If you’ve been looking for a way to grow more vegetables in less space, square-foot gardening might be just what you need! This method is perfect for those with limited space or beginners who want a low-maintenance way to garden. Yes, you still need to weed!
The goal of the square-foot gardening method is to grow an abundance in a small space. Whether you have a small backyard, a patio, or even just a sunny balcony, square-foot gardening offers an efficient, organized way to grow your plants.
A simple yet productive design
What is Square Foot Gardening?
Square foot gardening is a method developed by Mel Bartholomew that focuses on growing food in small, organized plots. Instead of planting crops in long, traditional rows, you divide your garden into square-foot sections. This technique maximizes space, allows you to grow more varieties of plants, and makes tending your garden easier.
Bartholomew was an engineer whose hobby was gardening. One reason the square foot method is structured into grids. He got the idea after watching several community garden plots get over run with weeds.
Each square foot is like its own mini-garden, and you plant a different type of plant in each section. The result is a well-organized, productive garden that can be adapted to any space, big or small.
How to Set Up a Square Foot Garden
Setting up your own square foot garden is straightforward and requires only a few materials. Here’s how to get started:
Build a Raised Bed—Square-foot gardens usually use raised beds. A 4x4-foot garden bed is a popular size, but you can adjust it based on your space. Raised beds keep the soil contained and make gardening easier on your back and knees.
Mel used the dimensions 4x4 because he felt that was a manageable size. That is 1.2 meters squared for my Metric friends. But you can make your beds whatever size fits you.
I will say to consider your height! I have always been short, just under 5’2”, and I find it hard to reach into a four-foot wide bed. I have always made my beds two or three feet wide to accommodate my reach.
Photo by Ame Vanorio The raised bed is 2X12 feet and 10 inches deep. It's filled with compost and bio comp. And has hoops with garden fabric in case we get some chilly weather. It held 3 cabbages, 4 broccoli, 4 Swiss chard, 4 Latino kale, 6 red Russian kale, 2 arugulas, 3 squares of lettuce, and 6 squares of onions. Because it was a pretty close-knit group of plants I did fertilize it every two weeks with fish emulsion.
2. Create the Grid – After your bed is built, divide the surface into 1x1 foot sections using string, wood slats, or any material that can mark out the squares. This is the heart of the square foot method!
I love this Seeding Square on Amazon that was designed to be used with the Square Foot Method. Makes it easy to figure out the different spacing for plants and is perfect for grids.
3. Fill with Soil – Use a mix of compost, potting soil, garden soil, and vermiculite or another soil mix that holds moisture well but drains effectively. Good soil is key to healthy plants, especially in a small space.
Mel had a particular mix that he used which was 1/3 each of compost, vermiculite, and peat moss. He was quite insistent about this combo but I never followed this piece of advice.
So that's 14 cubic feet of material or 7 - 5 gallon buckets each of the compost, peat, and vermiculite. That gets expensive!
So I have always used a mix of soil, some vermiculite, and lots of compost. I layer my compost pile so it turns out very light and rich in nutrients.
Check out my video on making compost below
If you don't have your own compost (YET) - its pretty reasonable to buy. I would get several different kinds to have a well-rounded selection of nutrients. Espoma brand has several different types.
Why is Peat Moss Bad?
Furthermore, as an environmentalist, I want to reduce my use of peat and am looking at alternatives. Peat moss is harvested from peat bogs, which are wetland ecosystems that take thousands of years to form.
Peatlands play a significant role in storing carbon. When peat is harvested or peatlands are drained, the stored carbon is released into the atmosphere. Peatlands also play a crucial role in water regulation. They act as natural sponges, absorbing rainwater and slowly releasing it over time, which helps to prevent flooding and maintain water quality.
Coconut coir is a great alternative for peat with the same water absorption qualities. And is a by-product of the coconut industry so sustainable. It is however quite expensive and takes a lot to fill 1/3 of a bed.
Learn more about organic gardening with my books. My growing guides are found on Amazon - books for Zone 5 friends coming soon!
Plan Your Planting
Now comes the fun part—planting! Each square foot is like its own mini-garden, and you plant a different type of plant in each section. Planning is critical especially if you have a small space.
The possibilities are endless! You can even add flowers or herbs to attract pollinators and add beauty to your garden.
Like any other garden, you want to give some thought to location. Is it sunny and is there access to water?
You’ll plant different amounts depending on the crop size:
1 plant per square foot for large plants like tomatoes or peppers
2 plants for kale, cucumbers (trellised) or corn
4 plants per square for medium-sized crops like lettuce
9 plants for smaller crops like spinach, beets, onions
16 plants for tiny crops like radishes or baby carrots
Keep in Mind
No system is perfect. You may need to adjust your spacing for the size of the plant variety or for the depth of your soil.
