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Re: New to SQFT Gardening

Tory,

Welcome to square foot gardening, I'll have a go at your questions.

1.  Because my gardening space in long, rather than square...so I have one
3 foot by 6 foot plot and one 5 foot by 6 foot plot. This should not pose a
problem, should it?

The Idea of using 4 X 4 blocks is so you can reach into all parts of your
growing space with out stepping on the soil.  A 3 X 6 block is fine, but
unless you've got very long arms, a 5 X 6 block may be too big.  Can you
reach those center squares with out stepping on the soil?   Consider a 4 X 6
block.

2.  Behind my plots I've created is actually 1 1/2 feet of space that I was
planning on putting pole beans in...does this sound like it might enough
room?

Depends, how much harvest do you want, but growing vertically produces a huge
crop and doesn't take up much space.  Remember, sq ft gardening is compact
and limits harvest by design so you don't have too much.  I think you will be
fine here.

3.  I want SO badly to grow squash, not only for me but for my pet iguana
who eats winter, orange fleshed squash. However,  I just don't feel I have
the space. Any ideas? One I had was to put them in the front yard and train
them along the front walk. But there is a concern there, living on a busy
street, that they might get stolen.

Here again, grow them vertically.  Try cucumbers, tomatoes and cantaloupe
too.

4.  Same question for corn. Did I read on the SQFT page that Mel is saying
you can put four corn plants per plot? Is that per 4x4 plot, or 1x1 plot?

In my opinion, planting corn in a sqft garden is a waste of time.  The corn
takes up considerable space for the amount of harvest you get.  You need to
plant enough so cross pollination takes place.  If you just plant a square of
corn, I expect you will be disappointed.  But if you want corn, plant it.
 Corn is a large plant and planted at12" spacing so you get 1 to a square
foot.

5.  Has anyone used floating row covers on their plots? I'm hoping they
will speed up germination, and more importantly keep the cats from messing
my plot of carrots.

Not specifically, but some times I'll put clear plastic on a 4 X 4 bed to
heat up the soil, I use 4 X 4 and 4 X 8 blocks made out of 2 X 10 inch
pressure treated lumber.  (I've been flamed enough).  You can make a cover
out of chicken wire that will keep the cat, rabbits, birds and the neighbor
kid's ball out of your garden.

You'll find once you get started, the sqft garden is easily managed.
 Remember add lots of compost and 5 -10 -5.  Truth is you can get a 2lb box
of 5-10-5 for about $2.50 or a 40 lb bag of 10-10-10 for about $5.00.  I've
been using the 10-10-10 with great results.

Happy gardening

Ed in SW Illinois
Who is surrounded by corn fields.

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