What Is A Square Foot Garden?
A square foot garden is a simple way to grow fresh produce using very little space. It is a great option from the master gardener to someone just wanting to plant a few seeds.
A square foot garden is a small raised garden bed (usually 4×4 or 8×8 feet) separated into 1×1 foot squares by string drilled into the sides of the bed. This method keeps the soil loose and fertile, as the separation from the ground ensures that it isn’t stepped on overtime. In addition, the square foot garden takes up minimal space, is orderly, is a pretty quick set-up, and requires little weeding. This could be a great option for your gardening needs, and with these tips below, you should be planting in no time.
What Should I Make The Square Foot Garden Box With?
A simple way to build a square foot garden is with 2×6 wood boards. You can cut the boards into 4 or 8 feet pieces, then screw them into squares using 6-inch wood screws.
You can also use different variations of wood boards depending on how you want your square garden to look, but the same basic assembly instructions apply for whichever type of boards you choose.
An easy and cheap way to line the bottom of the square foot garden is by using a layer of cardboard as a barrier between the ground and your garden. This will reduce the number of weeds and keep the soil that you use separate from the ground.
How Deep Does A Square Foot Garden Need To Be?
The recommended depth of a square foot garden is 12 inches. Although most plants can survive with a depth of 6 inches, 12 is ideal for root crops like carrots and potatoes. If you don’t have this room, 6-12 inches will work for almost all plants.
What Do You Put In The Bottom Of A Raised Garden Bed?
For the easiest option, you can purchase organic raised bed soil to lay on top of the cardboard layer within your square foot garden. This pre-made mix can be bought at Lowe’s or Home Depot.
To make your own raised bed soil, mix ⅓ compost, ⅓ vermiculite, and ⅓ peat. This combination, called Mel’s Mix, is recommended in the book All New Square Foot Gardening.
In addition, this soil calculator helps you know how much of what to buy for the specific amount and dimensions of your square foot garden.
How Often Do You Water A Square Foot Garden?
This question depends on your specific climate. However, most plants need 1-2 inches of water per week, which translates to watering once or twice per week until the soil is completely wet. The square foot garden will drain easily.
What And How Much Do I Plant In My Square Foot Garden?
Now for the fun part–the planting! Pick your favorite crops in the squares you have created and follow the chart below, which tells you how many seeds to plant per square foot. Enjoy your simple, effective square foot garden!
| Vegetable Type |
Plant Spacing Per Square |
Vegetable Type |
Plant Spacing Per Square |
| Arugula |
4 |
Oregano |
1 |
| Asian Greens |
4 |
Parsley |
4 |
| Basil |
2-4 |
Parsnips |
9 |
| Beans (bush) |
9 |
Peanuts |
1 |
| Beets |
9 |
Peas |
9 |
| Bok Choy (baby) |
9 |
Peppers (Bell) |
1 |
| Broccoli |
1 |
Peppers (Hot) |
1 |
| Brussel Sprout |
1 |
Potatoes |
4 |
| Cabbage |
1 |
Pumpkins |
1 |
| Cantaloupe |
2 squares per plant |
Radicchio |
2 |
| Carrots |
16 |
Radishes |
16 |
| Cauliflower |
1 |
Rhubarb |
1 |
| Celery |
4 |
Rosemary |
1 |
| Chives |
4 |
Rutabagas |
4 |
| Cilantro |
1-9 |
Sage |
1 |
| Collards |
1 |
Scallions |
36 |
| Corn |
4 |
Shallots |
4 |
| Cucumbers |
2 |
Sorrel |
2 |
| Eggplant |
1 |
Spinach |
9 |
| Endive |
4 |
Squash |
1 |
| Fennel |
4 |
Swiss Chard |
4 |
| Garlic |
9 |
Tarragon |
1 |
| Green Onions |
16 |
Tomatoes |
1 |
| Kale |
1 |
Turnips |
9 |
| Kohlrabi |
4 |
Thyme |
4 |
| Leeks |
9 |
Wasabi |
1 |
| Lettuce (leaf) |
6 |
Watercress |
1 |
| Lettuce (head) |
2 |
Watermelon |
2 squares per plant |
| Melons |
2 squares per plant |
Yams |
4 |
| Mint |
1-4 |
Yellow Parma Onion (large) |
1 |
| Onions (bunching) |
9 |
Zucchini |
1 |
Don’t Get Overwhelmed – Just Start
One of the benefits of Square Foot Gardening is to allow people to start gardening in a way that isn’t too overwhelming. If you have the time or space to grow a big garden, or if you’re new to gardening and want to just dip your toes into it before you make too big of a commitment, square foot gardening is perfect for you.