Use trellises for vining crops like cucumbers and squash.
This awesome chart comes from the non-profit Nourish.
The Benefits of Square Foot Gardening
Space Efficient – By using every inch of your garden bed effectively, square foot gardening allows you to grow a lot of produce in a small space. This is perfect for urban gardeners or anyone with limited room.
Easy to Maintain – With the garden divided into neat sections, it’s easier to water, weed, and care for your plants. Plus, it’s less overwhelming than a large traditional garden.
Better Yields – Because the plants are closer together and spaced properly, you get higher yields per square foot compared to row gardening.
Water Saving – Since the garden bed is smaller and more compact, watering is more targeted, reducing waste and saving water.
Fewer Pests and Weeds – The dense planting helps crowd out weeds and reduces space for pests to settle in. You’ll still need to keep an eye out, but it’s easier to manage.
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Tips for Success
Rotate Crops – Keep your soil healthy by rotating your crops each year. This helps prevent disease and nutrient depletion.
Use Companion Planting – Pairing certain plants together can help reduce pests and promote better growth. For example, planting basil near tomatoes can help deter insects.
Mulch – Adding a layer of mulch on top of the soil can help retain moisture and keep weeds down.
Don’t Overcrowd – It’s tempting to plant a lot, but follow the recommended spacing to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to poor growth and disease.
Challenges of Square Foot Gardening
1. Limited Root Space
Challenge: Certain plants, like tomatoes, pumpkins, or deep-rooted crops, may struggle in a confined square due to limited root space. Make or purchase raised beds that are at least 10 inches deep - twelve is better.
Solution: Focus on compact or dwarf varieties and consider using deeper raised beds for root-heavy crops. Stock tanks also make great raised beds.
What I do. I hammer together 2X10s to make an inexpensive yet deep bed. May not be the prettiest option but very functional.
2. High Initial Setup Cost
Challenge: Building raised beds, acquiring good-quality soil, and setting up grids can be expensive initially.
Solution: Use repurposed materials for beds and gradually improve your soil over time with compost and organic amendments.
3. Frequent Watering
Challenge: Small squares dry out faster than larger garden beds, especially in hot climates.
Solution: Mulch around plants to retain moisture and consider installing a drip irrigation system or self-watering system.
4. Intensive Soil Management
Challenge: Because crops are planted densely, the soil nutrients can be depleted quickly, requiring consistent fertilization and care.
Solution: Use compost regularly and organic fertilizers to replenish nutrients. Rotate crops to prevent nutrient imbalances. My favorite organic fertilizer after compost is fish emulsion. You can spray it on leaves (foliar feed) or pour on soil.
5. Crowding and Plant Competition
Challenge: Dense planting can lead to competition for sunlight, water, and nutrients, potentially stunting growth.
Solution: Follow proper plant spacing guidelines, and prune plants to maintain airflow and light penetration.
6. Pest and Disease Pressure
Challenge: Close planting can create an environment where pests and diseases spread more easily.
Solution: Use companion planting, row covers, and organic pest control methods. Rotate crops yearly to reduce disease risks.
7. Learning Curve
Challenge: Beginners may find it difficult to plan the garden properly, especially understanding plant spacing and succession planting.
Solution: Start small with just a few squares and use a planting guide or planner to organize your crops effectively.
8. Seasonal and Crop Limitations
Challenge: Not all crops are suitable for the SFG method, especially those that require a lot of space or spread aggressively (e.g., corn, sprawling squash).
Solution: Grow these crops outside the grid system or in separate containers.
9. Maintenance Intensity
Challenge: While SFG reduces overall workload, the compact space requires more consistent weeding, pruning, and replanting.
Solution: Designate regular times for garden maintenance and use mulch to suppress weeds.
10. Grids Can Be Restrictive
Challenge: The rigid grid system may limit creativity or flexibility in plant placement.
Solution: Be flexible with the grid—use it as a guide but adapt to what works best for your crops and space.
Final Thoughts
Square foot gardening is a fantastic way to make gardening accessible, even if you have limited space or time. It’s an organized, efficient, and productive system that can provide you with fresh produce throughout the growing season. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, this method is a great way to enjoy the benefits of growing your own food.
Author, Ame Vanorio, is the founder of Fox Run Environmental Education, lifelong organic gardener, a writer, and a wildlife rehabilitator.
You may think because your yard gets only partial sun and has a lot of shade that you can’t grow vegetables or herbs. You are in luck! Many vegetables such as greens and root crops grow well in part shade.