Square Foot Gardening (SFG) is a great way to convert that boring suburbia grass lawn into a sustainable produce isle. Don’t have a lawn? That’s cool- SFG can be done practically anywhere. Mel was kind enough to send me this DVD which gives a quick intro into SFG. This method is great for the absolute beginner who might be a little overwhelmed by starting that first organic garden. For more information, including including Mel’s popular book & instructional DVDs, check out: www.squarefootgardening.com
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25 Responses to Mel Bartholomew – Introducing Square Foot Gardening
@200xowner Ive gardened for quite some time now. My grandparents, parents and now myself and my children have gardens… to date Ive not had any superpower tell me i couldnt have a garden.
I have my first one going right now. In Southeast texas we have about 3 growing seasons depending on what you plant. Dad always raised two gardens and left nov – jan vacant. We had a huge garden growing up.. row gardens over 2 acres. I have so enjoyed my little garden so far this year. Right now i have tomatoes that will make up until the middle of Nov, turnips, beets, green beans, I will lost them the first frost, but i love the vines, and cucumbers. Thank you for coming up with this system
I first got interested in gardening by reading Square Foot Gardening. By the time I got my first garden, I had moved on to Bio-intensive gardening. Certain things Mel teaches I still use: I use as few seeds as I can to reduce thinning, and I water using a plastic cup. I like the emphasis the Bio-intensive method puts on creating a healthy soil through making and using compost. Hey, Mel Bartholomew and John Jeavons both have beards! I guess I need one too!
Nothing too amazing. As said, this technique has been around for a long time. However, just because it’s been around a long time doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be taught/re-introduced. I highly recommend layering newspaper under the box. This will help prevent weeds and wild grass from growing up into your bed, is cheaper than “weed blocker” fabric, recycling!, and your vegetable’s roots will be able to push through it once they begin to mature and fill out their bed.
@200xowner Are super powers preventing you from building a victory / prosperity square foot garden in your front or backyard to feed yourself & your family? You suggesting people not attempt to grow their own food, transform the urban landscape & build a better community (like the way the urban farmers are)? Your comment is an example of a defeatism stagnant mentality that doesn’t encourage anyone to move forward or better themselves. You’re responsible for you- no super power is stopping you.
@AngelikavonDeutschla Like most things in life, your mileage will vary. I wonder what exactly caused your SFG garden to fail? As a commenter pointed out, SFG has been around since the middle ages, and I consider that “old way” in my book. I’ve seen plenty of SFGs in life & on YouTube to know it works with great results. Please share your trials & errors so others may know what to do or not do.
Sorry to say. I have built one last year. Cause it was a failure. I have been gardening and farming all my life. I must say that the old way of vegetable gardening works better.
AngelikavonDeutschla
June 18, 2011 at 10:06 pm Reply
@200xowner Ive gardened for quite some time now. My grandparents, parents and now myself and my children have gardens… to date Ive not had any superpower tell me i couldnt have a garden.
itsjustdeb579
June 18, 2011 at 4:35 pm
I have my first one going right now. In Southeast texas we have about 3 growing seasons depending on what you plant. Dad always raised two gardens and left nov – jan vacant. We had a huge garden growing up.. row gardens over 2 acres. I have so enjoyed my little garden so far this year. Right now i have tomatoes that will make up until the middle of Nov, turnips, beets, green beans, I will lost them the first frost, but i love the vines, and cucumbers. Thank you for coming up with this system
itsjustdeb579
June 18, 2011 at 5:08 pm
I first got interested in gardening by reading Square Foot Gardening. By the time I got my first garden, I had moved on to Bio-intensive gardening. Certain things Mel teaches I still use: I use as few seeds as I can to reduce thinning, and I water using a plastic cup. I like the emphasis the Bio-intensive method puts on creating a healthy soil through making and using compost. Hey, Mel Bartholomew and John Jeavons both have beards! I guess I need one too!
prieten52
June 18, 2011 at 6:04 pm
Nothing too amazing. As said, this technique has been around for a long time. However, just because it’s been around a long time doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be taught/re-introduced. I highly recommend layering newspaper under the box. This will help prevent weeds and wild grass from growing up into your bed, is cheaper than “weed blocker” fabric, recycling!, and your vegetable’s roots will be able to push through it once they begin to mature and fill out their bed.
OverbearingUrge
June 18, 2011 at 6:37 pm
@200xowner Are super powers preventing you from building a victory / prosperity square foot garden in your front or backyard to feed yourself & your family? You suggesting people not attempt to grow their own food, transform the urban landscape & build a better community (like the way the urban farmers are)? Your comment is an example of a defeatism stagnant mentality that doesn’t encourage anyone to move forward or better themselves. You’re responsible for you- no super power is stopping you.
OrganicTexas
June 18, 2011 at 6:44 pm
You won’t be able to solve hunger. Super powers of the world prevent it. Good try!
200xowner
June 18, 2011 at 7:32 pm
@AngelikavonDeutschla Like most things in life, your mileage will vary. I wonder what exactly caused your SFG garden to fail? As a commenter pointed out, SFG has been around since the middle ages, and I consider that “old way” in my book. I’ve seen plenty of SFGs in life & on YouTube to know it works with great results. Please share your trials & errors so others may know what to do or not do.
OrganicTexas
June 18, 2011 at 8:30 pm
very nice video
zuckersteinchen
June 18, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Très belle vidéo bravo!
André
guyotville06
June 18, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Sorry to say. I have built one last year. Cause it was a failure. I have been gardening and farming all my life. I must say that the old way of vegetable gardening works better.
AngelikavonDeutschla
June 18, 2011 at 10:06 pm
The Aztecs did this along time ago
weaternpi
June 18, 2011 at 10:21 pm
great video
JuneMarieaddme
June 18, 2011 at 11:18 pm
Planter!
Reckadreaming
June 18, 2011 at 11:24 pm
nice 🙂
michaelko2
June 18, 2011 at 11:44 pm
nice
blockstarful
June 19, 2011 at 12:28 am
this is the best gardening system, I use it on my Gronomics Elevated Gardening Planter. Check out their youtube video here: v=wXja7ji_YKQ
PatricioDiez76
June 19, 2011 at 12:54 am
@MrAlexanderM Indeed, sir!
OrganicTexas
June 19, 2011 at 1:16 am
“square foot gardening” has been in use since the Middel Ages anno 1300, sir.
MrAlexanderM
June 19, 2011 at 1:33 am
I’ve used this method for years and you just can’t beat it. My garden was even on the front page of the local paper once.
PIGGLEWIGGINS
June 19, 2011 at 2:05 am
I have a question let say you use Mel’s mix…
And put a condo for the worm…
Would you have to change the earth after couple of year?
Or the worm would be enough for fertilizing ?
thanks
jimprice09
June 19, 2011 at 2:41 am
This is one of the reasons they came up with SB 510; too much competition for the corporate chemical “farmers”.
UnoRaza
June 19, 2011 at 2:53 am
love it best way to go buy the books i own all of them.
patriotsrisenow
June 19, 2011 at 3:39 am
I just checked out your book at the library. Read the 1st chapter then went on line and bought it at Walmart.
Allen2045
June 19, 2011 at 3:51 am
Mel is in a league of his own when it comes to gardening. 🙂
Praxxus55712
June 19, 2011 at 4:17 am
This is the BEST video on Square Foot Gardening…no BS just what we need to hear.
happymundo
June 19, 2011 at 4:53 am