Comments on: An Introduction to Square-Foot Gardening http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Fri, 24 May 2013 17:54:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Bruce K http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-3326329 Bruce K Fri, 17 May 2013 18:47:44 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-3326329 Hi Diane, I just finished building two raised beds, 24" high - nice height to sit on while working in the beds. I filled the bottom foot with plain old dirt (tri-mix) - at $31 a cubic yard, it's not expensive to fill. Compost is even cheaper at $20 per cubic yard.... the perlite was the expensive part. Here's an image of my finished beds... just put the last plants and seeds in today. http://greenterrafirma.com/square-foot-garden-construction.html Good luck, Bruce K. Hi Diane,

I just finished building two raised beds, 24″ high – nice height to sit on while working in the beds. I filled the bottom foot with plain old dirt (tri-mix) – at $31 a cubic yard, it’s not expensive to fill. Compost is even cheaper at $20 per cubic yard…. the perlite was the expensive part. Here’s an image of my finished beds… just put the last plants and seeds in today.
http://greenterrafirma.com/square-foot-garden-construction.html

Good luck, Bruce K.

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]]> By: Meggan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-2854692 Meggan Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:48:01 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-2854692 I recently saw a large-ish garden seemingly built around the idea of square foot gardening. I think that when I have a large garden of my own I'd like to set up boxes even if there is plenty of land to forego boxes, because maybe that saves time weeding and helps to keep everything organized. Do you think this could be a good idea? I recently saw a large-ish garden seemingly built around the idea of square foot gardening. I think that when I have a large garden of my own I’d like to set up boxes even if there is plenty of land to forego boxes, because maybe that saves time weeding and helps to keep everything organized. Do you think this could be a good idea?

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]]> By: mary-jo http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-1/#comment-2636632 mary-jo Sat, 28 Apr 2012 01:57:31 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-2636632 would you please post the image of the pine boxes?? would you please post the image of the pine boxes??

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]]> By: rita http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-1/#comment-1435332 rita Tue, 24 May 2011 01:19:50 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-1435332 I bought the new book for $5 at dollar general. yahoo. Happy gardening Rita I bought the new book for $5 at dollar general.
yahoo.
Happy gardening
Rita

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]]> By: Whitney Nelson http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-1/#comment-1334752 Whitney Nelson Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:26:30 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-1334752 Can you plant marigolds with any/all veggies or are there certain ones you should be careful with? Also, what pests are deterred by red pepper flakes. Sounds super easy! My tomatoes were infested last year with stink bugs. Would be great if it helped with that. Can you plant marigolds with any/all veggies or are there certain ones you should be careful with? Also, what pests are deterred by red pepper flakes. Sounds super easy! My tomatoes were infested last year with stink bugs. Would be great if it helped with that.

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]]> By: Laurie http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-488261 Laurie Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:36:11 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-488261 I've successfully combined lasagna gardening with square foot planting. Another method I love comes from Ruth Stout's No-Work Garden Book. I’ve successfully combined lasagna gardening with square foot planting. Another method I love comes from Ruth Stout’s No-Work Garden Book.

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]]> By: Diane http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-191536 Diane Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:52:03 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-191536 Have any of you checked out Lasagna Gardening? It's layers of newspapers, grass, compost, etc. right over grass or even packed down dirt. I did it in my first raised garden and the next year I dug down to check the bottom and the sod was GONE and so was the newspaper - all decomposed beautifully. Have any of you checked out Lasagna Gardening? It’s layers of newspapers, grass, compost, etc. right over grass or even packed down dirt. I did it in my first raised garden and the next year I dug down to check the bottom and the sod was GONE and so was the newspaper – all decomposed beautifully.

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]]> By: Diane http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-191535 Diane Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:48:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-191535 If you have a higher raised bed, just what the heck do you put in the bottom so you are not having to put expensive dirt in - I want to start with 4 courses of the cinder blocks for 32" height. I LOVE the idea of herbs and flowers in the open holes on top. The base has to be solid or the frost would get it from underneath - I'm in northern Minnesota near Fargo, ND. When I moved here, it was 61 below wind chill so it gets a bit cold. If you have a higher raised bed, just what the heck do you put in the bottom so you are not having to put expensive dirt in – I want to start with 4 courses of the cinder blocks for 32″ height. I LOVE the idea of herbs and flowers in the open holes on top. The base has to be solid or the frost would get it from underneath – I’m in northern Minnesota near Fargo, ND. When I moved here, it was 61 below wind chill so it gets a bit cold.

