shirt sizes. Shirts come in all four sizes: small, medium, large, and extra large, and so do our plants. It’s that simple.”
Mel Bartholomew
Small – 16 per Square Foot (4×4 Grid)
Ideal for quick, high-yield crops. Rotate crops regularly to maintain soil health.
- Carrots
- Spring Onions
- Radishes
- Lettuce (Baby Leaf)
- Mustard Greens
- Arugula
- Beets (Baby)
- Turnips
- Baby Bok Choy
- Cilantro
- Coriander
- Dill
Medium – 9 per Square Foot (3×3 Grid)
Best for vegetables that require moderate space and nutrients.
- Beetroot
- Turnip
- Swedes
- Parsnip
- Leeks
- Bush Beans
- Spinach
- Garlic
- Celery
- Chives
- Peas (Bush Varieties)
- Coriander
- Dill
Large – 4 per Square Foot (2×2 Grid)
Suitable for plants that need room to grow and develop fully.
- Rocket
- Lettuce (Head)
- Asian Greens
- Corn
- Fennel
- Kohlrabi
- Thyme
- Swiss Chard/Silverbeet
- Parsley
- Kale
- Zucchini (Bush Varieties)
- Tomato (Determinate Varieties)
Extra Large – 1 per Square Foot
Basically anything that gets large and likes to spread.
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprout
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Chili
- Capsicum (Bell Pepper)
- Oregano
- Rhubarb
- Rosemary
- Tarragon
- Tomato (Indeterminate Varieties)
- Pumpkin
Conclusion
Square Foot Gardening is a fantastic way to make the most of a small space and grow a variety of crops efficiently. Both straight forward and low maintenance, it’s perfect for both beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.
Give Square Foot Gardening a try and see how much you can grow in a small area. Share your results and tips in the comments below!
