Looking for an easy way to organize your square foot garden this year and grown your own food? I’ve got you covered! Square foot gardening is one of the first ways I learned to garden, and it’s perfect no matter the size of your gardening space.
Like other types of gardening though, for best results square foot gardening requires planning if you want to take full advantage of the space you have and make the best use of your seeds or seedlings. Here’s some helpful info including a free printable square food gardening template for you to use!
Square foot gardening is a method of intensive gardening that maximizes the use of space. It involves dividing a vegetable garden bed into small square sections, typically 1-foot squares, and planting different crops in each section based on their size and spacing requirements. This is a great way to minimize wasted space and make it easier to manage and maintain the garden.
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Typically, square foot garden plans are implemented in raised garden beds, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Square foot gardens can be grown in the ground or in containers. You simply need to follow the principles put down by Mel Bartholomew who wrote the original Square Foot Gardening book and the All New Square Foot Gardening Book. These are both great resources to put on your bookshelf. I have copies that I love to reference each growing season.
Benefits of Square Foot Gardening
There are so many benefits to using the square foot gardening format in your own home garden, but in case you’re not convinced, here are some reasons to adopt this simple method of gardening:
- Efficient use of space: By dividing the garden into small, manageable squares, square foot gardening maximizes the use of available space, allowing for more plants to be grown in a smaller area. This is great if you have a small space or if you’re looking to not spend a ton of time gardening.
- Reduced maintenance: The small, organized layout of square foot gardens makes them easier to maintain, with less weeding, watering, and overall upkeep required compared to traditional gardening methods. This was one of the main reasons I jumped into square foot gardening myself.
- Higher yields: By carefully planning and spacing plants according to their size and requirements, square foot gardening can result in higher yields per square foot, providing a bountiful harvest even in limited spaces.
- Accessibility: Square foot gardening can be adapted for various settings, including urban gardens, balconies, and even raised beds, making it accessible to people with limited space or mobility.
- Saves Money: Since there are only a limited number of plants that can grow in each square, you only use a fraction of the seeds or plants that you would if you were planting in rows and then having to thin out.
Now, let’s dive into how to divide up your garden for a square foot gardening.
Not sure how to implement a square foot gardening system in your garden? Here are some ways to divide up your square foot garden beds:
- Physical dividers: Use materials such as wood slats to create a grid for your gardening space.
- String or twine: Stretching string or twine across the garden bed to delineate the boundaries of each square foot section. I used small nails in the sides of my raised bed to tie the string to. They lasted for years!
- Raised beds:Constructing sfg beds with built-in dividers or using separate containers for each square foot section.
- Visual markers: Painting or marking the ground with non-permanent materials to outline the boundaries of each square foot section. And once you’ve been square foot gardening for a while, you’ll find you don’t need as many physical dividers; you’ll know about how big a seeding square is.
- Planting grids: Placing a grid or template over the garden bed to guide the placement of plants in each square foot area. I personally have aGarden Grids watering system, and this naturally divides the garden into square feet and provides you with an easy watering system all in one.(See below)
How to Plant in a Square Foot Garden
Here are the basics for planting in a square foot garden:
- Prepare the soil: Ensure the garden soil in your bed is loose, well-draining, and amended with compost or other organic matter for optimal plant growth.(Learn to compost at home!)
- Divide the garden bed: Using your chosen method (physical dividers, string, raised beds, etc.), divide the garden bed into equal square foot sections.
- Plan your layout: Determine which crops you want to grow and their spacing requirements. Consult a square foot gardening guide or planting chart to help you plan the placement of each plant within the sections.
- Plant seeds: Use your finger or a small dibber to create holes in the soil according to the recommended spacing for each crop. Plant seeds at the appropriate depth and cover them lightly with soil. Water gently to keep the soil moist.
- Plant seedlings or transplants: If using seedlings or transplants, carefully remove them from their containers and plant them in the designated squares, ensuring they are spaced correctly according to their mature size. Water thoroughly after planting to help them establish.
- Label your plants:Use plant markers or labels to identify each crop in your square foot garden, especially if you’re growing multiple varieties or species. I have forgotten to do this in the past and always regretted not labeling. I think I’ll remember, and low and behold… I don’t.
- Maintain and care for your garden: Water your plants regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases, and address any issues promptly. As the plants grow, provide support if needed and harvest regularly to encourage continuous production.
By following these steps, you can effectively plant seeds and plants in your square foot garden, maximizing space and optimizing growth for a successful harvest.
If you’re ready to grow your own vegetables, then grab this free printable garden planner. It will help you get your thoughts down on paper and implement in the garden. Here’s are some of the planner pages included in this free printable:
- Plant List: Different vegetables that work well in a square foot garden.
- Plant Spacing: How many of certain vegetables to include in one square. (i.e. 16 carrots vs. 1 tomato plant) This spacing guide is perfect for beginners.
- Garden Grid Sheet: Put your plans onto paper with this grid for each planting block. It is designed for a 4×4 bed, but simply add lines or take away square you don’t need.
- Note Pages: Record all of your gardening info including a variety of vegetables you’d like to try, succession planting plants, companion planting ideas, and more!
More Gardening Helps
For new gardeners and experienced gardeners alike, here are some additional gardening helps to keep you growing!
- The Best Free Seed Catalogs: These free catalogs are not only from the best seed companies for your seed orders, but they offer free tutorials and helps within.
- How to Build a Raised Garden Bed: If you want to use a raised bed for your square foot garden, check out these easy instructions for building your own in a day.
- How to Fill a Raised Bed Cheaply: Bagged potting soil can be very expensive, so find out how to fill yours with good quality material without breaking the bank!
