Monthly Archives: April 2009
Growing Herbs
I’ve had several requests for information about herbs, so here it is! Basil Basil is one of the most popular herbs to grow-there is nothing better than cooking with fresh basil! For earliest basil production, start seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last frost date. Harden off, then transplant the week of the last frost date. If you’re not in a big hurry, just wait until the week of the frost date to plant outside. Harvest leaves as you need them, leaving about 4 per stem. Be sure to pinch off the growing tips, since this promotes more bushy side-growth. … Continue reading
Posted in Veggies
5 Comments
Cost Comparison Update
Just a heads up that I’ve made some changes on my post about Building versus Buying a Square Foot Garden. The sites I referred to changed both the prices and the offerings. If you’re in the market to build or buy, be sure to check it out! Happy gardening!
Not kidding. . .
I knew it was supposed to snow today. That’s why I didn’t transplant my broccoli and cabbage-this year I’m playing it safe. I thought, “I’ll have to wait until Friday.” Well, I might be waiting slightly longer now. Here is my garden this morning: In case you’re wondering what this is a picture of, I’ll tell you. It’s my garden wtih 9″ of snow on it. Yes, April 16 and 9″ of snow. For reference, here is what this very same square foot garden bed looked like just a few days ago: Happy gardening!
Posted in 2009, My SFG
7 Comments
I’m not lazy. . . I’m just a wimp!
I’ve been meaning to work in my garden for over a week-I need to plant my onions and spinach, plus set out my irrigation and trellis. It’s not that I’m lazy, but it’s been COLD outside! It seems like it snows every other week, and I don’t want to lose all my hard work. And honestly, I hate the cold. Fortunately, Monday was a beautiful day and I was able to get out and get it done! Here are the onion sets I planted. I put 9 in each square foot, and I still had a ton on little onions … Continue reading
Posted in 2009, My SFG
4 Comments
Adventures in Broccoli
I haven’t posted lately about my gardening progress, but don’t let that throw you off. I’ve been working hard-inside! Several weeks ago I started my broccoli, cabbage, parsley, and dill. I found some great Jiffy pots (size 3), and filled them with potting soil. I planted the seeds, watered well, and placed them in a tupperware container, with the lid on. The space I had available is in my basement, but it’s cold down there. So I left this lamp on to keep the temperature warm enough. It worked like a charm! Once the seeds germinated, I took off the … Continue reading
Posted in 2009, My SFG
2 Comments
Building vs Buying Cost Comparison
I’ve found a couple of great resources for building square foot gardens. Here are the price breakdowns, done as “apples to apples” as I could! Vinyl Square Foot Gardens 6″ high (single rail) NO SOIL Dimensions Home Gardens To Go Website Square Foot Gardening Website Homemade w/ Home Depot 2×4 $69.00 $60.00 $49.00* 4×4 $99.00 $85.00 $50.00 4×8 $159.00 $165.00 $82.00 6″ high (single rail) WITH SOIL Dimensions Home Gardens To Go Website Square Foot Gardening Website Homemade w/ Home Depot 2×4 $89.00 $68.00 $57.00* 4×4 $149.00 101.00 $66.00 4×8 $249.00 197.00 $114.00 *no grid 10″ high (double rail) WITHOUT … Continue reading
Posted in Build, Getting Started
18 Comments
Building a Square Foot Garden Box (Wood)
This spring my friend Tara and I tackled this project together. Here’s a list of materials and costs: wood (two 16′ 2×10 boards, one 8′ 2×10 board-$31 total) 16 corner brackets ($.56 each, $9) wood stain (1 can from the “oops” pile-$5) screws ($5) miscellaneous parts ($3) weed mat (free) kite string (free) 1 bale peat moss ($8) 1 bag perlite ($13) 3 bags chicken compost ($11) 11 bags steer compost ($15) 6 gallon bucket of coffee grounds (free) Total Cost: $100 Tools and equipment: electric drill scissors shovel gloves paintbrush First, of course, we made a plan. We visited … Continue reading
Posted in Build
28 Comments
