Winter 2020 Newsletter

ONE SQUARE FOOT AT A TIME Newsletter of the Square Foot Gardening Foundation Winter 2020 LETTER FROM THE FOUNDATION EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW Greetings, ABOUT SFG Do you have your copy of the All Square Foot New Square Foot Gardening, Third Gardeners! Edition? Don’t wait! We hope you’ve had the start to a With over 150 new photos and truly happy New Year. The holiday illustrations, this new edition makes season brings with it many joys and an opportunity to reflect. Whether you it easier than ever to achieve nearly make New Year’s resolutions or not, we would like to encourage you to foolproof results in virtually any reflect upon your gifts and make this year one during which you share the situation. Remember: joys and self-reliance of growing your own food. Of course, we believe that’s 100% of the produce best achieved through Square Foot Gardening, and who better to spread the 20% of the water word than you, our faithful friends? 5% of the work You’ll love the new info inside, Even if you are not a CI (Certified Instructor), you can spread the word including: through your family, your neighbors, your local schools, your local food • Adding trellises and archways resource agencies, or even further afield. Your passion and knowledge will • Substituting with new materials be multiplied ten-fold. Maybe you can help plant and maintain a Square • Adding automatic watering systems Foot giving garden at your area food bank. Fresh food is something that is in critically short supply at many food banks. Think of the impact that you, even • “Thinking Outside the Box” with creative configurations and shapes as one person, can have to feed others. • Square Foot Gardening in dense To paraphrase the famous saying, “Give a person food and they will eat for urban areas with little or no yard a day; teach them how to grow food, and they will grow food for a lifetime.” • Square Foot Gardening with kids This is our mission, to solve world hunger, one square at a time. We hope • Protecting crops you’ll join us in 2020. CLICK HERE There’s so much in our pages to read. We hope you enjoy it! TO ORDER! Happy Gardening! Laura & Steve Bartholomew

LAUNCHING SOON! CI Program Launching Soon! We’re hard at work creating a brand-new Certified Instructor Program. If you’re interested in becoming a Square Foot Gardening Certified Instructor, please click here to sign up to be notified when we re-launch. www.squarefootgardening.org  #squarefootgardening 1 FEATURED CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR

Sheryl Boddie Are you interested in Sheryl Boddie came from something of a gardening family — she describes her becoming a Certified father as a “farmboy” — so she’s always been Instructor? interested in gardening and the natural Please sign up to be world in general. Then about 10 years ago, notified when we launch she remembers coming across one of Mel the new program. Bartholomew’s Square Foot Gardening books, and in her words, “I was hooked.”

Career Pivot Sheryl Boddie But it wasn’t until she was laid off from her corporate job that she began looking to pivot her career in a new direction. She and her husband had moved to a 4-acre property just outside of Atlanta, GA, and she began thinking about how she might turn her love of gardening and her passion for Mel’s method into a new career. That prompted her to become a Certified Instructor, and what follows is an amazing (and inspiring!) domino effect that could never have been predicted.

Airbnb Experience A Square Foot Gardening Sheryl and her husband decided to use the lower level of their home as an Marketing Genius is Born Airbnb rental, and because of their Square Foot Gardening boxes in their For instructors who would love to front yard and on the back deck, the garden became a major attraction. share their passion for Square Foot “People staying at an Airbnb often have the ability to cook their own meals,” Gardening with their communities she says, “so we try to send our renters a list of what edible plants are but who aren’t sure how to market growing in the garden before they check in, and then encourage them to it, Sheryl has some effective tips harvest from the garden before doing their meal planning.” that can energize their efforts.

This “farm to fork” experience connects her renters not only with fresh food “Start small and get advice,” she from the garden, but with a “new to them” way of gardening. And because of advises.” Look up the small business how her Airbnb renters took to the gardening experience, Sheryl decided to development center in your city take things a step farther — with an artistic twist. for help. It’s a free service, and they are there help you get your small Connecting SFG with Art business off the ground and will “We thought it would be fun to offer even assign an agent to you.” Square Foot Gardening classes,” she says, “My husband makes the 1’ x 1’ boxes out From there, she always carries of reclaimed wood, and participants get her Square Foot Gardening CI to learn all about Square Foot Gardening business cards with her and leaves and take a box home with them.” them at coffee shops and other businesses. She networks with her But it wasn’t until they connected with a local art shop did things really start area’s Chamber of Commerce and to take off. “We bring the boxes to the art shop, and participants get to tourism bureau and connects in paint their boxes any way they want,” Sheryl explains, “I bring in samples of person with schools. compost and seeds, and everyone leaves with a decorated box plus their own samples, so they can get started with their own Square Foot Garden at home!”

