Will 3x3 work?

kamavaden 5/4/2011, 3:17 pm

I'm just starting and haven't been able to find anything to answer my question. (It was probably on the page/topic right after I stopped looking.) Very Happy

I only have about a 3x15 area to plant before running into walkways or shade - can this system work with a 3x3 grid or does it absolutely be 4x4? One of the big rules was a 4x4 grid and don't want to set myself up for failure.

Before my mom told me about SFG, I was planning one long box. I was going to do 3x3 until I read about the 4x4. Should this be divided or will one 3x15 box divided into 1 ft squares still work?

Thank you in advance! Very Happy

elliephant 5/4/2011, 3:24 pm

As long as you can walk all the way around it, 3 ft wide is fine! (Mel says no more than 2 ft wide if it's up against a fence or something) 4x4 is definitely not one of the essential elements of SFG.

The only thing to be a bit concerned about is if it will be a pain to walk around a really long bed (I think Mel says 12 feet is a good max length?), but you'll have to judge for yourself how big a factor that would be for you.

nancy 5/4/2011, 3:31 pm

My 7-year-old daughter has 2 3x3s and they work just fine. The point is to be able to reach comfortably into each square. 3x15 should be fine. Do what is comfortable for you.

Happy Gardening!

kamavaden 5/4/2011, 3:37 pm

Thank you for the super fast replies! With all the walking I do, 15 ft is no problem! I'll be able to walk all around it - the patio will be on one side and grass on the other three, all level.

Thank you again!

BackyardBirdGardner 5/4/2011, 3:39 pm

Echo what the others are saying. I have a 4x12 and it's fine to walk around.

My thing was...if I need 3 foot aisles, isn't that wasting a bunch of space that SFG is supposed to be maximizing?? So, I just put my three 4x4's together and made a 4x12 instead.....even less space taken from the yard.

But, it's your plot. Do what you want. The only three areas you will see us really hone in on are 1- Mel's Mix, 2- raised beds, 3- grids. Other than that, the system is pretty open for debating in my experience.

Happy Gardening!

**Furbalsmom** 5/4/2011, 4:31 pm

kamavaden wrote:Thank you for the super fast replies! With all the walking I do, 15 ft is no problem! I'll be able to walk all around it - the patio will be on one side and grass on the other three, all level.

Thank you again!

kamavaden

How great to see another Oregon gardener.

I noticed you suggested that the 3 X 15 would be up against your patio, my only question is will you be able to access the bed from the patio?

The concern is if you can only access from the yard and sides, reaching in 3 feet can be a bear. Everyone thinks they can do it, but it is truly uncomfortable, even if your arms are long. Will 3x3 work? 217255

I hope you find the perfect configuration for you! By the way, did you notice that in other countries they use square meter gardening, which is effectivly 3 X 3.

Please keep us updated on your progress. We also hope you will share pictures, cause we love them.

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