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]]> By: Micki in Denver http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-190638 Micki in Denver Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:05:12 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-190638 I'm about to start building raised beds (and I, too, want them more like 30 inches high because my knees are shot). I was planning on using 2x10s and was wondering about longevity of the boards if I line them with a really thick plastic. I used off the shelf plastic stapled to my board fence where I wanted to plant a short raised bed against it--and that was 15 years ago. Still no rot on fence. I have some ridiculously think clear plastic left over from an asbestos removal project (the plastic is new). Any reason I shouldn't line the raised beds? We don't have excessive moisture/rot issues here in Denver. (In fact, I have to water the compost bin.) And thank you all for sharing such great information! I’m about to start building raised beds (and I, too, want them more like 30 inches high because my knees are shot). I was planning on using 2x10s and was wondering about longevity of the boards if I line them with a really thick plastic. I used off the shelf plastic stapled to my board fence where I wanted to plant a short raised bed against it–and that was 15 years ago. Still no rot on fence. I have some ridiculously think clear plastic left over from an asbestos removal project (the plastic is new).

Any reason I shouldn’t line the raised beds? We don’t have excessive moisture/rot issues here in Denver. (In fact, I have to water the compost bin.)

And thank you all for sharing such great information!

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]]> By: carol in il http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-180097 carol in il Tue, 19 May 2009 03:30:09 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-180097 Hi. There are some great posts here, but I wanted to add my two cents on bed building. I used cinder 4"x8"x16" cinder blocks to build my beds. They came out slightly larger than 4'x4'. I only managed to finish one bed last year, but I planted it with tomatoes and they went crazy. I would have gotten really great yields if the dogs hadn't have eaten most of them! :) Using the cinder blocks helps warm the soil/plants even better! Plus, I left the top of the blocks open and use the holes to grow herbs, etc. There is a little extra work involved in the beginning because you have to slightly bury the first level of blocks, but then I reinforced the setting of the blocks with rebar and used mason's adhesive between the two layers of blocks for added hold. I got the blocks as seconds from a local plant so they were like 1/2 the price you would pay at Lowe's or Home Depot. And, instead of just being a regular concrete gray, they have more of a pink tone to them so they actually look a little decorative. Hi. There are some great posts here, but I wanted to add my two cents on bed building. I used cinder 4″x8″x16″ cinder blocks to build my beds. They came out slightly larger than 4′x4′. I only managed to finish one bed last year, but I planted it with tomatoes and they went crazy. I would have gotten really great yields if the dogs hadn’t have eaten most of them! :) Using the cinder blocks helps warm the soil/plants even better! Plus, I left the top of the blocks open and use the holes to grow herbs, etc.

There is a little extra work involved in the beginning because you have to slightly bury the first level of blocks, but then I reinforced the setting of the blocks with rebar and used mason’s adhesive between the two layers of blocks for added hold. I got the blocks as seconds from a local plant so they were like 1/2 the price you would pay at Lowe’s or Home Depot. And, instead of just being a regular concrete gray, they have more of a pink tone to them so they actually look a little decorative.

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]]> By: ddm http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-179897 ddm Mon, 18 May 2009 00:57:05 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-179897 I've been trying to decide between Mel's square ft. method and the Mittleider method. I've heard that the Mittleider method has an even much greater yield and deals more with lowering acidity levels. Does anyone know which method offers more yield or are they about the same. Thanks for any advice. I’ve been trying to decide between Mel’s square ft. method and the Mittleider method. I’ve heard that the Mittleider method has an even much greater yield and deals more with lowering acidity levels. Does anyone know which method offers more yield or are they about the same. Thanks for any advice.