www.squarefootgardening.org  #squarefootgardening 2 INDOOR PROJECTS FOR OUTDOOR GARDENS Oh, the weather outside is frightful! Bet you sang along with that, “Don’t just send an email to a didn’t you? Well, for many of us, school,” she says. “Make up some even if the weather isn’t quite flyers, go into the school office to frightful, it’s certainly nicer to be introduce yourself and what you do, inside where it’s warm, dry, and and ask them to place your flyers cozy! But nothing says you have in the teachers’ boxes.” It’s created to be idle while waiting for spring. Make your own insect house! a valuable opportunity to connect Why not put this time to good use children (and their teachers) with by making a garden project or two? gardening in general and with You can easily do these at home with minimal and even found materials. Square Foot Gardening in particular. Let’s get started!

“Square Foot Gardening has a way Air-Bee-n-Bee of connecting the generations,” So you always wanted to host a little cozy bed-and-breakfast, right? Well, the Sheryl says. “Children learn how hours can be killer for those, but an Air-Bee-n-Bee is great! It’s a wonderful to grow food, millennials see this idea to provide a place for beneficial bees, especially in your garden, and this as a way of connecting in a cool is a great project for parents and kids to do as a family project. way with the environment, and Remember that this is really a nearly year-round home more than a everyone gets to learn new, better, temporary place to hang out, so using materials that won’t fall apart in and more sustainable methods.” It’s weather (cardboard, particleboard, and so on) is important. a win-win for everyone. Making the Box You will need a wooden box, open on one side with an overhanging roof to shed rain. Smaller is better than larger (some bees are more solitary than others, and it’s possible that really large bee houses could attract predators such as birds), but it should be a minimum of 8 inches deep. One idea is to repurpose a drawer from a wooden chest of drawers. Or, make one, say a box 12 inches x 12 inches and 8 inches deep. Exact dimensions (other than depth) don’t matter too much. If you’re making your own box, use real, untreated wood. Don’t use particleboard as it will disintegrate (and is treated). Fencing lumber is often treated, too, so avoid that.

Affix the box to a sunny fence or wall (it should not be open to create a “wind tunnel” effect). If you don’t have a fence or wall upon which to position the box, add a back.

Fill it with 7-inch-long blocks of wood or small logs (so they fit within the 8-inch depth of the house) into which you have drilled small holes. A variety of solitary bees will use these tunnels as nest sites.

