Garden layout video for 4' x 4' beds

**sanderson** 10/4/2022, 3:14 pm

OhioGardener posted this simple planting video for beginners. I like it because it goes from row to row and square to square, explaining why a plant goes where. Other suggestions can be found on pages 53-55 of the 3rd Edition of ALL NEW Square Foot Gardening book.

Keep in mind that it may not be appropriate to plant both summer and winter crops at the same time in all gardening Zones or latitude. In southern latitudes, there are usually 2 distinct seasons, summer and winter. In the SE Gulf coastal areas, summer may be a limited growing season (sweet potatoes, cowpeas and okra) and early fall becomes the new "summer".

**sanderson** 10/4/2022, 11:52 pm

A SFG gardener pointed out to me that companion planting is a big part of the video.

In SFG, companion planting is not that important. In fact, companion planting has very, very little scientific testing to see if the many claims are merely anecdotal or repeatable scientific fact.

Soose 10/12/2022, 8:00 pm

But it was so enticing to me -- a plan I could follow. Logic behind it. Waahhh...

**sanderson** 10/13/2022, 2:13 pm

It was enticing which is why I made this separate thread. But, it does not work for every region or zone, pest or disease control, or purpose of harvests. Even the planting examples in the 3rd Edition of ANSFG on pages 23, 53 and #3 on 54 will not work for everyone. At the SFG Foundation level, we are looking at the 3rd Edition for improvements and corrections in the next edition.

Soose 10/13/2022, 5:44 pm

I need a plan that shows not only the original placement, but successive plantings through three seasons at least. For multi beds. I just can't get my head around it.

OhioGardener 10/13/2022, 5:57 pm

Soose wrote:I need a plan that shows not only the original placement, but successive plantings through three seasons at least.

I can't imagine me trying to follow such a plan. My method of successive planting is that if there are plants that need to come out, or if there is an open space, I find what seeds I have that will mature in the number of days left in the growing season, and plant them. When the cucumber plants started dying on the arbor, I found some pole bean seeds that could fill the space. When I pulled the carrots, I found some spinach seeds that would not only grow but are frost hardy. When I took out the Zucchini plants, there was room to install the cold frame and plant some leaf lettuce, Baby Bok Choy, and Napa Cabbage. None of those were planned, and whatever goes in those places next won't be planned either.

**sanderson** 10/13/2022, 7:01 pm

My first year I kept a daily journal, noting every single thing the garden did or didn't do. That first winter I read the journal. Second year only a few entries because failures get really imbedded in the brain! Razz

I did journal every compost pile I made, though. Ingredients and # of buckets. The temps, watering, opening up to dry a bit, turning, etc.

Each spring and fall, I print out my Excel sheet and make planting notes right on it. This fall sheet shows sowing and re-sowing when there were germination failures. The binder clip holds together several years of info.

Succession planting comes naturally. Do what OG does. Period. When a plant comes out, think what has time to grow in that square. Maybe there's nothing. Oh, well.

This is my winter one for 22-23. I know what is in every square and if I had to re-sow it.

3 - Garden layout video for 4' x 4' beds Plot_p18

Soose 10/14/2022, 12:59 pm

I did start trying to keep a good journal but then lost my way. And keeping track of harvest by square or even bed... others here jarvest, I don't know what comes from where.

My mind gets befuddled with the garden. I am suspecting PTSD from years of failure. There's not another easy explanation, so I'm calling it that. I need retraining like the way the dog whisperer retrains from trauma. Lol. Learn by doing and replace thoughts with new habits!

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Garden layout video for 4' x 4' beds

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