Plant 8 peas per square, set in two rows of four along a trellis on the north edge of your bed. That spacing gives each vine about 3 inches of room, enough air to stay healthy, and a support to climb from the first week. Peas are among the easiest crops to fit into a … Read more >>
Plant 16 carrots in each square of a square foot garden, set in a 4 by 4 grid of spots about 3 inches apart. For carrots in a square foot garden, I recommend 16 per square, sown 1/4 inch deep in at least 12 inches of loose mix for full-length types, or in a 6-inch … Read more >>
The best plants for square foot gardening are compact, fast crops that fit a set count per 1-foot square: leaf lettuce (4), spinach (9), radishes and carrots (16), bush beans (9), peppers (1), and trellised tomatoes (1). These crops reward a small raised bed because they grow up or stay tight, and many can be … Read more >>
Most herbs fit neatly into a square foot grid once you match each one to its mature size. Plant 1 large basil, oregano, sage or rosemary per square, 4 compact basil, parsley or thyme, 9 cilantro, and 9 to 16 chives, and keep mint out of the bed entirely. Put perennials on the edges and … Read more >>
Good plants start with good soil. The great news is that you don’t need to buy bag after bag to get it. You can make organic soil at home with kitchen scraps, fallen leaves, and a little patience. In this guide, I’ll walk you through what organic soil really is and how to build it … Read more >>
For square foot gardening onions, plant 9 bulbing onions per square at about 4-inch spacing, or 16 green onions per square at 3-inch spacing. That simple grid gives each bulb enough room to swell while packing a surprising harvest into a single foot of soil. The catch is that spacing only works if the rest … Read more >>
Growing your own food is one of the most rewarding things you can do with a patch of yard. If you want to start a vegetable garden in your backyard, you don’t need a big budget, special tools or years of experience. You need a sunny spot, decent soil and a simple plan. In this … Read more >>
Fresh herbs are among the easiest plants to grow, and they pay you back almost right away. A few pots of basil, parsley, and chives can turn a plain dinner into something special. You also skip paying for those little plastic clamshells at the grocery store. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you … Read more >>
Pumpkins fit in a square foot bed when you pick a small-fruited variety and send the vine up. For square foot gardening pumpkins, I plant one mini or pie pumpkin per two squares at the foot of a sturdy north-side trellis, then cradle each fruit in a sling as it grows. If you’d rather let … Read more >>
Plant one eggplant per square in a square foot garden. Give each eggplant its own full 12 x 12-inch square, set the transplant in the center, and choose a compact or slender Asian variety so the plant stays inside its space. Large globe types can spread 2 to 3 feet and spill into the squares … Read more >>