Drilling the Tunnels Inside the shell of the bee house, stack dry logs or sections of untreated timber, up to about 7 inches long to fit within the box. You can use found “logs” from A participant painting a “square-inch” garden in one of Sheryl’s workshops. your yard, or wood from building sites or building supply stores (which often www.squarefootgardening.org  #squarefootgardening 3 have scraps you can have for free). If you choose logs, make sure that they are on metal can lids. You can even not cracked or split, making it easier for pests or fungus spores to spread. It is stamp out a recipe name that the usually safer to use blocks of untreated building timber. plant will become (such as “pizza” for tomatoes), which is especially Drill a selection of holes into them of varying diameters between 2mm cute if you’re growing theme and 10mm but no bigger. The depth of the holes that you make depends gardens. Use pliers to pull the fork ultimately on the length of your drill bits; most drill bits are fairly short. If you tines apart slightly so that you can have longer drill bits, you can make the holes deeper, and the bees will still place the metal can lid in place. use them. Do not make a hole all the way through to the opposite side; bees Position the metal lid within the prefer a closed-end tunnel. tines and stick that in the ground. Yard sales and places like Goodwill The open ends of the holes should face outward and must be smooth are good sources for inexpensive and free of splinters, as should the entire length of the tunnel/cavity. This is knives, spoons, and forks. very important. If necessary, use a countersinking drill bit or sandpaper to clean and smooth the entrance to each hole; bees will not enter holes with Painted Rocks – Look for rocks rough splintered wood around them, as this can easily damage their wings. that have a flat side to make Carefully clean away any sawdust as this will also put them off. painting or stenciling easier. If you like the colors of the rock, just Siting the Bee House stencil the plant name. Otherwise, Position the bee house in full sun, facing southeast or south, at least 3 feet off paint the entire rock using acrylic the ground, with no vegetation in front of it obscuring the entrances to the paints. You can write the plant tunnels. Solitary bees rely on the sun’s heat to warm them up in the morning, name with a permanent marker hence the need for a sunny site. Unlike bumblebees, they have no furry coats (glitter pen, anyone?) The sky’s the to keep themselves warm! If you site your bee house in the shade or hidden limit with this idea. behind vegetation, it is unlikely to be used. A bee house must be firmly fixed, so that it does not swing or sway in the wind (so you should not hang it from ModPodge Seed Packets – Many a branch). of you will remember ModPodge, but if you aren’t familiar with it, it’s a decoupage staple that’s an DIY: Plant Markers all-in-one glue, sealer, and finish. Here’s another fun indoor project to It’s often used to adhere paper keep idle hands busy. Not only are to other objects. Take your actual plant markers attractive; they are seed packages (full of all that great practical. Sometimes, one new leaf growing information) and, using looks like another, so it’s good to a popsicle-type stick, brush the remind yourself what you planted. ModPodge over the entire packet Plus, it’s fun to decorate your garden with the stick inside the package. too. Nothing has to be fancy; in fact, Allow it to dry (standing up, if upcycling and recycling materials is the way to go. Let’s get started! possible). The surface will be clear, so you can read the packet. If you Stamped Metal – For the crafty set, this is fun. You can use knives (easiest) want something more decorative, or flatten metal spoons (place spoon between two pieces of solid wood you can download (free) images of and hammer until the bowl of the spoon is flat enough to stamp). Then, vintage seed packet art. just use a stamping kit to hammer out the plant name. This is especially pretty when you use knives or spoons of differing patterns, as long as they Popsicle Sticks – Of course, aren’t buried too deep. there’s always the uncomplicated method of using a permanent Or, if you have a can opener that removes lids completely and leaves edges marker to write a plant’s name on that are not sharp (important!), then stamping metal can lids is another way popsicle sticks. Not much can be to create a plant marker. Using the stamping kit, stamp out a plant’s name simpler than this.

www.squarefootgardening.org  #squarefootgardening 4 SPRING GARDENING preferences, time to harvest). These Seed Shoppping can be printed on a home printer and taped or glued to the seed Strategies envelope, which can either be letter We know, we know—it’s really envelopes or small Kraft envelopes. tempting to buy too many seeds, If you want to open the seed library what with all those colors and to the community, just post some amazing photos in the pretty spring notices on flyers or online (Facebook, gardening catalogs. It’s like a siren Nextdoor.com, and so on). It’s fine song for gardeners. But remember, to start small because this is an idea with the SFG method, you don’t that’ll keep growing. need to plant extra seeds; it’s just not necessary. But what’s an SFGer to do Seed Sources We Love when the desire to plant different If you’re not exchanging seeds via your seed library, then buy seeds from varieties is there, but you don’t want trusted sources. The quality and germination rates will be superior to others. to waste seeds? Here’s an idea: start Seed sources we like include Baker Creek, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, The Seed a seed library. Guy, and Renee’s Garden Seeds. If you have a favorite source, let us know by sharing on our Facebook page. Seed Exchanges These are growing in popularity, Seed Allocation - Garden Planning and even regular book libraries are Once you have a selection of seeds you want to plant this year, check their hosting seed exchanges. A seed ultimate size and determine if you’ll be planting 1, 4, 9, or 16 to a square. Take a library (also called a seed exchange) look at this image to remind yourself of spacing. That is, is the plant Extra Large is a way to share seeds (or even (1 plant per square), Large (4 plants per square), Medium (9 plants per square), seedlings) so you can share a variety or Small (16 plants per square) of seeds but only get the amount you need.

This would be a great thing to 1 2 3 4 1 2 present3 to your local4 gardening 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 groups, your neighborhood association, or to your local library. You can exchange seeds at a get-

5 6 7 8 5 6 together7 or set up8 a self-serve 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 collection point in an accessible public space. Even the Little Library boxes would be a great way to share seeds, though they 9 10 11 12 9 10 aren’t11 as weatherproof12 as other 9 10 11 12 9 10 11 12 locations. A simple wooden box to hold the seeds or even a variety of baskets is about all you need.

