One thing that I have learned works for me over the last several years is gardening.
Specifically vegetable gardening, although I love my flowers too!
There’s always room for a garden, but sometimes you need to think inside the box.
When you live in a small space like I do, the most important thing that you need to consider is how to effectively grow as much as you can with the space that you have.
I never thought I would have the ability to grow a successful garden in my yard due to the fact that I just did not have a lot of space for the traditional gardens that I was so used to.
Then I found an interesting book while I was at a garage sale and decided to pay the quarter to buy it and brought it home.
As soon as I began to read the book I realized that there was a whole new world of gardening specifically for small spaces that I had never known about before.
With the information I had learned in the book Square Foot Gardening
I’ll admit that I was a bit skeptical that first year. After all how could I possibly grow anything in little square foot sections? Plants needed to be planted in rows to grow….right?
I grew lettuce, beans, eggplant, cucumber, tomato, zucchini, chives, and parsley that first year. And all in a 3 ft section of grounds.
This is my fourth year using this method. Each year I try to add something new to the garden. I am always looking for creative ways to utilize the space I have.
I have expanded my garden to a 6ft x 3 ft section.
I am excited to try some new things with my garden this year and I’ll be sure to share them with you.
I believe that everyone can grow something. Are you planning to garden this year?
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Everyone is talking about that Square foot garden book. I looked online at the site, and I’m trying it this year also. I have an 8×8 this year. I hope I can do it.
.-= Jen B´s last blog ..Prom 2010 =-.
It’s so easy, and I’ll admit that I don’t follow the method completely. But the idea of growing in squares instead of rows is what I really like!
I love the Square Foot method. We made 3 boxes at our first rental and had to leave them. This year there is no extra money to make more, but I have still applied my know-how to a little 4′x3′ area in our backyard. Our problem here is that there are so many big trees! Even if we had the extra money, I would not have built boxes, because I am not sure where to put them. Next year I will have that answer! Can’t wait too see what grows in your lovely box.
Jenn
Thanks Jenn!
How do you handle weeding? One square foot at a time?
Will you come and build me a box?
Yep, I check my box every so often and pull the weeds a little at a time.
And I must warn you that you wouldn’t want me building you a box =)
For the last 4 years we have had a successful square foot garden and I’m going to miss it this summer since we sold our house and are in a rental while we build. Anyway, we grew lots of lettuce, carrots, bush beans, peas, spinach, etc. I really liked how the grid that goes on top of a square foot garden makes all the variety look interesting and not just a mess.
.-= Leslie´s last blog ..beat the budget! – week 16 and week 17 =-.
I have been wanting to try a combo of Square Foot gardening and Lasagna gardening for several years… Thought I would this year, but with surpise baby #3 on the way, we are setting the goal for next year instead. It will be a great summer homeschool project for our kids. Good luck with yours!
Lasagna garden sounds pretty interesting! I always used our garden for homeschool science each year.
Thanks for the tips…my post is about how to start a garden this week and I love this idea!
.-= andrea´s last blog ..Secret Garden =-.
We used one of these last year and added another one this year. They are great.
.-= Julie Bagamary´s last blog ..Save The Date =-.
Thats awesome. We used this. This year we are trying Pink Tomatos from the burpees catalog for our something new. I find it a peaceful and relaxing thing to do.
I think that trying out new things is part of the fun of gardening. Pink tomatoes huh? Haven’t seen those yet, but they sound neat.
I love this!! This is exactly what I needed! I have a huge square side yard just BEGGING for veggies! This is awesome!!
.-= Lynsey Jones´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Pensacola Beach =-.
I love it! I probably won’t get to garden until next year. We’re supposed to be buying our first house on Friday next week. By the time I’m ready to garden, though, I think it’ll be too late in the season.
.-= Paula´s last blog ..SavvyCents Review & Giveaway =-.
Oh, this makes me really want to start my garden. we’ve had really warm weather so far and I’ve been regretting putting it off, but we’re supposed to get SNOW this weekend so now I’m feeling smart about it all, lol! Thanks for the inspiration!
.-= marybeth @ http://www.babygoodbuys.com´s last blog ..Diaper Genie II on Sale From $12.54! =-.
Nooo, don’t say the “s” word in May! Seriously though the weather has been so up and down here too, I am so ready for it to stay warm for a while.
Thanks for the great resource. We live in a very small space as well.
Kathy
I want a garden soo bad. It seems like a lot of fun and it would be amazing to go pick fresh veggies out of your backyard! I can’t wait until we get a house….
We have two garden beds set up and ready to go, just waiting for this weekend or next to plant! I’m hoping that everything does really well for everyone this year!
I too garden in a small space. I have tried 2 different things. I have added my veggies to my flower garden and I grow things up. I have blogged about both. This year I am adding potatoes in a garbage can, although I still haven’t found the can yet. I will hit yard sales tomorrow in hopes of finding one.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Let’s Bring Frugal Back =-.
I have always thought about trying the potatoes in a garbage can method, I’d love to hear how it works out for you!
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