If you’re caught up in the urban jungle but wishing to add some more greenery to your life, square foot gardening is the answer. A space saving solution that allows you to have access to fresh produce grown in your own backyard, this is more than just a passing trend.
If you’re limited on space, or wanting to grow a variety of different plants, this guide will help you achieve a garden to suit your needs.
We’ve sourced materials from trusted suppliers like Outback Fencing to help create our sturdy at home garden so join us for a structured outline on creating your space-saving green oasis.
What is Square Foot Gardening?
Square foot gardening is a practice wherein a simple garden bed can be optimised to foster the growth of multiple plants, usually vegetables or herbs. This is achieved by dividing a raised garden bed into a grid, giving each plant a dedicated square foot to grow.
There are many benefits for both the gardener and the garden when utilising this method. For example, more vulnerable crops can be protected from harsh winds by more hardy plants with strategic planting methods.
Additionally, it can provide a great variety for busy pollinators, helping to sustain the hard working bees even amongst the hustle of the concrete jungle.
How to Start a Square Foot Garden
Choose the right location
When setting up any garden bed or veggie patch, ensuring that there is ample sunlight available is highly important as this can directly impact the growth and prosperity of your garden.
Just as there are ways to prepare yourself for unpredictable weather, selecting a location that is sunny but protected from the wind can ensure your plants are giving the best chance at thriving.
Create raised beds
When you’ve found your spot and you’re ready to start, the assembly can begin. It’s important to remember that the dimensions of your raised garden beds will determine what you’re able to grow.
There are many different materials that can be used for constructing your raised garden beds. If you’re wanting to have a clean, modern look, white planter boxes are great for their look and practicality, keeping your plant’s soil cool in the hot sun to prevent moisture loss.
If you prefer a more subtle look, repurposed timber can be a beautiful option to add a rustic vibe to contrast against the new blooming greens.
Create a grid system
Sticking to a square design will allow you to create a simple and even grid, however a rectangular set up can be beneficial if you are planning on growing plants that have a tendency to spread.
Your grid can be created using twine strung across the top of your garden bed, giving yourself an outline of the spaces available.
Plan your plant layout
Even with your raised garden bed divided into a grid, the plants you plan on growing can influence your greenscaping. Smaller plants like carrots or your favourite cooking herb can be planted with up to 14 seeds to a square foot.
Leafy greens such as kale or spinach may only be able to flourish with two or three seeds planted in their designated square. And for large, bulbous plants such as celery, one per square is the best way to ensure growth and prosperity.
Keeping your crawling plants (thyme, mint) on the perimeter of your garden bed will allow for overgrowth without encroaching on your other plant’s space.
Plant and maintain your garden
Be sure to water your plants regularly but don’t overwater them as this can cause root issues down the line. Mulching around your plants helps retain moisture and prevents weeds from taking over.
If you’re wanting to create a well rounded garden bed, flowering plants such as native rosemary can attract bees and help sustain your micro ecosystem. As your crops mature, remember to harvest them promptly to encourage continuous production throughout the growing season.
The Best Plants for your Square Foot Garden
There’s a massive array of fresh veggies and herbs that are well suited for new gardening adventures. Vegetables that grow vertically are gonna be our best friend in the square foot garden as they maximise our harvest and space requirements.
Tomatoes, cucumbers and beans are a classic favorite. They require plenty of sunlight and space and with the right care reward you with bountiful harvests. Beans are fantastic for adding nitrogen to the soil.
Carrots, peppers, rashishes and lettuce grow well in deep and loose soil and make them ideal for square foot gardens being ready to harvest in just a few weeks
Basil and parsley are easy to grow, often acting as a companion plant to other vegetables and herbs. Chives are low-maintenance and versatile and cilantro grows best in cooler weather.
Mint is a hardy herb that spreads quickly so it’s best grown in contained spaces, such as a separate square. Thyme grows well in smaller spaces and adds an earthy flavor to many dishes, making it a perfect herb for your garden.
The Benefits of Square Foot Gardening
Whether you live in the city or just have a small backyard square foot gardening lets you grow a variety of crops in a compact area.
By using a grid system you can space your plants to ensure they get the right nutrients, sunlight, and airflow they need for better yields than traditional gardening. Plants are packed closer together so they help retain moisture which means you use less water and high-quality soil mixes mean you’re gonna spend less time worrying about chemical fertilisers.
One of the best parts about all of this? The dense planting naturally keeps weeds at bay and raised beds help to reduce the exposure to pesky pests.
With less digging and tilling it’s also much easier on your body, making square foot gardening a great option for beginners, seniors or anyone who wants to garden without the heavy lifting. And when it’s time to rotate your crops the grid makes it simple, helping to keep your soil healthy and your plants thriving year after year.
Grow more with less effort
For any urban green thumb, it can be hard to enjoy the delights of maintaining nature’s beauty in the limited space available in the inner city.
Utilising square foot gardening allows for an efficient way to yield a diverse range of fresh produce or unique plants. This practice can create an ecosystem entirely of your own choosing, without compromising your ability to entertain guests or keeping pets.
With the rising price of groceries, being able to self-sustain through your very own veggie patch is something that is no longer just reserved to those with access to a large backyard. This renter-friendly gardening option is a real no brainer, and an addition that green thumbs and newbies can all sink their teeth into.