13 14 15 16 13 14 Ask15 each contributor16 to label an 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 16 envelope with the seed name and variety if known, such as Tomato The salad garden is planted with these vegetables, reading from top left: (1) Bibb lettuce ‘Yellow Pear.’ Adding some growing × 4; (2) Red romaine lettuce × 4; (3) Beet × 9; (4) Arugula × 4; (5) Freckled lettuce × 4; #3 CANNING GARDEN #4 CULINARY HERBinstructions GARDEN to duplicate a seed (6) Broccoli#5 rabe SALAD × 9; (7) Cauliflower GARDEN × 1; (8) Sugar snap peas × 8; (9) Leaf lettuce × 4; #6 SALSA GARDEN Consider a garden like this one if you like to can vegeta- Consider a garden like this one if you enjoy cooking with (10) CauliflowerHere is a× basic1; (11) SquareBroccoli rabe Foot × Garden9; (12) Sugar for snapsalad peas lovers. × 8; (13) This Arugula gar- × 4;Here’s a perfect garden collection if you like to make large bles to put away for the winter or to give away as gifts. herbs or drying them for craftpacket use. Note is a thatgood some idea squares (sun, water, soil (14) Redden romaine does lettuce not require× 4; (15) Radishesa trellis. × 16; (16) Bibb lettuce × 4. batches of delicious salsa. If you have trouble finding any of All the vegetables in this garden are suitable for canning contain two different herbs. This garden does not require these varieties, you can substitute others. They key to good www.squarefootgardening.org  #squarefootgardening 5 or pickling. Note that tomatoes will need a trellis or other a trellis. With judicious pruning, rosemary and lavender can The salad garden is planted with these vegetables, reading salsa is using a variety of peppers and tomatoes. Note that, from top left: (1) Bibb lettuce × 4; (2) Red romaine lettuce × 4; form of vertical support and should be placed on the north be grown in one grid square. Lemongrass should be grown again, tomatoes will need a vertical support in this garden (3) Beet × 9; (4) Arugula × 4; (5) Freckled lettuce × 4; (6) Broccoli side of your garden so as not to block out the light. as an annual. rabe × 9; (7) Cauliflower × 1; (8) Sugar snap peas × 8; (9) Leaf and should be grown on the north side to avoid shading the lettuce × 4; (10) Cauliflower × 1; (11) Broccoli rabe × 9; (12) Sugar other plants. The canning garden is planted with these vegetables, reading The culinary herb garden is planted with these vegetables, snap peas × 8; (13) Arugula × 4; (14) Red romaine lettuce × 4; from top left: (1) Large cucumber × 2; (2) Large cucumber × 2; reading from top left: (1) Italian parsley × 1; (2) Sweet (15) Radishes × 16; (16) Bibb lettuce × 4. The salsa garden is planted with these vegetables, reading (3) (4) Summer squash × 1; (5) White globe onion × 9; marjoram × 1; (3) Common chives × 8 and garlic chives × 8; from top left: (1) Red bell pepper × 1; (2) Cilantro × 1; (6) Bush bean × 9; (7) Cabbage × 1; (8) Large tomato × 1; (4) Lemon thyme × 1 and lime thyme × 1; (5) English thyme × 1 (3) Green tomatillo × 1; (4) Green tomatillo × 1; (5) Jalapeno (9) Sweet pepper × 1; (10) Bush bean × 9; (11) Carrot × 16; and French thyme × 1; (6) Lemongrass × 1; (7) Blue rosemary × 1; pepper × 1; (6) Purple onion × 9; (7) Pear tomato × 1; (8) Pear (12) Plum tomato × 1; (13) Carrot × 16; (14) Dill × 1; (15) Beet × 9; (8) Lemon verbena × 1; (9) Fernleaf dill × 1; (10) Provence tomato × 1; (9) Jalapeno pepper × 1; (10) White onion × 9; (16) Beet × 9. lavender × 2; (11) Sage × 1; (12) Tarragon × 1; (13) Lemon basil (11) Yellow pear tomato × 1; (12) Beefsteak tomato × 1; × 1; (14) Large-leaf basil × 4; (15) Sweet fennel × 1; (16) Italian (13) Ancho pepper × 1; (14) Cilantro × 1; (15) Purple tomatillo × 1; oregano × 1. (16) Purple tomatillo × 1.

