First Garden 4 x 4

Rgoss 3/1/2016, 8:24 pm

Hi everyone,

First time gardener here. I want to grow just a few basics, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce/greens, summer squash, maybe some herbs. We're a household of 2 working adults and one infant, so I want to keep it simple and low maintenance. Is 4 x 4 enough space to be effective?

Any input would be appreciated.

**Kelejan** 3/1/2016, 9:03 pm

$glad you\'re here$ Rgoss happy hi

from Kelejan :canada:

Seeing as both of you work and you one little one, one box will be fine to start. When you have had a season of picking your own lettuce/greens fresh off the plant you will be hooked.

What you have to remember is that salad ingredients like lettuce and tomato never seem to be ready at the same time, not like getting them from the supermarket.

Have you done any gardening before? Enjoy your efforts whatever you get. hungry

**Scorpio Rising** 3/1/2016, 9:14 pm

Welcome, Rgoss, from Ohio! I agree, a 4x4 is a great place to start your SFGing adventure! You WILL NOT believe how much production you will get out of your 16 squares, it is amazing!

Tell us all about your journey, keep notes, and take pictures! We love pix, they are so helpful. First Garden 4 x 4 3170584802

Glad you found us!

**AtlantaMarie** 3/2/2016, 7:57 am

Hi Rgoss. Welcome from Atlanta, GA! Glad you've decided to try SFG.

We like pictures... (hint, hint)

Feel free to ask lots of questions. Also be sure to check out the archives section. There's a WHOLE lot of good info there!

Do you have a copy of the All New SFG, 2nd Edition? It's the newest version & the easiest yet...

mschaef 3/2/2016, 9:23 am

While its still cool go ahead and plant your greens, the salad mixes. And if possible start you pepper, squash, and tomatoes seeds. Or just plan on buying plants. There is nothing wrong with that. Also make sure that you don't skimp on the 5 way compost. Good luck with you garden this year First Garden 4 x 4 3170584802

**sanderson** 3/2/2016, 9:46 am

Rgoss, Welcome to the Forum from California! $glad you\'re here$ A 4' x 4' is a good way to start. If you haven't already, do read All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew.

CapeCoddess 3/2/2016, 11:17 am

Hi Rgoss!

Good to see another New Englander, especially someone with a milder climate than most.

I agree...one box is a good start. And please check the book, All New Square Foot Gardening, out of the library pronto if you don't already have it. It tells you EVERYthing, including how many boxes work best for you family size.

Also, you can read through the monthly New England threads to see what we're up to now and what we planted in previous years at this time. Most helpful.

Questions and photos are ALWAYS welcome.
What a Face

CC

landarch 3/2/2016, 1:26 pm

If you want simple and low maintenance, start with one with a trellis for sure. The squash and tomato may compete a little for trellis space...so if you wanted more of either or cucumbers as well think about going to a second bed

**Scorpio Rising** 3/2/2016, 6:37 pm

landarch wrote:If you want simple and low maintenance, start with one with a trellis for sure. The squash and tomato may compete a little for trellis space...so if you wanted more of either or cucumbers as well think about going to a second bed

Landarch is right. Put a trellis on the north end of your bed, will get you more bang for your buck. I grow pole beans on my trellis, and planning on cukes and a couple melons this year.

reynajrainwater 3/2/2016, 11:40 pm

Hello Rgoss. I started with 1 box and 3 weeks later ordered a second. Wink

**Kelejan** 3/3/2016, 12:10 am

reynajrainwater wrote:Hello Rgoss. I started with 1 box and 3 weeks later ordered a second.

It can become an obsession.

**trolleydriver** 3/3/2016, 8:27 am

I was a two box starter.

Here is what I did my first year ...
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t19481-a-first-time-sfg-in-canada

herblover 3/3/2016, 9:41 am

I echo all the advice you have been given; especially to start small with what you know you like to eat. Your regional forum should have more specific info on varieties that grow particularly well in your climate. Also, if you have space and time; try one new thing you think you would like. I try every year to find one new thing to try; even if its just a different variety of something.

**Scorpio Rising** 3/3/2016, 6:56 pm

If you guys like sugar snaps or just peas, lots of things like those, radishes, spinach and lettuce can go out early!

Is your bed built?

Rgoss 3/3/2016, 8:49 pm

Thank you everyone! It's all a little overwhelming. I plan on getting my hands on the book this weekend. I must admit, I'll probably short cut a lot this first year. I'll be purchasing a box and many of the plants this time. I'm sure I"ll have more questions after I get a look at some info. I'm at the "I don't even know what I don't know" stage.

reynajrainwater 3/3/2016, 8:59 pm

[/url
[url=https://servimg.com/view/19339662/12] First Garden 4 x 4 Image16

[/url]

**Scorpio Rising** 3/3/2016, 9:27 pm

You will find your way! I also am looking forward to seeing your journey, Rg! Honestly, you will learn soooo much for your first year, just KEEP NoTEs! I did that but needed to be more attentive to that.....

First Garden 4 x 4 3170584802

**AtlantaMarie** 3/4/2016, 8:18 am

reynajrainwater, that looks SO nice!

Rgoss, just relax & take a deep breath. It'll be fine! Plants are very resilient... And we'll help you along the way.

Sponsored content

First Garden 4 x 4

First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4

Re: First Garden 4 x 4


	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.