Square Foot Garden Plan 2011

Behold, my plan to put at least 22 varieties of vegetables and plants in a portion of our yard no larger than a standard bathroom:

There are still a few empty boxes--because I know I'll have to rearrange things when I actually have plants or seeds in my hands.  And when Sam and I go later today to Lowes (my local store has 50% off Burpee seeds this week!), I'm sure I'll end up buying some things that are not on my list, but will need to be incorporated somehow.  Impulse gardening?  I guess there is such a thing.

Am I crazy?

I have an almost-two-year-old and am expecting a new baby in the middle of the summer (i.e., the growing season).  I can barely manage to make my grocery list some weeks, and here I am creating a new project to involve myself in daily?

Yep.

Do you know how Square Foot Gardening (SFG) works?  It's pretty awesome.  You allot one square foot per plant variety in a raised bed.  Some plants require more than 1 square foot.  Since we're somewhat pressed for space, we will use mainly the smaller varieties, except when it comes to the summer squashes.  Tomatoes, squash, and peas will be trained on a trellis, so they have a small footprint and plenty of room to grow upward.

Last year I planted 2 blueberry bushes (which I hope will spring into action this summer), and one cherry tomato.  That little tomato plant did moderately alright, and it gave me just enough hope and a taste of getting fresh tomatoes to whet my appetite to garden for real this year.

Why are we doing this?  Part of it is to see if we can.  Part of me believes it will be rewarding.  Fun, even.  Part of it is to have a reason to go outside every day.  So Lizzie can experience growing plants, playing in dirt, and picking strawberries.  So Sam can have a garden for the first time in his life.  He will learn as much as I will, and hopefully be able to help other people with their gardens.  He'll also have 16 fewer square feet of lawn to mow.  And so we can have fresh greens for salads, vegetables for stir-fry and for the freezer, sun-ripened tomatoes and peppers, fresh herbs, and more zucchini than we will know what to do with.

I'll keep you posted on the progress of our little adventure.  The plan is to buy the materials and seeds now, but there is not a lot to be accomplished before the average last frost date (in this area, around April 15).  Assembly and planting will follow.  And pictures!