OhioGardener SFG

OhioGardener Sun Sep 16, 2018 6:56 pm

This is the home of the future OhioGardener Square Foot Gardens. This 30'x30' piece of ground was our original in-ground garden, which hasn't been used for a couple years because it stays too wet. I mowed it close to the ground, placed cardboard over the entire area to smother the grass and weeds, and then covered it with 8" of free wood chips from the local tree trimming guy. The next month or so I will be getting 2 or 3 more 4'x10 raised beds to put on top of the chips and get filled to be ready for next spring's planting. These beds initially will be planted with squash & cucumbers.

Like I need more garden beds? lol!

crop rotation - OhioGardener SFG Nw_gar10

**Scorpio Rising** Sun Sep 16, 2018 8:05 pm

Love it!

crop rotation - OhioGardener SFG 3170584802

**trolleydriver** Sun Sep 16, 2018 8:16 pm

Scorpio Rising wrote:Love it!

+1

**sanderson** Sun Sep 16, 2018 9:08 pm

I can only dream. I whipped out my pen and the back of an envelope and came up with 200 sq ft of beds with 3' or 4' isles plus a 3' walk-around perimeter. Four beds of 4'x10' and 4 beds of 3' x 10. Using the entire 30' x 30' just for beds and isles, I came up with 384 Sq ft!! Three (3) beds of 4'x8' and 12 beds 3'x8'. Definitely room for a good sized compost area. bounce

DorothyG Sun Sep 16, 2018 9:43 pm

Looking good there OG! Before you know it you won't even have to mow. Wink

**Scorpio Rising** Sun Sep 16, 2018 9:48 pm

OhioGardener Mon Sep 17, 2018 9:09 am

When you put it that way, Sanderson, it sounds like a I'm setting myself up for a lot of work! Very Happy

I'm just going to add a couple beds at a time as I can afford it, and my back can take it. Looking forward to the new gardens next summer, though.

crop rotation - OhioGardener SFG A_good10

bluelacedredhead Mon Sep 17, 2018 10:24 am

Good luck with your new SFG, OhioGardener.

I too am in the process of changing some soil based raised beds over to SFG. I read one of Mel's books, then came here to learn more. Looking forward to Gardening SFG 2019!

OhioGardener Mon Sep 17, 2018 10:46 am

bluelacedredhead wrote:Good luck with your new SFG, OhioGardener.

I too am in the process of changing some soil based raised beds over to SFG. I read one of Mel's books, then came here to learn more. Looking forward to Gardening SFG 2019!

Thanks! If you get the chance, read this book over the winter on improving the soil in your gardens. It has a wealth of knowledge about building the soil food web.

crop rotation - OhioGardener SFG Teamin10

bluelacedredhead Mon Sep 17, 2018 11:04 am

Thanks. That's one I haven't read. Library system has a copy available so I've ordered it.

has55 Mon Sep 17, 2018 9:13 pm

I made a decision to order those beds and move away from cedar blocks. Love the blocks, but eating up my hose when doing compost tea or watering. I will cover those edges with black pipe tubing in the future. I like the idea of something that will last decades and not tear up the garden hose.

OhioGardener Mon Sep 17, 2018 9:26 pm

has55 wrote:I made a decision to order those beds and move away from cedar blocks. Love the blocks, but eating up my hose when doing compost tea or watering. I will cover those edges with black pipe tubing in the future. I like the idea of something that will last decades and not tear up the garden hose.

The top edges of the metal on the beds is folded over so it is smooth, without any sharp edges. That was one of my considerations when I bought them.

has55 Mon Sep 17, 2018 9:29 pm

OhioGardener wrote:
has55 wrote:I made a decision to order those beds and move away from cedar blocks. Love the blocks, but eating up my hose when doing compost tea or watering. I will cover those edges with black pipe tubing in the future. I like the idea of something that will last decades and not tear up the garden hose.

The top edges of the metal on the beds is folded over so it is smooth, without any sharp edges. That was one of my considerations when I bought them.

me 2

**sanderson** Tue Sep 18, 2018 1:57 am

bluelacedredhead wrote:Thanks. That's one I haven't read. Library system has a copy available so I've ordered it.

OhioGardener Tue Oct 02, 2018 5:36 pm

The new beds arrived, are assembled and in place. Waiting on a delivery of wood chips to fill the first 12" of the beds, and then will top with MM soil. Plan is to get them filled and plant a Winter Rye and Crimson Clover cover crop so that they will be ready for next year's spring planting.

crop rotation - OhioGardener SFG New_be10

crop rotation - OhioGardener SFG New_be11

**Scorpio Rising** Tue Oct 02, 2018 6:37 pm

Nice! Keep us posted!

**sanderson** Thu Oct 04, 2018 3:45 am

Nice! Yes, keep us posted.

SQWIB Thu Oct 04, 2018 7:07 am

Looking great

has55 Thu Oct 04, 2018 7:57 am

Looks great. Those beds look like it's 2-3 ft tall. Is that correct?

OhioGardener Thu Oct 04, 2018 12:45 pm

has55 wrote:Looks great. Those beds look like it's 2-3 ft tall. Is that correct?

They are 1½’ tall.

has55 Thu Oct 04, 2018 3:35 pm

thank you.

OhioGardener Sat Oct 06, 2018 7:23 pm

The new beds are filled and sowed with a cover crop of Crimson Clover and Winter Rye. Glad they had the coir blocks and coarse Vermiculite on sale last week - took 16 cu ft of each. And, it used all of the compost I had built up. But, the bed will be resting now until next spring when they are ready for planting.

crop rotation - OhioGardener SFG New_ra10

**sanderson** Sun Oct 07, 2018 3:43 am

OhioGardener Sun Oct 28, 2018 4:17 pm

The winter cover crop is coming along nicely on the new raised beds. Sowed a mixture of Winter Rye (Cereal Rye) and Crimson Clover, and it appears that every seed germinated. These beds should be in great condition for planting next spring.

crop rotation - OhioGardener SFG Raised13

crop rotation - OhioGardener SFG Raised15

crop rotation - OhioGardener SFG Raised14

The Winter Rye with Crimson Clover under it

crop rotation - OhioGardener SFG Cover_10

Closeup of the Winter Rye and Crimson Clover plants

crop rotation - OhioGardener SFG Cover_11

**sanderson** Mon Oct 29, 2018 12:14 am

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