3' box vs 4' box?

MikeN 4/13/2010, 6:15 pm

I've got an area adjacent to our back patio (the side) that I'm thinking of doing a staggered (raised) SFG (newbie here!). The patio on that side is 15' long, so I'm thinking about 3 4'x4' boxes, and 1 3'x4' box.

Anyone see any issues with this? Nothing I can think of, but that's why I'm asking here Laughing

Also... if the area gets sun most of the day, is that considered a problem?

Wyldflower 4/13/2010, 6:24 pm

There's nothing that says you shouldn't have a 3'x4' box... just no more than a 4' width - length can be whatever you're comfortable with...

I'll defer to the Texans on the forums on whether there's 'too much sun' ...

Retired Member 1 4/13/2010, 7:07 pm

Welcome! My beds are all different sizes depending on the free lumber I could scrounge, so use whatever size works for you, keeping in mind the need to reach all areas of the bed.

I'm west of you about 150 miles. Full sun is great for summer veggies. If you are trying to grow cool weather ones, either use a shade cloth or plant a fall garden. Lettuce bolts like crazy as soon as the temps get above 75 regularly and are in sun. I can get another month by either planting them in dappled shade or using shade cloth.

Please hang around and keep us posted on your progress.

**timwardell** 4/13/2010, 11:09 pm

Hey Mike,
Nothing wrong with a 3'x4' box. I have two raised beds. One is 2' x 15' and the other is 3' x 24'. The main thing is to keep the width under 4' otherwise you'll have problems getting to your inside squares. My garden is in FULL sun all day - not a tree in sight - and does just fine (even in the Texas heat). Depending on the beds East/West and/or North/South orientation, you may be able to "shade" lettuce and spinach behind tomato plants or other taller veggies. This helps them to hold out a bit longer.

Hope you can make it by this Saturday. Would love to meet some other local SFG'ers. ... Good luck with your garden.

MikeN 4/14/2010, 1:08 am

Thanks for the info all. thanks

quiltbea 4/18/2010, 11:56 am

Your 3 by 4 should be fine.

As I get older, I wish now that I'd made all my boxes only 3' wide and either 3' x 4' or 3' by 6' long. Bending over to the middle isn't fun these days, even with only 4' square boxes and being able to reach from any side.

You learn as you go.

robbinscabin 4/19/2010, 5:51 pm

I have three boxes that are only 2 foot wide. The legnths vary between 12-20 feet. I ran them down my fence line so the beans could vine along the fence. I think you'll be just as happy with the smaller box. 3' box vs 4' box? Icon_biggrin

Good luck.

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