Howdy from Custer, WA!

Hello everyone...

Just a quick stop by and introduce myself. My name is Tammi, and I'm doing my first SFG this year. I've known about SFG for a long time, and finally getting around to putting one in. Interesting thing, however, is that it's going to be a SFG for 3 households... A bit crazy... anyhow, I was hoping if anyone had a few minutes, before I finalize my plans, is to get an opinion from folks who are more experienced. My initial plan is 12 3x3 boxes, with 2 4x6 boxes just for corn. The 3x3 boxes will be in my south facing backyard. Here's kind of my plan.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AkkVUgWzHYV7dFB3YmpNMzc3cTRkQ1F4VHZfeEJDZGc&hl=en&authkey=CJj0rvUK

I'd love some input if anyone has any time.

Welcome CusterMom, glad to have you join us.

SFG for three families? That is quite a job.

Have you had a chance to read Mel Bartolomew's ALL NEW SQUARE FOOT GARDENING? He has provided a lot of information on spacing and placement for your plants.

I would suggest that you make you pathways 3 feet wide instead of 2 ft. Especially with this many boxes, you want to be able to access all sides without stepping on your crops and any vines that may wander out into the path.

I was able to access your diagram, but did have trouble seeing exactly what would be placed in each square/bed. It may be me, because I am a bit computer challenged.

I really would like to see the details of your plan. I'm sure it is a great one.

Welcome!

Depending on how many trellised plants you want, you might decide to mix the plantings in each box saving the North squares of each box for your vining plants. I found that with all the tomatos, pole beans, cukes, cantaloupe that I want, I ran out of north trellis area and am going to try a west one with kale and collards in the created shade.

Good luck and keep us informed in posts and pictures about your progress.


I just noticed the little tabs on the bottom that brings up a detailed plan of each box.

Kay

WOW! What an undertaking for your first year. Welcome aboard, Tammi, we are here to help make it a success.

If you have any questions, which I suppose you may, don't hesitate to ask. We typically climb over each other like puppies to help out. Pictures are worth mor than 1000 words, too, when it comes to either asking questions or bragging about what you've accomplished.

When you get the time, familiarize yourself with the regional forums, too. You can often find people in there having similar problems/successes at the same time you are.

Hope to see you around soon.

Thanks Walshevak for letting me know how silly I am. I would never have found those tabs.

Now I can really see how Tammi in Custer is planning her garden.

Furbalsmom wrote:Thanks Walshevak for letting me know how silly I am. I would never have found those tabs.

Now I can really see how Tammi in Custer is planning her garden.

Not silly at all. I found them when my cursor hit one by mistake.

Thank you for the suggestion of spreading out the climbers over multiple boxes on the north side... Somehow that just seems to make much more sense. I did pick up the newer guide to sfg, which is why I decided to hop on the forum and try to get more ideas. The whole putting all of one kind of plant in one box alone as a no-no is what was getting to me, and figured I would ask all of you. I guess with trying to grow food for 3 families, that putting all the lettuce together etc. made the most sense to. I'll modify my spreadsheet and let me know what you think. Also, you will see no tomatoes, and it's because I'm doing all the tomatoes in Topsy Turveys.... They were a huge success last year, and the only person I know up here who, without having a greenhouse, didn't lose theirs to blight. I had probably 6 or 7 plants, from little millions to grapes, and got close to 500 tomatoes off of them. My 3 year old loved them. Anyhow, I'll work on my idea, and then repost the link. The tabs at the bottom is each box individually, with the spacing worked out.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AkkVUgWzHYV7dFB3YmpNMzc3cTRkQ1F4VHZfeEJDZGc&hl=en&authkey=CJj0rvUK

I've updated it... Now I'm off to find the regional forums!

Thank you!

You have a somewhat unique plan, that is, feeding three families. The idea behind SFG is to have a continuous source of vegetables over an extended period of time, so you don't have to harvest and deal with a larger supply of a single vegetable than the family can use at a time. Think: successive planting to stagger maturity. Even so, a 4 X 12 raised bed, all planted in lettuce, could leave you having to harvest and eat lettuce breakfast, lunch and dinner until you are or the box is played out. Run a poll amongst those eating from the boxes you plan: what do they like best; how much do they anticipate using at a single meal; are they vegans/vegetarians or carnivores (necessitating more or less vegetables per meal); are y'all planning on doing some canning and/or freezing of produce? This should help you decide quantities and whether they must be planted all at once, or staggered. Keep us up to date on what you learn. Great enterprise, I'm thinking.