Putting in grids

kristinz 5/5/2012, 6:59 am

Hi and happy Saturday everyone!

We are in the process of building our boxes. We are planning to build 4x8 boxes. In the ANSQG book, Mel says to put in sturdy grids. study

I also have been admiring everyone's pictures. I've noticed not many grids in 4x8 boxes, or, the grids are made out of some type of twine or string. I'm concerned about using wood for the 8 foot length because of lack of support through the middle - is having it rest on the MM enough for the support? Since we are so new, I think going without grids would be a bad idea for us.

Thank you everyone in advance for any help you can give!

**llama momma** 5/5/2012, 7:10 am

I use cedar shims pushed in on the skinny side because it is super easy and no tools needed. Close up photo is on the strawberry box.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/gallery/Personal-album-of-llama-momma-cat_u2275.htm

**camprn** 5/5/2012, 7:20 am

I use string because it is flexible and I can move it aside if I need to, for cultivating the soil or what ever. The main purpose of the grid is a guide for planting.The rigid grid looks very spiffy but really, once the plants are getting large you wont see the grid you see the plants Very Happy

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floyd1440 5/5/2012, 7:22 am

kristinz wrote:Hi and happy Saturday everyone!

We are in the process of building our boxes. We are planning to build 4x8 boxes. In the ANSQG book, Mel says to put in sturdy grids. I also have been admiring everyone's pictures. I've noticed not many grids in 4x8 boxes, or, the grids are made out of some type of twine or string. I'm concerned about using wood for the 8 foot length because of lack of support through the middle - is having it rest on the MM enough for the support? Since we are so new, I think going without grids would be a bad idea for us.

Thank you everyone in advance for any help you can give!

I know I have seen many posts about using different strings, bit I used wood. It is a 4x8 but the principle is the same as a 4x4.

Putting in grids Dsc_1235

floyd1440 5/5/2012, 7:28 am

camprn wrote:I use string because it is flexible and I can move it aside if I need to, for cultivating the soil or what ever. The main purpose of the grid is a guide for planting.The rigid grid looks very spiffy but really, once the plants are getting large you wont see the grid you see the plants .

The problem with Mel's grid in his book is that once you install them, you will have a hard time removing them. I have mine secure with screws but can remove them easily if I want to get in to recultivate as well.

You cannot see the string once the plants are grow either, so why do some fuss about fancy colors?

Putting in grids 3170584802

**camprn** 5/5/2012, 7:31 am

floyd1440 wrote:
camprn wrote:I use string because it is flexible and I can move it aside if I need to, for cultivating the soil or what ever. The main purpose of the grid is a guide for planting.The rigid grid looks very spiffy but really, once the plants are getting large you wont see the grid you see the plants .

The problem with Mel's grid in his book is that once you install them, you will have a hard time removing them. I have mine secure with screws but can remove them easily if I want to get in to recultivate as well.

You cannot see the string once the plants are grow either, so why do some fuss about fancy colors?

COlors? I don't know, I would guess for some folk who may have trouble with their vision a bright color is easier to see. Or maybe they think it's pretty? Personal preference I guess. Very Happy

hruten 5/5/2012, 7:39 am

I have one of those fancy colors... Neon pink to be exact.

However, I didn't buy it for the grid. I bought it as construction line. Trust me pink is a lot easier to see when you are trying to make a straight line on green grass! flower

When I started SFG I used what I already had on hand. Just like the box I just made from a pallet and leftover wood.

**rowena___.** 5/5/2012, 10:52 am

llama momma wrote:I use cedar shims pushed in on the skinny side because it is super easy and no tools needed. Close up photo is on the strawberry box.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/gallery/Personal-album-of-llama-momma-cat_u2275.htm

this is FABULOUS. thank you for posting about it! it solves a problem i'm having with a public garden. Smile

**llama momma** 5/5/2012, 12:09 pm

rowena___. wrote:
llama momma wrote:I use cedar shims pushed in on the skinny side because it is super easy and no tools needed. Close up photo is on the strawberry box.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/gallery/Personal-album-of-llama-momma-cat_u2275.htm

this is FABULOUS. thank you for posting about it! it solves a problem i'm having with a public garden.

You're welcome Rowena, it was one of those a Ah-ha moments when I saw a bundle of them in HD. Glad you like the shim grid.

**sfg4uKim** 5/5/2012, 1:03 pm

kristinz wrote: I've noticed not many grids in 4x8 boxes, or, the grids are made out of some type of twine or string. I'm concerned about using wood for the 8 foot length because of lack of support through the middle - is having it rest on the MM enough for the support?

You can always just put in two 4x4 grids and put in an additional 4' section where they meet. I've got a 2' x 23" bed and I have three separate grids along the length (two 8' lengths and one 7'). I use screen molding, but it CAN snap easily if you keep picking them up & putting them down. Yes, the MM is enough support.

kristinz 5/5/2012, 6:35 pm

Thanks to everyone who has posted! I will be sharing this information with the hubby!

plantoid 5/6/2012, 4:45 am

Offering my tu'pence worth..

Why not use grass whip /strimmer line it comes in 50 or 100 yeard lengths & colours and is very tough and long lasting , plus it wraps up to store in a tiny space .

Instead of putting nails or screws on the lip of your beds , put pegs or lengths of cane etc inside the boxes at the required distances and loop or wrap the line around them .

The pictures show a night shot of a trial bed , the orange line is also going across the picture along side a black 1/8 inch thick neoprene beading , the pegs are 8 inches or so long as my beds are very deep .

If I need to remove a square it's easy peasy to either pull the line out or wind it round a peg.

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