Maximize Your Garden with Square Foot Gardening

What is Square Foot Gardening? 

Square foot gardening is a compact, orderly way to garden within a small space. Designed by Mel Bartholomew in the 1980s, it divides a plot of land into little square chunks of roughly one square foot each. These sections are planted grid-like in raised beds that are easier to manage and yield more per square foot than conventional gardening. Each square gets its own crops depending on the spacing it needs, which makes this method a great one for new gardeners or those with a small area. 

It also has several advantages, such as less work, fewer weeds, and more water efficiency. It's a must-have for the urban backyard gardener or anyone looking to plant more with less. Planting in bulk in small, compact patches allows you to grow multiple crops without wasting resources. 

Square Foot Gardening Benefits for Growers In The City 

One of the things I like about square-foot gardening is how well it will adapt to different conditions. You can plant it on a balcony in a big city or a large backyard in the countryside; the technique is adaptable. It is perfect for gardeners trying to save soil and labor and make as much harvest as possible. 

This plant is also perfect for urbanites who don't want to use too much space. A little patio or rooftop can be converted to a square-foot raised garden bed. It's an excellent way for country farmers to keep their gardens tidy and manageable while trying out new plants. Furthermore, the practice encourages rotation so that the pests and diseases of the soil are minimized. 

Square-foot gardening conserves water, too. The plants are planted closer together, so the soil stays moist, and you only water plants, not the voids. Then there are the raised beds, as the soil drainage makes it easy to maintain the plant roots. 

TN Nursery Square Foot Gardening Experts' Top 10 List of Yard-Grown Successes. 

If you create a square-foot garden, you'll want to choose the right plants. TN Nursery has a wide array of plants for this fast gardening approach. There are three favorites that I would recommend: 

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) 

Black-eyed Susans are beautiful perennials that bring yellow to your yard. They are simple to grow and can do well in all climates, so they're great for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. If you have a square foot of garden, you can put these cheery blooms in the back rows to help pollinate bees and butterflies. They're also drought-tolerant, which suits the water-saving requirements of square-foot gardening. 

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) 

Daylilies are another plant that can be purchased from TN Nursery. They are perennials with bright trumpet flowers and are easy to grow in almost any climate. They like well-drained raised beds and make excellent border plants in a square-foot garden. They require little maintenance and will add continuous blooms all season. 

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) 

If you want to plant for pollinators, butterfly weed is the thing to buy. This native perennial is a favorite with butterflies, especially kingfishers. It is the perfect garden for square feet, as it takes up minimal space but brings ecological benefits. Its beautiful orange blooms are another reason to include it in any garden. 

How to Get Started with Square Foot Gardening 

If you're looking for a Square Foot garden that works, try these tricks of the trade: 

Choose the Right Location 

Choose a sunny place with 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Plant your garden in the shade if you're growing shade-tolerant plants. 

Prepare Your Grid 

Create a raised bed or fill a tub at least 6 inches deep. With wooden slats, string, or a template, cut out 12x12-inch grids from the bed. 

Select the Right Plants 

Learn what spacing plants you need and plant them into squares according to the need. For example, smaller plants, such as radishes, can be organized in clusters, but larger plants, such as tomatoes, need their square. 

Use High-Quality Soil 

Compost, peat moss, and vermiculite make the perfect growth medium. The soil's mixture keeps water and nutrients available for plant health. 

Practice Crop Rotation 

Rotating crops each season can avoid pests and diseases. For instance, you can plant flowers or herbs in squares that once contained vegetables. 

Plan for Succession Planting 

To get the maximum yield, plant cruciferous vegetables such as lettuce or radishes early in the spring and summer-harvesting vegetables such as peppers. 

Square foot gardening is a creative and clever way to create a lush garden. By choosing low-maintenance plants, such as black-eyed Susans, daylilies, and butterfly weed at TN Nursery, you'll have an attractive and productive space with less time and effort. This technique is revolutionary for space-hungry people who want to start gardening or for established professionals.