Re: Square Foot Gardening

We have some raised beds in our backyard, and we tried using square foot gardening techniques in them last season for the first time. It worked out well. One of the nice things about it is that you always have different things coming up throughout the season. Instead of getting 20 pounds of tomatoes all in one week, you get a few tomatoes, and more manageable amounts of a variety of other vegetables.

Raised beds also make gardening easier because the soil doesn't get compacted, and it drains very well. They are nice for people with disabilities because you don't have to get down quite as low to work. You can even order or make raised beds on legs (they look like big planter boxes) from one to a few feet high. These are especially good for people with arthritis, etc. (see, e.g., http://eartheasy.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=CRG001).

Gardening is a great way to reduce your food bill and carbon footprint (most food travels an average of 1500 miles before it gets to your local grocery store). My grandmothers both turned their entire back yards into giant gardens. Growing vegetables at home used to be very common, particularly during the Depression and WWII. Now so many people want a neatly manicured lawn instead. With raised beds and square foot gardening, it's possible to have a little of both.