54  aLL neW SQUaRe Foot GaRDeninG, 3RD e Dition pLanninG YoUR SQUaRe Foot GaRDen  55 SEED-STARTING TIPS Variety, Variety, Variety We often talk about the economics of starting from seed (and there are many!), but we don’t always talk about how much more planting variety you’ll have at your fingertips if you start your own seedlings. The big box stores, and even some garden centers, tend to stick to the tried-and-true varieties when spring newspaper (not a section with color) lengthwise. Wrap the newspaper comes. You can’t really blame them; around a cylinder; a juice can is good, leaving a “bottom” of about 2 they stay in the middle lane in order inches. Fold the bottom up around the bottom of the can; once that’s to appeal to the largest possible done, mash the can down against the folds to set the seams. Slide the number of consumers. But we are can out and roll the top to make a rim or lip. Then, fill with mix and plant. not limited to the tomato varieties • Grow lights – pretty important as a good, stable light source is needed ‘Brandywine’ or ‘Beefsteak.’ What if so that seedlings don’t stretch out and get leggy. we want to grow a purple tomato? • Fan – optional, but a gentle breeze helps “train” stronger stems. Or a yellow one? You can when you Start Growing start your own seeds. And it’s pretty Fill the seed-starting containers with the seed-starting mix and plant your straightforward. Here’s a short list of seeds at the depth noted on the seed packets. Water lightly; misting is good. tips to getting started. The seed-starting mix should be kept damp (like a wrung-out sponge) Supplies Needed but not wet. Place in a warm location until the seeds germinate. On top You will need a few supplies, some of a refrigerator is the classic location—for good reason. Once the seeds of which you can repurpose from sprout, move them to a cooler location (a garage can be used for this if the what you have at home, but these temperatures are in the mid-60s or a room that’s a little cooler than the rest generally aren’t expensive. of the house). If you’ve used peat or newspaper pots, you can just plant them • Seeds from your favorite later, pot and all, but open up the bottoms so that it’s easier for the roots to source. (We like Renee’s grow. Garden, Johnny’s Seeds, Baker Creek, The Seed Guy—you probably have favorites too.) Try Grow Lights— something new this year; really push the seed packet envelope. Better than Ever • Seed-starting mix – this is not Grow lights are helpful for seed- soil. It’s a special blend with starting because you can leave exceptional drainage of a sterile them on as much as needed, and medium just for seed-starting. they provide a consistent amount • Containers – these can be peat of light. Most vegetable seedlings need 16 to 18 hours of light per day to get pots that you buy or containers started, which is not available with natural light in late winter to early spring. you repurpose (such as yogurt Grow lights replicate outdoor light by using full spectrum bulbs, which cups), but anything repurposed provide a balance of cool and warm lights like the natural solar range. You must have drainage holes want a good, stocky, sturdy seedling when it’s time to transplant. Not only are punched in them. You can grow lights great for seed-starting, but they are also good for houseplants as make pots out of newspaper well, so you can consider them a year-round investment. too. Just fold a sheet of www.squarefootgardening.org  #squarefootgardening 6 PERCENTAGE OF GERMINATION APPENDIX 2 This chart indicates the percentage of normal vegetable seedlings produced at different temperatures. CROP 32˚F 41˚F 50˚F 59˚F 68˚F 77˚F 86˚F 95˚F Beans 0 0 1 97 90 97 47 39 PLANTING CHARTS Cabbage 0 27 78 93 — 99 — — Carrots 0 48 93 95 96 96 95 74

GERMINATION TIMES AND TEMPERATURES Corn 0 0 47 97 97 98 91 88 This chart shows the number of days required for vegetable seeds to sprout at different temperatures. Cucumbers 0 0 0 95 99 99 99 99

Eggplant — — — — 21 53 60 — CROP 32˚F 41˚F 50˚F 59˚F 68˚F 77˚F 86˚F 95˚F Lettuce 98 98 98 99 99 99 12 0

Beans 0 0 0 16 11 8 6 6 Muskmelons — — — — 38 94 90 —

Onions 90 98 98 98 99 97 91 73 Beets — 42 17 10 6 5 5 5 Parsley — — 63 — 69 64 50 —

Peas — 89 94 93 93 94 86 0 Cabbage — — 15 9 6 5 4 — Peppers 0 0 1 70 96 98 95 70

Carrots 0 51 17 10 7 6 6 9 Radishes 0 42 76 97 95 97 95 —

Spinach 83 96 91 82 52 28 32 0 Cauliflower — — 20 10 6 5 5 — Tomatoes 0 0 82 98 98 97 83 46

