Question about garden size and layout

BaileyJune 3/29/2012, 8:01 pm

Hi All,

I have been reading Mel's books for a few years now, but this year is my first opportunity have a square foot garden. I'm somewhat constrained, though, as my garden space is a 10 x 12 foot patch in a community garden. The bed IS raised.

I am at a loss as to how I should set up my space. Ideally, I would like the standard 4 x 4 boxes, but I think it'll be tough to do since the plot is already raised and doesn't have enough space to accommodate paths.

Does anyone have suggestions for how it should be laid out? Thanks so much!!

Bailey

kittykat 3/29/2012, 8:25 pm

You know what I like to do? I do a Google search for square foot gardening. Then when the results come up, click on the left-hand side where it says IMAGES and you will have a sea of images of square foot gardens to look at to get ideas from... If you click on an image, it will enlarge it. If you close the enlarged pic, it will take you to the website where Google found the image.

Lots of browsing fun and idea-gathering there...

quiltbea 3/29/2012, 8:32 pm

I would make my garden area 12' wide and 10' long. You could get 3 beds out of it.

Figure two bed areas as 2 feet wide along both outside edges, then a 4-foot bed down the center leaving you two 2-ft paths, one on either side of the center bed. You could lay straw down for the footpaths or get some paving blocks or even a couple of 12" wide boards between the beds. You need some working room so be sure your pathways are at least 2 ft wide. Any narrower and you won't be able to maneuver between your beds.

Good luck and enjoy your gardening experience.

BaileyJune 3/29/2012, 8:58 pm

Thank you both for the ideas. I appreciate them!!! Smile

GWN 3/29/2012, 9:01 pm

what a cool idea kitty cat, I use images for many other things, but had not thought of doing this...thanx

Chopper 3/29/2012, 9:08 pm

I am unclear about what you mean by raised. Is it contained within wooden borders? Raised how? And what kind of access do you have? Can you reach boxes from the aisles or can you only access them within your own site? A picture might help.

But never let it be said that lack of information stopped me from giving my 2 cents worth. How about one 4X12 and one 3X12 This will give you three feet in between and if you can work from the aisles as well as your own space it would work.

BaileyJune 3/29/2012, 9:12 pm

Chopper - yes, there is wood all the way around the 10 x 12 bed, and it's 6"-8" off the ground. I can access the space from all sides. I will be there this weekend and will take a photo, but I think what you have suggested should work.

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the ideas!

kittykat 3/29/2012, 10:13 pm

GWN wrote:what a cool idea kitty cat, I use images for many other things, but had not thought of doing this...thanx

You're welcome! Glad I could help... You can also Google square foot gardening trellis and see what you get, too... lots of ideas...

mtowne 3/31/2012, 9:32 pm

BaileyJune wrote:Chopper - yes, there is wood all the way around the 10 x 12 bed, and it's 6"-8" off the ground. I can access the space from all sides. I will be there this weekend and will take a photo, but I think what you have suggested should work.

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the ideas!

Since you will have access from all sides, I would make a wide U-shaped plot. Assuming 2 foot reach into all areas, you would have 4-foot beds. Start with a 4x12' bed along the back, and then two 4x6' perpendiculars, with a Path in the middle 4x6'. You could even put an arbor or something similar over that center area to use the air space for trellising.

Sponsored content

Question about garden size and layout

Question about garden size and layout

Re: Question about garden size and layout

Re: Question about garden size and layout

Re: Question about garden size and layout

Re: Question about garden size and layout

Re: Question about garden size and layout

Re: Question about garden size and layout

Re: Question about garden size and layout

Re: Question about garden size and layout

Re: Question about garden size and layout


	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.