Newbie ?: when to use SFG vs. a pot?

lavamom 2010-03-27, 13:27

I am in the process of starting my first 4x4 SFG. I am new to SFG and new to gardening in general. I was planning on putting in 16 different types of vegetables and herbs. But from reading several recent posts, I have gathered that some things shouldn't be put into a square foot plot near other things, because they spread - such as mint. Is this type of information outlined anywhere? A list that could tell me what I can safely plant in a shared 4x4 grid, and what should be in a container by itself.

In case it helps, this is the list of what I had planned to put in: tomato, sugar snap peas, cucumber, eggplant, basil, mint, cilantro, bush bean, radish, swiss chard, viola, carrot, lettuce mix, lettuce mix, parsley, strawberry.

Does anyone see any problems? I guess I can't put the mint in there?

lisaphoto 2010-03-27, 14:58

My rule is if it is a perennial, I'm not going to put it in my SFG. Mint spreads, as do strawberries. It might be a good idea to have the strawberries in their own box or planter.

swripley 2010-03-27, 16:06

Lavamom,

I too am new to SFG but have a mint bed that is several years old. From my experience I must caution DO NOT put mint in you SFG. I have my bed in partial shade and unfriendly soil and it is everything I can to contain it. I can only image what would happen if it were in full sun in a bed of lovely Mel's Mix.

**timwardell** 2010-03-27, 18:51

As has already been stated, mint can be very invasive. Strawberries will also propagate quickly by sending off "runners" to create new plants within 2-5 inches of the parent plant / mother ship. I have strawberries in my SFG but I do watch them and pull up any new plants that I don't want.
As per your question regarding a LIST of what should and shouldn't be put in I'm not aware of one - although the rule of "no perennials" given above is generally a good one. Everything else on your list looks fine.

lavamom 2010-03-27, 23:11

Thank you for all the feedback! I think I will give the strawberry a try, but pinch off any runners. Per your advice, the mint will have to be separated.

Thanks again - this forum is SUCH a help.

Lavender Debs 2010-03-28, 05:46

Lava violas are also perennial. They are SO easy to keep happy in a pot. Strawberries too. Future fruit comes from the sisters (runners) so you might want to read up on controlling at least some of them instead of pinching all of them. I just pulled up all kinds of spearmint and chocolate mint. The roots and shoots are sitting in a bucket out in the rain and look quite healthy. I've just had so much going on that I have not got them into another pot yet. But it is spring break and I hope to have time for that soon.

Tim what kind of berries do you grow? My sisters will travel as far as a foot from the mother. 2 to 5 inches might make berry life easier!

Deborah ....whose mother hates mint because grandpa always planted it by the outhouse .... she doesn't hate outhouses though .... humm

**timwardell** 2010-03-28, 07:21

Lavender Debs wrote:
Tim what kind of berries do you grow? My sisters will travel as far as a foot from the mother. 2 to 5 inches might make berry life easier!

I'll have to dig up the label and get back to you. I recall planting two types but can't name them at the moment (it was a year ago). They're not running very far may be due their confinement in a 3' x 3' space.

lavamom 2010-03-28, 11:21

Tim - is your 3'x3' bed just strawberries? Or is it shared with other plants?

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Newbie ?: when to use SFG vs. a pot?

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