Corn 0 0 22 12 7 4 4 3 0 = Little or no germination — = Not tested adapted from J. F. harrington agricultural extension Leaflet, 1954. Cucumbers 0 0 0 13 6 4 3 3 Grow lights are easier than ever to Eggplant — — — — 13 8 5 — find. They’re available in big box SPRING INDOOR SEED-STARTING SCHEDULE CROP Weeks Before Weeks After Lettuce 49 15 7 4 3 2 3 0 stores, virtually all garden centers, and online. You can even set up your 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 Muskmelons — — — — 8 4 3 — own grow lights using regular shop Broccoli Cabbage lights and switch out the bulbs. Onions 136 31 13 7 5 4 4 13 Parsley

Cauliflower Parsley — — 29 17 14 13 12 — When to Begin Onions Peas — 36 14 9 8 6 6 — Eggplant Peppers Peppers 0 0 0 25 13 8 6 9 Seed-Starting Lettuce

The chart pictured, right, excerpted Swiss Chard Radishes 0 29 11 6 4 4 3 — from All New Square Foot Gardening, Tomatoes

Spinach 63 23 12 7 6 5 6 0 3rd Edition, is a helpful guide to Summer Squash spring planting. Take a look at it, pull Cucumbers Tomatoes 0 0 43 14 8 6 6 9 out your calendar (digital or print), Muskmelons

0 = Little or no germination — = Not tested and start plotting your seed-starting. = Indoor Growth, started with seeds = Plants ready for transplanting adapted from J. F. harrington agricultural extension Leaflet, 1954.

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TheThe moral: moral: to beto abe true a true Square Square Foot Foot Gardener, Gardener, practice practice bothbothFor directions Forplantsmedium-sized directions medium-sized per and square, and vegetablesscribe scribe dividevegetables lines lines the calling in in square calling thethe for soil into ninefor with ninethirds in pokeForgrid Forsquare,small square,four small vegetablesholes just vegetables just dividein eachdivide calling the section calling thegrid for gridinto to 16for markplants 16quarters,into plants planting quarters,per pergridthen grid given 1-footThe best square way tocan really grow understand is to look at how the muchinstructions produce a diversity in your garden. plantsplants per persquare, square, divide divide the thesquare square into into thirds thirds in in square,square, just just divide divide the thegrid grid into into quarters, quarters, then then TheThe best best way way to really to really understand understand how how much much produce produce a adiversity diversity in your in your garden. garden. youryour finger.both finger. directions Mark the the and center scribe ofof lineseacheach insection section the soil to to with spots.thenpoke poke four 4 holes in in each each section section to markto mark planting on thegiven seed 1-foot packet. square Look can for grow “thin is to” to spacinglook at thedirections; instructions if PLANTING TIME markbothboth directions nine directions planting and andspots. scribe scribe lines lines in the in thesoil soilwith with pokepoke four four holes holes in each in each section section to mark to mark planting planting givengiven 1-foot 1-foot square square can can grow grow is to is look to look at the at the instructions instructions mark nineyour plantingfinger. 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Garden can really be planted in any season other than manymany plants plants a single a single 12 ×12 12-inch × 12-inch grid grid square square can can hold. hold. Garden Garden can can really really be beplanted planted in anyin any season season other other than than 144  aLL neW SQUaRe Foot GaRDeninG, 3RD e Dition pLantinG YoUR SQUaRe Foot GaRDen  145 144  aLL neW SQUaRe Foot GaRDeninG, 3RD e Dition pLantinG YoUR SQUaRe Foot GaRDen  145 144 144 a LL a neLL Wne SQUW SQUaRea RFoote Foot Ga RDGaeninRDeninG, 3RDG, 3RD e D itione Dition pLantinpLantinG YoG URYo URSQU SaQURea RFoote Foot Ga RDGaenRD en 145  145 SFG QUICK TIPS High Value Get Help: Location! Spring Veggies Find a Certified Location! Instructor Near Location! You