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]]> By: Lizzy http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-179323 Lizzy Wed, 13 May 2009 12:50:34 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-179323 I am excited about my 40x40 fenced in square foot garden. I wished I would have done this 30 years ago. It's amazing how much you can actually grow and produce. I am working on another 30 foot section. Answering to some questions, Melons are easily grown and squash, if craddled when the veggies get to a certain size. ANYTHING can be attached to a trellis, if the trellis is properly supported. :) Happy Gardening I am excited about my 40×40 fenced in square foot garden. I wished I would have done this 30 years ago. It’s amazing how much you can actually grow and produce. I am working on another 30 foot section. Answering to some questions, Melons are easily grown and squash, if craddled when the veggies get to a certain size. ANYTHING can be attached to a trellis, if the trellis is properly supported. :) Happy Gardening

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]]> By: Paul@Zip http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-178415 Paul@Zip Mon, 04 May 2009 23:01:51 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-178415 Hey thanks for the shout out EastrnGrl. Yes, our web-based Garden Design tool does much of the work of calculating plant and row spacing, seed qty, bed placement, etc. Just choose your crop, click and drag to place. As you mentioned, we'll kit all the seed needed for your design and include a customized online workook that walks you through everything step by step. Short video on youtube if you'd care to see more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meAWokYeYQs Hey thanks for the shout out EastrnGrl. Yes, our web-based Garden Design tool does much of the work of calculating plant and row spacing, seed qty, bed placement, etc. Just choose your crop, click and drag to place. As you mentioned, we’ll kit all the seed needed for your design and include a customized online workook that walks you through everything step by step. Short video on youtube if you’d care to see more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meAWokYeYQs

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]]> By: EastrnGrl http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-172796 EastrnGrl Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:22:37 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-172796 There are even web-based garden design applications. ZipHarvest.com has an actual online garden layout tool that can be used to design custom gardens or people can purchase an existing garden built by a professional (after purchasing, seeds arrive in the mail apparently). I think they just added a replica of the new White House kitchen garden... http://www.zipharvest.com There are even web-based garden design applications. ZipHarvest.com has an actual online garden layout tool that can be used to design custom gardens or people can purchase an existing garden built by a professional (after purchasing, seeds arrive in the mail apparently). I think they just added a replica of the new White House kitchen garden…

http://www.zipharvest.com

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]]> By: Ransome http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-172257 Ransome Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:33:07 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-172257 Dear Ursala, squarefootgardening.com provides detail but you must look for it in text and visually. There are descriptions in FAQ and visuals in teaching aids. There is a forum about individual plants. The principle and pattern is easy. Mel promotes the essentials but he stops at the grid. Template planting is equally important but is not emphasized. Template planting involves several templates depending on plant spacing. The minute you visualize it, it will make sense and the information is available on squarefootgardening.com. There is no reason for me to reproduce it. Dear Ursala,

squarefootgardening.com provides detail but you must look for it in text and visually. There are descriptions in FAQ and visuals in teaching aids. There is a forum about individual plants. The principle and pattern is easy. Mel promotes the essentials but he stops at the grid. Template planting is equally important but is not emphasized. Template planting involves several templates depending on plant spacing. The minute you visualize it, it will make sense and the information is available on squarefootgardening.com. There is no reason for me to reproduce it.

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]]> By: ursula http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-165217 ursula Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:02:36 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-165217 Thwy tell about the bed but nobody gives any advice on how many of each vegatable to grow in each square 1'x1' For example, how many carrot, or cauliflower, corn, romaine lettuce and so on.My tomatoes, 2 to a square are doing fine, but the radishes, 9 just grow into seed. what am I doing wrong http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/ please leave letter for reference Ursula Thwy tell about the bed but nobody gives any advice on how many of each vegatable to grow in each square 1′x1′
For example, how many carrot, or cauliflower, corn, romaine lettuce and so on.My tomatoes, 2 to a square are doing fine, but the radishes, 9 just grow into seed. what am I doing wrong

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/
please leave letter for reference
Ursula

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]]> By: The Happy Rock http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-164295 The Happy Rock Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:44:08 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-164295 Just delicioused the article so that when we finally have a house with some land we can do this. I love the idea of less work. I am hoping to do a couple of fruit trees too. It will make a nice dent in the summer budget. Just delicioused the article so that when we finally have a house with some land we can do this. I love the idea of less work.

I am hoping to do a couple of fruit trees too.

It will make a nice dent in the summer budget.

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]]> By: Jim Kirby http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-164061 Jim Kirby Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:25:10 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-164061 @Jeff: Personally, I'd take the paint off of any surface that touches dirt. But otherwise it sounds like a cool idea. Should look good. @Jeff: Personally, I’d take the paint off of any surface that touches dirt. But otherwise it sounds like a cool idea. Should look good.

