Square foot gardening.

[SusieG]

They look fab BM - I love the randomness!

Me too, Vix - that's what impresses me with SFG - there's no rigidity - think it must be my 'arty-farty' side coming out of me .......!!!

[marchogaeth]

If you could only grow veg from September until June using SFG (probably only 6-8 squares) but undercover (Polytunnel) what crops would you choose to be most productive/successful for youngsters?

I have a few ideas and some things could be started in August to go in as plants, other things could be started with heat and light indoors but KISS is best!

[Jay-ell]

Hmm, I might have to join in.

I found an old 8 foot blind in the garage ceiling. Should give enough lats to mark out 7 8x4 foot beds but I think I'll start off with one for now.

So how many yacon per square them?

[Bigmallly]

So how many yacon per square them?

None.............The problem would be disturbing neighbouring squares when harvesting.

[Bigmallly]

If you could only grow veg from September until June using SFG (probably only 6-8 squares) but undercover (Polytunnel) what crops would you choose to be most productive/successful for youngsters?

Off the top of my head..........maybe Autumn Onion Sets, Leeks, Parsnips, Spring Cabbage, Garlic.

[veggiechicken]

Marchogaeth.............Broad beans, peas, salad leaves, spinach, chard, carrots..............

[Jay-ell]

None.............The problem would be disturbing neighbouring squares when harvesting.

OR 16 squares per plant

I've seen in planting plans courgettes having two squares - I would have thought 2X2 squares as I cant imagine courgettes fitting into that space.

[Bigmallly]

Yes, in an ideal world 4 squares would be given to Courgettes. I'm giving them 1 square with the intention of trying to grow them vertically up a cane so they end up something like this:

[marchogaeth]

Off the top of my head..........maybe Autumn Onion Sets, Leeks, Parsnips, Spring Cabbage, Garlic.

Marchogaeth.............Broad beans, peas, salad leaves, spinach, chard, carrots..............

I also had short day length greens like mizuna, turnips if I started them in modules in August. VC hadn't got carrots down so good one. Ideally, I want two crops per square or more. Thinking to green manure the lot over summer when it gets water but nothing else? Best plant there - mustard or spinach?? Would have to be chopped and dug in green.

[SusieG]

Yes, in an ideal world 4 squares would be given to Courgettes. I'm giving them 1 square with the intention of trying to grow them vertically up a cane so they end up something like this:

BM, I've only given 2 squares to my courgettes and wish I'd allotted 4 each. Could I stake mine now to grow vertically, rather than sprawling. They're just going to overrun everything in neighbouring squares ...

[marchogaeth]

That's small enough to stake. I think it's important to remove leaves once they are not productive. I used to do this when I had them in the poly tunnel. BM would you plant a bush one or a vine on the basis that is is easier to grow up and over.

[Jay-ell]

I grew Costa Romanescue up a trellis - two in a three foot by one foot space. Another 2 didn't make it as the stems snapped when I was tying them up.

[Bigmallly]

That's small enough to stake. I think it's important to remove leaves once they are not productive. I used to do this when I had them in the poly tunnel. BM would you plant a bush one or a vine on the basis that is is easier to grow up and over.

I would think a vine variety would be easier to tie in, I would just keep removing the bottom leaves as they tend to rot quickly anyway. A bush "may" grow in a cage, I've never tried it.

[SaraJH]

A bit late Susie but here is my brassica bed plan.

[Bigmallly]

Good job you confirmed "mini Varieties" of Cabbage & Cauli Sara as otherwise they would need 1 square per plant.