Getting Started

rpugh 6/17/2024, 11:54 pm

Hello my name is Richard. I'm a 4th grade teacher and would like to use square foot gardening to teach math, science, reading, writing, social studies and health. I'm new to SFQ. What's the least expensive way to get started e.g.buying garden boxes and Mel's mix etc?

**Scorpio Rising** 6/18/2024, 8:53 am

Hi Richard! I think starting out at the local library and getting a copy of Mel Bartholomew’s book, All New Square Foot Gardening 2nd edition would be a great start.

I would start small, and go with a 4x4 to begin. Where are you—ish? The fall is a great time to start certain veggies. Radishes, lettuces, bush beans all are good crops. I would also reach out to your Ag education in the area. Here, that is our extension agency. They may have some resources. Master Gardeners may also be a wonderful resource.

What a great way to teach kids to feed themselves, others, and potentially, the world!

**Turan** 6/18/2024, 12:58 pm

My son did this in his class room. He was in Artic so growing indoors and lights were the biggest issue. He bought 6" deep grow trays, used 'Life of the Sea' potting mix. Another class did a compost bin. The kids wanted to worm farm and he set that as a reach goal.
Each kid had their own tray to be responsible for. Over watering was an issue. He recommends using 4" square pots within the trays. This adds to the teaching of fractions, division, and lessens spills. Beans and greens were their biggest success. They also tried to do a 3 sisters garden using buckets, but those plants do not like the Artic in the winter no matter how hard you try.

Good luck.

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