Popcorn Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 Thanks Lesley - I got the leaflet this morning. Can't wait to get the book now. My next door neighbour is so self suffient, I'm envious. He gives me a weekly tour round his garden and last night we sat eating his raspberry's - yummy. Hopefully now I'll be able to have my own bit of self sufficiency, and between him, the book and the forum, this time next year we'll be munching on our own veggies. In the meantime...I have found a local farmer who will deliver us a box of organic veg once a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 Thanks Gina - glad it arrived. It is a really good idea for small spaces and large as well. I still haven't got into it in a big way but both grandchildren have their own little plots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsnesbitt Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 I am late on this thread...........can you tell me a bit about the book....I need all the help I can get! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 Hi Denise Basically it is a system of using blocks of four feet square plots. Each plot is divided into 16 little squares of one foot square. Seeds or plants are closely spaced within these small squares, tall things at the back and not shading smaller squares. For example each square could have: 4 rows of carrots 16 Onions 1 Dwarf french bean 4 lettuce 1 courgette - at the back, clinbing up canes. 4 Runner beans - at the back, climbing. 4 rows of beetroot. 1 Sweetcorn plant. You keep sowing in trays so that you can keep a succession of plants and when you harvest one crop you replace it with another. It is a very productive way of growing. The Book is Square Foot Gardening and is by Mel Bartholemew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted June 17, 2005 Author Share Posted June 17, 2005 Hi denise.. When my book arrives I will let you know if I get the leaflet that Lesley sent me, and I'll send it to you. You get some freebies when the book arrives and if you aren't satisfied with the book you can return it with 2 weeks. I'm really lookiing forward to getting it. My fingers are itching to go green! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsnesbitt Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 sounds great girls..........yep is it similar to pottager style? D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted June 28, 2005 Author Share Posted June 28, 2005 No sign of my book yet!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Gina it's worth waiting for, I have only two 2m by 1m plots, started in April and I'm already eating my own radishes, lettuce, Kale, Spinach, Mange tout, swiss chard, herbs and beetroot, with tomatoes, carrots, buching onions, garlic and strawberries coming soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Trish - that sounds really good. Was it as easy as you thought? I've still not done one properly - the children do so I ought to follow really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted June 29, 2005 Author Share Posted June 29, 2005 WOW - Trish, that's fantastic, and very inspiring. I've started to clear out a spot in the garden, which is around 2 metre square, so I'm hoping this will get me going...... Come on Mr Postman!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted July 5, 2005 Author Share Posted July 5, 2005 Can't believe it..my book STILL hasn't arrived yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 5, 2005 Share Posted July 5, 2005 It is taking some time isn't it Gina Have you put anything in your plots yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted July 5, 2005 Author Share Posted July 5, 2005 Only runner beans, which the snails have gobbled up mostly. Not having much luck am I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 5, 2005 Share Posted July 5, 2005 Why not mark one plot into 30cm squares and then sow some seeds? You could put peas at the back and put sticks or netting ready for them to scramble up, carrots in short rows in front of the peas. Beetroot in a front plot and chard behind? Some places like Homebase still have veg. plants for sale and you might get a tomato os some lettuce. Do your own thing for the time being and then read the book over Autumn and Winter ready for next Spring. Put beer traps to catch the slugs and snails - especially in this weather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted July 5, 2005 Author Share Posted July 5, 2005 I think my slugs must be hardened beer drinkers, as I've put beer traps all around the beans! Actually, the problem was the depth of the jars I used - not tall enough and they slivered right out again. Lesley - I'm going to wait for the book as I really am a novice at growing things and I want to get it right. I have lots of gardening to do also, which will keep me busy while the book is winging it's way to me. Having only just moved in, I need to move things around in the garden to get the best spot for my veggies. In the meantime, I've been ordering boxes of organic fruit and veg from a local farmer, so we're doing ok until I can get going. If it's not here by Winter time, I'll go out and buy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 6, 2005 Share Posted July 6, 2005 OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted July 6, 2005 Share Posted July 6, 2005 Oops sorry not to have answered Lesley, my computer isn't showing unread topices and I missed this one. Yes it's been really easy the only thing I've stuggled with is not over sowing in an area but I'm starting to get that now. It really has worked well this year and whilst not self sufficient we've had loads out of a quite small area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 6, 2005 Share Posted July 6, 2005 That's good Trish - I meant to ask you on Sunday. As you saw, only Lauren and Jake have done it properly and my plots are still traditional - I just don't seem able to make the move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted July 6, 2005 Share Posted July 6, 2005 Would it be easier to convert an area as you empty it of the last crop? I though your areas look quite small and managable anyway not 15 foot rows of anything, which I think is the thinking behind squarefoot stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 6, 2005 Share Posted July 6, 2005 Yes, I work with five foot rows so sort of in-between! I will try to convert one plot at a time as they become empty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted July 7, 2005 Author Share Posted July 7, 2005 IT'S ARRIVED I've got some freebies too! A 'Stay Fresh' vegetable keeper bag type thing, and eight mini books; 1. Weed Free gardening 2. Time-saving Vege Garden Tips 3. Successful Shade gardening 4. the most Fragrant Flowers 5. Garden Pest Control 6. garden-Fresh recipes 7. Time-saving Secrets to a beautiful yard 8. Identifying Backyard Birds And today of all days - I've got to go to into work (normailly work at home) Can't WAIT to get home!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Wow Gina! - you get post in the morning! Lucky you! And all the freebies as well! I think you should start up a new topic - Tip of the Week, and let us have little gems of wisdom from your little books? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted July 7, 2005 Author Share Posted July 7, 2005 Post in the morning here, is also rare these days It actually came in a van too, AND it was hand delivered directly to me via the door - not the letter box. Feel like a V.I.P today. Will have a good read tonight, and keep you posted. Better run to work now...am 5 minutes late and not even left the house yet.......running as I type................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Good luck with the gardening Gina, the book timed it nicely, reading on thursday & friday, then all weekend for the spadework let us know how you get on with it. I've been reading this thread with interest, square foot gardening sounds like a great idea, but I struggle getting my head around conventional gardening. Maybe next spring I'll turn some of my veggie plot over to it, but only if another novice can reassure me that it's easy & it works . So I'm relying on you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Kate A - I will post a photo of Lauren's and Jake's little plots - they are 7 and 4! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
