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  • Square Foot Gardening in an allotment?

    I have finally got an allotment after being on the waiting list for a couple of years, needless to say we are very happy!

    I'm planning on using the Square Foot Garden method to layout the plot, I think I could probably get more planted with more traditional methods, but I think this layout will be easiest to maintain for my first allotment.

    I don't think I should be as intensive with the planting as they recommend(?). Mainly because I doubt there is the nutrient density at the allotment compared with a garden based 4x4 bed with 'purpose built' potting soil/feed.

    So... I'm thinking that I can still use the principle, but plant a few less seeds in each square foot, so instead of the recommended 9 per sqft, I'd go with 4 or 5.

    Just wondering if anyone has any hands on experience with this?

    Also, I enjoyed an hour or so earlier designing the plot layout, not a great pic, but exciting for us non-the-less, it will be about 270 'sections', just need to decide what's going where now


  • #2
    I'm sure you've seen this thread http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ing_44388.html, Chris, but if not, pull up a chair and make yourself comfy, you have a lot to read

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    • #3
      That's perfect thank you! Just read through the first few pages and it looks like it's exactly what I'm trying to do

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      • #4
        The principle is exactly the same. Use the same number of plants no need to cut back.


        Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum

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        • #5
          When I had just started my plot and only had a couple of beds to plant into I used the square foot gardening method very successfully.

          Now I have lots more space I am finding it a bit of a pain to plant a small amount of a crop here and there, but I have deliberately left one bed as square foot for some of the crops that I will either harvest quickly (radish) or won't need lots of.

          Andy
          Last edited by Samurailord; 21-05-2014, 08:54 AM.
          http://vegpatchkid.blogspot.co.uk/ Latest Blog Entries Friday 13 Mar 2015 - Sowing Update

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          • #6
            19 foot beds are a pain to keep walking round!

            I suggest you either make those central beds into 4 or maybe the better option of putting in some stepping stones half way along!

            The idea of those beds is that you don't step on the soil....I would defy anyone to have the self control to walk all the way round rather than 'just nip across'
            "Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

            Location....Normandy France

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            • #7
              I had 25ft beds & walked round them so there............
              sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
              --------------------------------------------------------------------
              Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
              -------------------------------------------------------------------
              Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
              -----------------------------------------------------------
              KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

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              • #8
                That's cos you are superhuman!
                "Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

                Location....Normandy France

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                • #9
                  ..............and tall enough to step over them

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                  • #10
                    My main beds are all 10' by 4' which I find a very good size although I have some that are only 6' long which are pretty useful too

                    Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

                    Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

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                    • #11
                      I was very impressed when a chap working on a plot nearby (he is from a gardening club on the nearby estate) stopped by mine - wanting to know if we had a certain tool in the communal shed - pointed a finger at my efforts and said 'square foot gardening'.

                      'Well spotted!' I responded. He actually has an updated version of the book.

                      I also keep a paper record (in a graph book: makes it easier to mark out diagrams) of my sowings. Bound to forget otherwise. My friend bent down and said 'that's a weed, that's a weed', started pulling them out and I've cried 'hang on, they might be my parsnips!' That's because I have a plant label saying so. Pretty sure I transplanted from the greenhouse.

                      I'm terrible at differentiating between an actual plant or a weed, unless I have a plant marker right beside it.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Nicos View Post
                        That's cos you are superhuman!
                        So true Nic, so true.................
                        Attached Files
                        sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
                        --------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
                        -------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
                        -----------------------------------------------------------
                        KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Jarz View Post

                          I'm terrible at differentiating between an actual plant or a weed, unless I have a plant marker right beside it.
                          Don't worry- I'm still trying to figure out seedlings...espesh flower ones!!
                          "Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

                          Location....Normandy France

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Nicos View Post
                            Don't worry- I'm still trying to figure out seedlings...espesh flower ones!!
                            Phew!! Not just me then.

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                            • #15
                              My beds are about 12 feet by 4 feet in round numbers. It's okay but I wouldn't want them any longer, I'd get lazy and walk across the middle.
                              My gardening blog: In Spades, last update 30th April 2018.
                              Chrysanthemum notes page here.

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