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]]> By: Jeff http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-164056 Jeff Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:01:57 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-164056 I have some guard railing 1'X16' I am considering using for the sides of raised beds. They are painted over Galvinized steel. Do you see any problems? I have some guard railing 1′X16′ I am considering using for the sides of raised beds. They are painted over Galvinized steel. Do you see any problems?

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]]> By: Jim Kirby http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-164000 Jim Kirby Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:54:18 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-164000 @Janna: Last boxes I build I made with 1" cedar. They were still going strong on their 6th season when I had to leave them behind last summer. This year I plan to use redwood instead. DO NOT use treated pine. You don't want the chemicals in your food. You can use untreated pine, but expect to replace parts of it every year or so. @Janna: Last boxes I build I made with 1″ cedar. They were still going strong on their 6th season when I had to leave them behind last summer. This year I plan to use redwood instead.

DO NOT use treated pine. You don’t want the chemicals in your food. You can use untreated pine, but expect to replace parts of it every year or so.

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]]> By: Janna http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-163060 Janna Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:11:18 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-163060 What type of wood are the raised beds generally made of? I imagine people just use pine, but here in the south I think I would only get a couple of years out of pine. Just wondering if something like cypress might be better. Any thoughts? What type of wood are the raised beds generally made of? I imagine people just use pine, but here in the south I think I would only get a couple of years out of pine. Just wondering if something like cypress might be better. Any thoughts?

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]]> By: Making and Doing: The Value of Productive Hobbies ? Get Rich Slowly http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-2/#comment-149699 Making and Doing: The Value of Productive Hobbies ? Get Rich Slowly Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:00:12 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-149699 [...] An introduction to square-foot gardening [...]

[...] An introduction to square-foot gardening [...]

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]]> By: lexi http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-1/#comment-145426 lexi Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:01:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-145426 There is a great tutorial video on how to put in these beds, for those more visually inclined: http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/454-square-foot-gardening It was made by a restaurant in Austin, East Side Cafe, that uses square foot gardening to grow veggies for their kitchen. There is a great tutorial video on how to put in these beds, for those more visually inclined: http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/454-square-foot-gardening

It was made by a restaurant in Austin, East Side Cafe, that uses square foot gardening to grow veggies for their kitchen.

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]]> By: Mary http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-1/#comment-135438 Mary Sat, 07 Jun 2008 05:08:30 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-135438 This will be my first vertical garden. I want to trellis pick-n-pick yellow crookneck squash from Burpee. Will it take to a trellis? If not, I can trellis butternut, but I'm going to plant new seeds for the trellis, and crookneck is what I don't have much of. Thanks, Mary This will be my first vertical garden. I want to trellis pick-n-pick yellow crookneck squash from Burpee. Will it take to a trellis?
If not, I can trellis butternut, but I’m going to plant new seeds for the trellis, and crookneck is what I don’t have much of.

Thanks,
Mary

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]]> By: The Year-Long GRS Project: How Much Does a Garden Really Save? ? Get Rich Slowly http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-1/#comment-135069 The Year-Long GRS Project: How Much Does a Garden Really Save? ? Get Rich Slowly Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:22:25 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-135069 [...] An introduction to square-foot gardening [...]

[...] An introduction to square-foot gardening [...]

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]]> By: Heidi http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-1/#comment-134972 Heidi Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:05:07 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-134972 Bill, Thanks for the advice! I think building the boxes high up is a great idea, and I was just thinking last night that since I'm going to have to replace the windows in my home soon, I could adapt them to put a temporary cold frame over the whole structure to grow from seeds and then remove it when they get too tall. Temperature here drops all summer long, so the more time I can give them... Heidi Bill,
Thanks for the advice! I think building the boxes high up is a great idea, and I was just thinking last night that since I’m going to have to replace the windows in my home soon, I could adapt them to put a temporary cold frame over the whole structure to grow from seeds and then remove it when they get too tall. Temperature here drops all summer long, so the more time I can give them…
Heidi

