Square foot gardening

The Square foot gardening concept was created by retired civil engineer Mel Bartholomew who wrote the book Square Foot Gardening published by Rodale Press. His gardening concept was also featured on the Public Broadcasting System.

The concept of Square foot gardening is laying out 4 x 4 feet squares within a raised garden platform. The 4 x 4 feet square is then divided into sections. Within each section a single plant is planted. Throughout the growing season plants are harvested and later replanted within these squares.

Bartholomew recommends purchasing and using Mel's Mix to fill the raised garden bed, but his book does give directions on how to make your own garden mix. The garden mix consists of peat moss, vermiculite, sand, compost, lime and organic fertilizers. See p. 62.

The raised bed can be placed on a platform to discourage weed growth. It can also be built as one unit and placed on a table or saw horses allowing the garden box to be brought indoors. This portability allows disabled persons the opportunity to garden using this method.

Watering the Square Foot Garden can be done by using a bucket of water or by using a drip irrigation system.