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jcoenen

My First SFG Plan

18 years ago

Below is my "planned" garden layout for this summer. The 2x16 bed on top will have a cattle pannel trellis running down the center of the bed essentially dividing it up into two 1x16 sections.

Going into this completely blind so if I've done something horribly stupid with my layout let me know. I've never grown anything before in my life. I'm still amazed at how much stuff you can fit into these square foot gardens (or at least what I think I can fit into them :-) )

I am also planning on planting additional radishes, carrots, onions, mint, etc along the edges of the 2x16 bed as everything in that bed is trellised and will not be taking up that much soil space.

The zucchini I am planning on putting in tomato cages per the FAQ on this forum.

The yellow squares are just reminding me not to plant those items till the risk of frost is gone.

Anyway let me know your thoughts.

Jeremy

{{gwi:1274012}}

Comments (4)

  • 18 years ago

    All in all a solid plan, just a few tweaks to consider:

    The mint in invasive, you may want to keep it in pots, or else you'll have to weed it out of other squares.

    You may want to divide the tomatoes in 2 groups, so if 1 set gets blight (tomato disease) the other group won't catch it as easily. I have my cukes between my tomatoes in "stripes" to give them space from thier own kind.

    Raspberries and blackberries can be invasive, you may want to may these thier own bed (they spread undergrown, so I think sinking some big 18 gal buckets/totes into the ground to contain them would be best (drill holes like you would an above ground planter, put the bucket into a big hole, and plant in the bucket now in the ground). I've several things in them, and only dropped ~$5 per bucket (they're near the laundry isle) at walmart.

    I would tuck the strawberry runners (the baby strawberries that grow off the mother plant) under the trellised crops instead of them filling in there squares too much.

  • 18 years ago

    Those tomatoes will take over when the start growing, unless you plan on using Mel's single vine method. Same goes for the cantalope.

    Other observations/opinions include:

    -Snow peas grow abot 30 inches high and like trellises.
    -Depending on which way the sun shines, the peas may shade the pppers too much.
    -I'm not a zucchini guy, but they need tons of space to grow. Not sure if that's enough. Others may know better.
    -Blackberries in a SFG? I'm sure its possible but with the crowns they develop, it could easily take over your entire bed. I'd move them to their own area and depending on the variety (thornless are the best IMHO) I'd trellis them. They really take off in a few years. Otherwise don't expect a crop the first year.
    -If you think THAT'S the way to grow Babie Girls.. then I can't help you. hehe

    Great layout! Gonna be a long walk around it (a complaint I've heard about long beds, but I don't mind). Otherwise grade A job designing it. Take pictures!

    Here is a link that might be useful: Sinfonian's garden adventure! Check it out!

  • 18 years ago

    I didn't study it in any detail but two things pop up for me.
    1. I always recommend at least 4ft between beds. If you have it use it, else you will wish you had. Things do grow beyond the bed frames, esp. at harvest time.

    2. I see no mention which direction is which. North & South are critical in intensive growing esp. when using a trellis.

    Good Luck,
    Gumby_CT

  • 18 years ago

    Thanks for the comments! I have added a compass to the picture to help with shade recommendations.

    I will do my best to stagger the cucumbers in between my tomotoes.

    I'll also move the snow peas back to the trellis - I had them there but package said not to stake them so I put them in the normal bed.

    Raspberry, blackberry, and mint I guess I will look for a new home - btw they are the raspberry/blackberry are the thornless variety.

    I've actually already got the beds in place and strawberries planted. I will post some pics tomorrow once I install my trellis (using conduit and cattle fence).

    Thanks again for the comments and keep them coming. I've been reading out on the forums here for a couple of years before I took the plunge and have learned so much from you guys. I always recommend these forums as the premier spot for all gardening advice.

    Thanks again -

    Jeremy

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