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Posted: Jul/01/2009 5:56 AM PST
I picked up the "New" Square Foot Gardening Book this weekend. WoW it looks like a real good idea, but I have my doubts even after visiting the website, The soil mix and depth was really puzzling to me, I deep dig my garden mix several items and layer tiller it in my beds to a 16" depth(whoops secret told). Mel's book method you only need a 6" soil mix depth, The mix looks good, so I will use my compost and try the Square foot method?. Mel also says you don't need fertilizer ? Organic or Commercial ? again a question mark . My thoughts on how using his recommended 6" deep Mix and no fertilizer may be the way he puts all that growth in the square foot box (stunting and starving the plants ?). So here's My Questions #1. 6" soil mix ? #2. Spacing ? #3. harvest yield ? Later Guilt Trip |
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Posted: Jul/01/2009 7:26 AM PST
I had a friend who lived in a trailer park and used his method to feed all 4 people in her family and then some. I don't remember everything she grew in it, but it was a beautiful garden and produced a lot. Mel Bartholomew used to have his own tv show. There are a lot of clips on youtube. I just checked!  I think the reasoning behind using a shallow method is most vegetables and fruits don't grow much below that level if that. Potatoes and carrots, but there's even varieties and methods to grow those so you don't have to dig so deep or work so hard. Even rototillers don't go that deep. From what I remember Paul James isn't a big fertilizer advocate either, but don't quote me on that one. I think he generally says to just use good compost. I used to have one of Mel's old books, but haven't been able to find it. I might have loaned it out years ago or, shudder at the thought, given it away. I'm glad to know there's a new one out. |
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Posted: Jul/01/2009 6:02 PM PST
Several gardeners in my community use this method. Also, students at the local high school planted a garden using this method and it was a great success. I personally don't know that much about it other than the fact that it is apparently used with success. |
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Posted: Jul/02/2009 6:05 AM PST
Never tried it, but am interested. |
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Posted: Jul/02/2009 6:57 AM PST
I'M like GT-I can't see tilled depth or workable soil only being 6" deep for vegetables! That must need constant attention. |
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Posted: Jul/02/2009 8:14 AM PST
I'm going to build one of those 4' x 4' boxed square foot garden planters to detail and match it up against my raised bed mix with the deep digging system that I've had good success with, I'll be working on it Saturday . The only way is a test, Later Guilt Trip |
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Posted: Jul/02/2009 9:35 AM PST
I'm with you GuiltTrip, I use the method some, only did green beans but they seemed to do well. I don't have the grids but when planting I squared it up and put 4 beans to a square, got quite a bit from them! I'm going to try it again with lettuce or some sort of greens. Let the test begin. floridagirl. |
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Posted: Jul/02/2009 12:33 PM PST
Hey, Floridagirl ? did you get all that poo spread out, Jake said at breakfast "He thought he still needed a hair cut" (I think he wanted to stay and catch your Frog , Maggie agreed with me, hee hee). Meeting your family was nice it's nice to put a face to the names. Your garden and back yard look like a place of peace. a place where a big glass of ice tea happens while watching that frog enjoy himself or herself on a few bug snacks. We will be setting up a Garden visit day soon, I'll get going and make it happen,I'll have to check out all the schedules around here,vacation bible school and all the meetings, go figure. later Guilt Trip |
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Posted: Jul/02/2009 3:15 PM PST
It sounds like you had a great meeting! Did anyone take pictures or have I just not seen them yet? Isn't the deep digging method called double digging? |
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Posted: Jul/03/2009 3:42 AM PST
Hey! we didn't take any pictures but the next time we sure will bring out cameras and post. I can't remember the frogs name, ? well he or she is big enough to definitely have a name, Oh the twins want a frog pond now, I ask what about fish? they said they would be nice, but I must confess theirs something about that Frog and the 4' handled dip net hanging on a post next to the pond. it look like a frog catching game could happen if we didn't watch the twins close. Later Guilt Trip |
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