Square Foot Community Gardening

One of my projects this summer, and an integral part of our y2k preparations, has been working with my husband Alan to create a community garden for a small apartment complex. We are using the Square Foot method from the book and TV program SQUARE FOOT GARDENING, by Mel Bartholomew. There are also two good websites with information at www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html and www.3.primary.net/sqftfaq.html.

The square foot method is great for a community project, because it provides an overall organization and theme while allowing for individual variety in planting. It is an equitable way to divide space, and a clear way to assign responsibility for upkeep. Boxes protect young plants from hoses being dragged, and from the feet of visitors, kids, and dogs.

What has surprised us is that what took the most time in setting this up was in discussing garden space with the residents and agreeing to a plan. Community gardening is just as much about growing community as growing plants!

A plan was laid out on graph paper, then we commenced weeding and rototilling. When we got to laying out the squares, the plan had to be changed and adapted to new information. For instance, we found that by flattening the branches of a young cherry tree along the north side with weights, we were able to pick up an additional three squares. Creative adjustment of path widths and the widths of the borders along the south and east fences also gave us more room, so that we ended up with 16 squares instead of the 12 we had planned.

We staked out the gardens and squares, and raked loose soil out of the paths up on to the planting areas to increase the depth of the topsoil. Alan made a 4x4 wood box, which we put down on one of the squares. We were then ready for a meeting with everyone who wanted space. Ten families or individuals showed up for the meeting. Having the garden laid out enabled folks to choose spaces according to more or less sun, type of plant they wanted to grow, etc. This went very quickly and easily because everyone could actually see their space.

In the week since our meeting people have been building boxes and hauling horse manure. Some squares are planted. The borders and the space under the cherry tree have been planted with perennial herbs and vegetables like chives, rhubarb, horseradish, chinese chives, and lemon balm.

Currently we are clearing land for a second square foot garden in the southwest corner. This will make another 16 squares in a sunnier location. Another perennial border is planned, and we are going to experiment with trellises and cold frames. Cold frames can be built with raised backs and sloping sides, popped over the existing square frames, and covered with old windows to extend the growing season. (See the book and websites for more great ideas.)

We are all having a lot of fun, and learning a lot from each others ideas and ingenuity!

Seraphima

-- seraphima (seraphima@aol.com), May 27, 1999