Sanderson's Urban SFG in Fresno, California

How much can a city person grow when they have a small lot?   I started out with 4 small beds totaling 28 square feet.  Roots from trees, bushes and roses quickly came up in the Mel's Mix despite the weed fabric.  All of the beds were modified with plywood bottoms and raised off the ground a year after I started gardening.  Pretty soon there were beds where ever they could be placed in sunshine.  I also squeezed in a composting area.  There are now 133 sq. ft. of beds tucked here and there.  Two storage totes for sweet potatoes, a 1' x 50' strip of heavily amended dirt, and several 5-gallon buckets and large pots brings the "square footage" up to 200!

This is the time of the year when all of the beds are visible.  Most of the winter crops have been removed and the bridal tulle washed and put away until October.  First photo is shot from the back covered patio, in a south-east direction. Garlic is the only crop growing in this photo.

Second photo is shot from the back patio in a straight south direction.

Third photo is shot from the back patio in a SSW direction.  In the upper right is a 2' x 4' bed that I have not been able to use for 2 years because of the neighbor's trees.  The trees have been removed and I'm excited to have these 8 sq. ft. back in use.

Fourth photo is shot in the SW corner where the 3' x 3 ' 3' compost bin, Lifetime 80-gallon tumbler composter and orange tree are located.  The plants on the lawn are spent broccoli and cauliflower plants that I removed from the bed.  I'm trying to kill the invasive light colored grass in this area.  Guess one could say they are being repurposed!

Fifth photo shows the beds and trellises along the west fence.  There are 9 trellises 2' x 7-8' for melons and winter squash.

Last photo is the amended strip of dirt back on the east side.  There are also two 1' x 3' doubled trellised beds for beans and peas.  Five of the white tomato buckets are are visible.  Those scraggly hanging planters didn't work in the hot winds.  The plastic liners broke down, the coir mats shrunk and the birds have helped themselves to the coir for building nests.  

Thanks, TD.

I will leave some baskets with secured coir mat. Must remember our feathered friends. The lawn has a micro cooling effect during the summer.

Over the last 5 years of SFG, I have lost sunshine as the south neighbor's trees grew taller and taller. Now I have sun!
Before
One down
Both down

Hummm. I was thinking the melons could go there since the cucumbers have been doing good in the bed to the left with the PVC trellis. Move the winter squash to the melon bed. Plant xx in the winter squash bed. . .

Yes, it will be hot, especially the heat after the Summer Solstice. July, August and even September are deadly. I will be adding some more sun shade, maybe only 50%. Maybe in a hop scotch pattern so the grass will live. Stay tune. . .

Thank, FGD. Five years to the month.

liam1027 wrote:Wow what a great set up. Thanks for sharing!

I ripped up a number of bushes, including rose, to make space for my new beds. I intended to put hardware mesh on the bottom as well as fabric, but now I'm rethinking that. Will that be enough or should I put 1/4" plywood?

Are you thinking that roots from nearby roses and bushes will come up underneath the beds? In that case, the only way to prevent it is a plywood bottom and elevation off the ground to create an airspace.

PNG Grandma and Camprn, Good to see you two!

It's good to hear from old friends.  I still use your monthly planting guides.  (I take it with a grain of salt for planting any "cool weather" plants.)

Cranky, it is quite a mish-mash as it was built up one box at a time. I call it the "winter uglies" at this time of the year. Come early fall, there is so much plant life that I have a hard time moving around.