Hello from Central AZ

I plan to put in (4) 4' x 8' raised beds for our new vegetable garden. 4 beds to allow for a 4-year crop rotation along with the capacity to raise the quantity and variety of vegetables we want. I am not sure the "square foot" approach will work for us; that is what I hope to sort out.

We live about 10 miles north of Prescott, AZ at 5000 ft.  The usual growing season is a bit short depending on ground temperature. And the annual rainfall is low, so irrigation is a must.

Welcome, Thunderdawg!  That is a lot of square footage!  Have you read the All New Square Foot Garden 2nd Ed.?  It is really the greatest info source for this type of gardening.  

What makes you unsure about the SFG method working for you?  

Tell us a little bit about you!  Have you ever gardenend?  What do you like to eat?  

Thunderdawg, Welcome to the SFG Forum from Fresno, CA! Please let me reassure you that All New Square Foot Gardening will work in Prescott. I'm guessing it is close to being a high desert area, chilly at night, warm in the summer days. A touch of Snow and a summer monsoon. You actually have 50% more annual rainfall than I do, but yours is in the summer.

First, have you read the book All New Square Foot Gardening by creator and founder Mel Bartholomew? No dirt or fertilizer required. By nature, water-conserving compared to row gardening. The Mel's mix formula provides all of a plant's needs in only 6". Well, long carrots, parsnips, and a small handful of other veggies need a little extra depth.

Are you an experienced or novice gardener? What veggies do you want to grow? Do you want to put up some of the crops by blanching/freezing, canning, or dehydrating? You mentioned four beds 4' x 8' for crop rotation. Crop rotation is always good but it is not as critical with SFG. Because of the shorter growing season, I am thinking that eight beds of 4' x 4' may work better, or at least 2 of the long beds broken down into 4 square beds. That will make it easier to provide protection of beds from freeze, downpours and and the dreaded white cabbage butterfly. Frames are easy to make with 1/2" PVC pipes and fittings, covered with 4 mil plastic sheeting or bridal tulle (see butterfly above). Smaller beds are easier to fit with Mel's trellises. You can move them to different beds if you want to rotate.

If you are experienced gardening in the Prescott area, great. If not, contact your country Ag Commissioner for varieties that grow well in your area and recommended average planting dates.

I like to visit my local farmer's market to get ideas of what varieties will grow. I see there is one in your area:

Prescott Valley Winter Market: 10am-1pm
Nov 14, 2017 - Mar 27, 2018 · Harkins Prescott Valley Theatres · Prescott Valley, Arizona
Wellness · 180 people

You have such a neat user name. We usually end up calling each other by nicknames. I'm thinking Dawg, Thunder or T Dawg.??

Hi Thunderdawg. Let me chime in with a warm welcome from Atlanta, GA!

We like photos.... :-) And you might want to check out Brainchasm's posts in the archives. He's also in AZ, I believe.

Well, we can't call you TD. Already got one of those, lol!

Looking forward to hearing about your garden!