What is Square Foot Gardening?

“Look! There is a talk on Square Foot Gardening,” Jim said as we were looking through the program for the Mother Earth News Fair in Belton, Texas. We had enjoyed attending the Mother Earth News Fair, so we added the presentation to our schedule.

I have been interested in Square Foot Gardening since the ‘80’s, but I never tried it. 

I discovered Mother Earth News in the ‘70s when I moved from Arizona to rural New York. I loved the do-it-yourself and how-to articles. I could identify with the audience of back-to the landers and others ranging from hippies, to survivalists to suburban dwellers who dreamed of someday moving to the country.

My Love of Gardening

Jelly with our own grapes

I have been interested in gardening since I was a child and spent time with my great grandparents. John, my great grandfather had an amazing garden. My great grandmother, Pearl, was an expert canner who also shared her passion and knowledge with me. Thanks to Granny Pearl, I also developed an interest in canning. Dad had grown up with them. For many years, Dad and I would harvest wild grapes and make jelly.  

Canning, Pickling and Freezing with Irma Harding

My curiosity coupled with Granny Pearl’s instruction helped me pursue canning every chance I got. One day at a mixer in Austin Texas, I met Lee Klancher. We discussed my love of food, which had brought me to Boggy Creek Farm, one of the country’s first organic urban farms where I volunteered. I laughed as I discussed helping out at the farm with Carol Ann Sayle, the farmer. My motto became “will work for food.” The discussion continued and as I got up to leave, Lee mentioned he was a publisher and asked if I would be interested in a cookbook project. 

Mother Earth News Maker Faire in Belton, Texas

We met again and he introduced me to International Harvester’s fictional spokesperson named Irma Harding (much like the beloved Betty Crocker). I began working on the book, Canning, Pickling and Freezing with Irma Harding. It was published Octane Press in 2014.

Jim and I went to Red Power Round Up that year, the IH gathering of the tractor faithful at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron. People from all around the world gather to see the history of International Harvester and agriculture-related memorabilia. I made a presentation about Irma and signed books. While there, I met Terri from Mother Earth News. My book was also in the Mother Earth News bookstore. We’d see her at other events including Red Power Roundups in a number of states. 

Mother Earth News started hosting Fairs in 2010. These fun-filled, family-oriented sustainable lifestyle events feature practical, hands-on demos, and workshops. Presentations include renewable energy, small-scale agriculture, livestock, gardening, green building, natural health and more. They hand-select local and national exhibitors to bring the best in organic food and drink, books and magazines, tools and seeds, green contractors, animal fibers, clothing and more. Jim and I attended the Fair in Belton since it began in 2016. 

Discovering Square Foot Gardening

In February, we headed to the Fair in Belton and found the Square Foot Gardening presentation. The Square Foot Gardening method was developed by civil engineer Mel Bartholomew in 1976 as a simple alternative to labor intensive and inefficient row gardening. This revolutionary method has helped people from around the world become successful gardeners.

The presenter, Wayne Schirner, became a Certified Square Foot Gardening Instructor in 2015.  He is also a Master Gardener. While he was in the Army, Wayne moved around quite a bit over the years, but always made it a priority to have his Square Foot Garden. We enjoyed his presentation and had the good fortune of meeting Wayne. We stopped by the Book Store and picked up a copy of founder Mel Bartholomew’s book on Square Foot Gardening. Wayne recommended the new 3^rd Edition! On the way home, we began discussing starting a garden. 

Starting My Own Square Foot Garden

Constructing the garden box

I enjoyed reading Square Foot Gardening after Wayne’s presentation. I soon found out the Square Foot Gardening website had lots of useful information. In March, we stopped by The Natural Gardener and picked up the ingredients for Mel’s Mix, the special growing medium. Jim began to construct the 4×4-foot garden box with cinder blocks and landscaping cloth. We rolled out a large tarp and emptied compost and peat moss, and then misted the mix lightly. Next we added coarse vermiculite. Even Miles, our dog, helped.

Mixing soil

Then, we added the Mel’s Mix and laid out the grid with string to create the 1 x 1-foot squares. I studied the sample square foot garden maps for recommended vegetables and the number of plants per square. I mapped my garden on graph paper. I made selections from my seed collection and took another trip to The Natural Gardener for plants. 

Planting was a real pleasure. I was able to use a trellis I already had for beans and cucumbers. Not only do I have the main garden, but the cinder blocks offered opportunities to plant marigolds and sunflowers as accents. I planted zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and melons. I continue to enjoy going out to the garden every day to water after we walk the dogs. As the hot Texas weather has moved in, I’m planning for summer and fall. 

I have also stayed in touch with Wayne. I’m delighted that he’ll be sharing his Square Foot Gardening presentation with our Hays County Master Gardeners. 

Marilyn tending the Square Foot Garden