A SFG is pretty distinctive. It’s made up
of an elevated box frame filled with a
nutrient-rich media and outfitted with
a gridded overlay. This frame can be
made of wood, vinyl, cinder block, or
stone. Basic units are available prefab-
ricated, or they can be cobbled together
in an afternoon from 1x6-inch untreated
wood, deck screws, and lath strips.
The most popular overall size is
4x4 feet, with a height of six inches,
but that can vary. Since an adult has
an arm’s reach of about two feet, a
4x4-foot frame would allow for access
from all four sides. For a frame with
limited access, such as one positioned
against a wall or fence, the width
would max out at two feet. You get the
idea. Although the width is limited, the
potential length of a SFG isn’t. Frames
of 4x8 feet and 4x12 feet are also
popular. Many square foot gardeners
use multiple box frames.
“
You’ll notice the height of a normal box frame is only six inches.
That’s not a typo. Since the media provides all the nutrition plants
need, hungry roots don’t have to dig deep to find sustenance.”
4’
The Frame
The basic principle is to create a frame
that can be separated into 12x12-inch
squares using lath strips, rope, or other
materials. Each square defines the
growing space for an individual plant
variety. A classic 4x4-foot SFG frame
contains 16 growing squares.
You’ll notice the height of a normal
box frame is only six inches. That’s not
a typo. Since the media provides all the
nutrition plants need, hungry roots don’t
have to dig deep to find sustenance. The
exceptions are root crops, like potatoes
and carrots, which will need a box
height of eight to 10 inches. This height
factor is one of the most controversial
aspects of square foot gardening.
grow cycle
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