Many people are hesitant to grow their own food because they either feel like they don’t have enough time to invest in gardening, not enough space, or just don’t know how to get started. There is a technique called the Square Foot Garden (SFG) method that provides a systematic process to get your garden set up, planted, and maintained. The SFG has been so successful for me and so many others that I became a certified Square Foot Garden teacher. This article will outline the basic elements and will highlight local sources in Loudoun County to find the materials you need. For a full description of the method visit the Square Foot Gardening Foundation site and get the book! So what are you waiting for? Get started!
Simply put, the SFG method is an intensive growing technique that uses raised beds, with 6 inches of a soil mix that you make. It maximizes the amount of room a specific plant needs within a 1' x 1' square. All raised beds must be equipped with a fixed grid that allows you to plan out and designate where your crops will go. Note there are other essential elements you need to ensure you can have a garden, so before you start, make sure you find the best location.
- The most important element of this method is that you make your own ‘soil like’ mixture. It is important that you do not use your own soil as this mix is the key to reduced weeding and caring for your plants. The mix is called ‘Mel’s Mix’ and provides the perfect growing medium for your plants. The mixture, no matter the size of your bed, is 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 blended compost (or make your own!), and 1/3 peat moss. The book contains instructions on how to calculate exactly how much you need.
- Making a raised bed. The key to keeping in the Mel’s mix and heating up the soil is creating a raised bed. You can make it out of a variety of materials as long as it is at least 6 inches deep. Do not use pressure-treated wood. You can use cedar, synthetic lumber, stones, cement blocks, etc. Your bed can be 4 ft by anything. Standard bed is 4 x 4 ft. Recommended to get at least 2 inch thick lumber, although 1 inch can be used.
- Using a grid. As I mentioned above, the grid is an essential element of this method and without a permanent grid, it is not a Square Food Garden. The grid should section off 1' x 1' squares in your bed. You can use wood lathe, even old mini blinds! Within each square you can plant a specific number of seeds/plants, and the ratio is either 1, 4, 9 or 16 per square based on the plant. There is a guide located in the SFG book, or several online garden planners have SFG modes to help you plan out your bed. Check out some images of SFGs.
Although there are several other things you need to make your SFG garden, if you can organize the items above, you are well on your way. Get the book to learn how!
Local sources for materials: Home Depots in Leesburg and Ashburn sell 2 x 10 pine boards that are an inexpensive way to make raised garden boxes. Tart Lumber in Sterling sells cedar which is a better option to naturally deter pests and that will last longer than pine. Vermiculite can be purchased at the Southern States in Purcellville or at Merrifield Nursery. You can buy vermiculite online at Uline.com. Peat moss and compost can be purchased at most any nursery or garden store in the area. If you prefer to buy online, you can purchase most items from the Square Foot Gardening site.
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