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]]> By: BillinDetroit http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-1/#comment-134944 BillinDetroit Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:19:31 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-134944 Heidi, Raise the boxes higher than for SFG. Orient them east-west so that the south side of the box is the long one to capture max heat from the sun. Keep a LOT of rotting vegetable material / manures worked into the soil as a natural heat source. We just had a pretty hard (and very late) frost in Mich. while I was out of town and I lost NOTHING. All I had for heat was some half-finished compost ... but my beds are ~2 ft above the ground and the cold air sinks BELOW the level of the plants. You can certainly make a cold frame from salvaged windows / patio doors that is more than serviceable. I can recommend the Irrigro (tyvek tape) low pressure weep irrigation system. It has always worked well for me ... my plants never realize that we have a drought every July / August ... they just keep plowing ahead. The tomatoes, especially love it. Keep LOTS of mulch on top of the soil to minimize water loss. I plant, lay the tyvek in place, adjust the water flow to just enough to keep the tape a little 'weepy' and apply a thick mulch over everything. Done. Few weeds - no drought stress - great yields. Heidi,
Raise the boxes higher than for SFG. Orient them east-west so that the south side of the box is the long one to capture max heat from the sun. Keep a LOT of rotting vegetable material / manures worked into the soil as a natural heat source. We just had a pretty hard (and very late) frost in Mich. while I was out of town and I lost NOTHING. All I had for heat was some half-finished compost … but my beds are ~2 ft above the ground and the cold air sinks BELOW the level of the plants.

You can certainly make a cold frame from salvaged windows / patio doors that is more than serviceable.

I can recommend the Irrigro (tyvek tape) low pressure weep irrigation system. It has always worked well for me … my plants never realize that we have a drought every July / August … they just keep plowing ahead. The tomatoes, especially love it.

Keep LOTS of mulch on top of the soil to minimize water loss. I plant, lay the tyvek in place, adjust the water flow to just enough to keep the tape a little ‘weepy’ and apply a thick mulch over everything. Done. Few weeds – no drought stress – great yields.

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]]> By: Heidi http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-1/#comment-134910 Heidi Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:15:37 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-134910 It seems to me like square foot gardening would combine very naturally with the theories behind self-watering containers. Has anyone tried to build a square-foot garden with some kind of water reservoir and wicking system on the bottom? And how about modifying the construction so it could be used as a cold frame (some way to put a glass roof on it for the late winter to start seeds early). I just moved to Colorado and maximizing my short growing season and minimizing water use are a priority. Thanks for any help! heidi It seems to me like square foot gardening would combine very naturally with the theories behind self-watering containers. Has anyone tried to build a square-foot garden with some kind of water reservoir and wicking system on the bottom?

And how about modifying the construction so it could be used as a cold frame (some way to put a glass roof on it for the late winter to start seeds early). I just moved to Colorado and maximizing my short growing season and minimizing water use are a priority. Thanks for any help!
heidi

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]]> By: Weekly Roundup: All-Star Celebration Edition | Frugal Dad http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-1/#comment-134517 Weekly Roundup: All-Star Celebration Edition | Frugal Dad Sat, 31 May 2008 15:21:30 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-134517 [...] An Introduction to Square Foot Gardening at Get Rich Slowly.  Ah, the post that started it all!  For those that weren’t around I took on my own square foot gardening project based on J.D.’s post.  My own “how-to” post was featured on Lifehacker.org, and 15,000 overnight visitors later Frugal Dad took off.  Interestingly enough, this article remains one of my most popular posts, as does J.D.’s at his own blog.  [...]

[...] An Introduction to Square Foot Gardening at Get Rich Slowly.  Ah, the post that started it all!  For those that weren’t around I took on my own square foot gardening project based on J.D.’s post.  My own “how-to” post was featured on Lifehacker.org, and 15,000 overnight visitors later Frugal Dad took off.  Interestingly enough, this article remains one of my most popular posts, as does J.D.’s at his own blog.  [...]

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]]> By: Lou http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/comment-page-1/#comment-134441 Lou Fri, 30 May 2008 19:22:14 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/21/an-introduction-to-square-foot-gardening/#comment-134441 Thanks for all the invaluable advice. About to start, but due to back problems am getting the hard work done for me. Has anyone ever block built the beds for SFG? Want something permanant without much/any maintenance. Thanks for all the invaluable advice. About to start, but due to back problems am getting the hard work done for me. Has anyone ever block built the beds for SFG? Want something permanant without much/any maintenance.

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