Square Foot Gardening

Originally posted 2017-03-26 19:27:34.

This is one of the best beginner’s gardening books in the world, in my humble opinion.  Mel Bartholomew’s Square Foot Gardening is a classic resource for aspiring and veteran gardeners alike.  So much so that Mel and his square foot gardening method were featured on national PBS in a series in the 1980’s (here’s a clip of a younger Mel in the 80’s on the show!)

The square foot gardening method prescribes planting crops in 1’x1′ squares, with the type of crop determining how many seeds to plant in each square.  This approach provides many different advantages over the traditional “row” planting method that seems to be the classic way gardeners plant.  The square foot gardening method allows for greater yields with less watering, less thinning, and a better crop rotation where complimentary crops are planted together to increase each other’s ability to provide food.  Square foot gardening also provides plenty of advice on how to get started, what kind of tools you’ll need, and information on watering, transplanting, controlling weeds, and extending your season.  There’s also lots of great knowledge on timing your plantings to get the most continous and successful harvest possible.

 

I actually picked this book up in a Goodwill for very cheap. But I think I have the original version of the book, which was published in 1981.  There is a newer re-issue version that I would probably recommend over the original, as the re-issue contains newer information and improved methodology.   Overall, if you’re new to growing food and not sure where to begin, I would highly recommend picking up Square foot Gardening.  You can visit Mel’s personal site here.