Square Foot Gardeners helping Square Foot Gardeners. The beginning of a forum.

[WardinWake]

Theresa's Story:

I first met Mel Bartholomew in 2007 when he was the speaker at the Midwestern Herb and Garden Show, one of the largest garden events in our region. At that time Mel was putting together information from Square Foot Gardeners from around the world and at his request I sent him photos and information on my son Josh's Square Foot Garden. The photos and Josh's story were placed on the original web site, and that information is still available on the new site under "what is Square Foot Gardening" by clicking on the "Original" Showcase of Gardens. Because of the photos and information that was published Josh would receive many e-mails from other SFGers asking questions and wanting to share their information about their gardens.

At that time I had been the owner/manager of a MSN garden forum for over 10 years and I wrote Mel and told him of the many e-mails Josh would receive and suggested we start a SFG forum where SFGers could get together from around the world and help each other, share our experiences and show off our gardens. Mel loved the idea and accepted my offer to help. Alan was tasked to develop the forum and we have him to thank as he made the forum happen. Many others have put in many hours of volunteer time to make this forum what it is today, a place where Square Foot Gardeners help other Square Foot Gardeners and spread the word to all the world.

Josh's Story:

I first met Mel Bartholomew in 2007 when I was 12 years old and attending his class. After the class Mel personally taught me how to plant using his ZIP, ZAP, BING, BING, BING method, and that’s something I’ve never forgotten!

My family started using Mel’s SFG method and we really enjoyed it; we had some great family time together and had “special” meals using what we had grown from our gardens. We had enough produce from four 4'X4'X6" deep square foot gardens not only for our family but also enough to share with friends. SFGing was so easy, and everything grew so good, it made me look like a pro at gardening. I enjoyed growing different crops in my SFG, I grew flowers, vegetables and fruits.

For my 8th grade graduation, I asked for the SFG correspondence course so I could become a certified Square Foot Garden Teacher. I took the same test as everyone else and sent Mel a video of me giving a SFG class. Mel said I passed and on September 2009, I became one of Mel’s youngest Certified Square Foot Garden Teachers.

In February 2010 I had the honor of assisting Mel give a SFG class and I will be giving my first class on April 1st. I have plans to spread the word about SFGing to people of all ages. And for all those who are new at SFGing:

IF I CAN DO IT…..YOU CAN DO IT!

Josh

Josh is now 15 years old and taught his first full class on April 1, 2010. The class was organized by a man who saw him teach with Mel at this year's Midwestern Herb and Garden Show.