Who doesn’t like to get more bang

A Square Foot Garden for their buck? It’s practically bred into will be easier to tend and harvest if you position it close to your home. It is us to be as efficient as possible, and also easier to admire if it is growing vegetables is no exception. closer to the home. Planting high-value spring veggies makes perfect sense when you’re feeding people. ValueA Square can Foot Garden mean can grow an impressive number of plants. different things, Amongbut a the quick core innovations and that make today’s Square Foot shouldn’t use it. The best results come if you make your own Gardening methods so very different from traditional gar- growing medium—the fabulous formula Mel Bartholomew easy harvest is chiefdening among methods are the them. following. You can think of these as created, which we call Mel’s Mix. That means manythe greens 10 principles ofare Square high- Foot Gardening: 1. Plant densely. Don’t waste space. You can grow a lot of produce in much less space that you dreamed possible. A value veggies, as wellhuge row as garden root just isn’t crops necessary—placing a few Square Foot Garden beds in a relatively small space can be more (radishes, anyone).productive It can than also a large rowrefer garden tothat occupies a good the actual cost of portiongrowing of your yard. specific 2. Grow up. The greatest productivity comes by growing up, not out. A variety of easy-to-build trellis structures allow vegetables. What viningcosts vegetables the to least use the verticalto plane rather than sprawling out and taking up space, as they do in a tradi- grow? Again, greenstional rowpredominate. garden. 4. GardenWhen close to you your home. are Gardens starting are more efficient your when youSquare can admire them and tend them easily, rather If you’re new to Square Foot when planted close to your house, not in a distant plot. It’s than carrying tools out to a distant garden and lugging pro- 3. Mel’s Mix, not garden soil. You don’t need garden soil at human nature to pay attention to what is close by hand, duce back to the house. Here’s a little “equation” to help you Mel’s Mix is the key to the productivity for which Square Foot Foot Garden, consider its location all to grow great vegetables. You not only don’t need it butGardening—or Gardening is famous. even if you’re and Square Foot Gardens need to be close to your house figure out what is “high value.” in relation to your home. Of 30 aLL neW SQUaRe Foot GaRDeninG, 3RD e Ditionnot—it might be helpful to locate the 10 BaSicS anD 8 StepS oF SQUaRe Foot GaRDeninG 31  course, it’s more important to site  Some of the early high-value spring a Certified Instructor (CI) near you to use as a resource. where the best sun exposure is, vegetables include: but siting it as close to the house Spinach - plant early in spring CIs receive updates and new as possible means you’ll be more Mustard greens – relatively fast- likely to visit the garden daily. If growing information from the SFG Foundation that could be helpful your Square Foot Garden is close to Radish - quick to mature the house, deck, or patio, you’ll be Leaf lettuce – as long as temperatures to you. They’ll also be able to share their knowledge as experienced able to keep an eye on it. Having remain cool, lettuces will grow the boxes near sidewalks or other Radicchio – early spring planting Square Foot Gardeners as well as the experiences of those whom traffic paths also makes it easier needed to tend them and will simplify Herbs - some do need a little they’ve taught and consulted with. harvesting produce. Ideally, your warmth and drier conditions than Our Certified Instructors are ready, SFG boxes should be visible from some of us have in spring willing, and able to help further inside the house. Consider the Leek - plant in spring; harvest in our mission. rooms you use the most, and if late summer suitable garden spots are available Turnip - must plant early in spring if within view of those rooms, use you didn’t plant in fall them. Keeping an eye on things is Learn more about which veggies are not only for your pleasure but for the highest value to grow by reading the garden’s protection. You’ll be our book Square Foot Gardening able to spot problems like feeding High-Value Veggies: Homegrown CI Shannon Ditz works with Huron County deer or neighborhood pets before Master Gardeners and other volunteers to Produce Ranked by Value. create a huge community garden of SFGs. they can wreak havoc. www.squarefootgardening.org  #squarefootgardening 8 IN THE KITCHEN WITH SFG (Modern) Potato-Leek Soup Sautéed Greens

There aren’t many things more comforting on a cold winter’s day than Any greens—including kale, a bowl of potato soup. Most recipes are fairly high in fat since they are mustard, arugula, chard, beet cream- or milk-based. But this recipe uses vegetable broth and coconut greens—can be used in this recipe. milk to lighten up the base and provide a healthier option. And after our It’s perfect year-round, but it’s holiday season, who doesn’t want to be more health-conscious… until the especially good in the winter as a next holiday. garlicky, spicy side dish.

• 3 leeks (white and light green parts only), cleaned and chopped • 1 pound mixed greens, cleaned • 2 teaspoons olive oil • Salt • 1 small white onion, chopped • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and • 2 cloves garlic, minced chopped • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth • ¼ cup olive oil plus more for • 4 medium potatoes, peeled (Yukons are good but use what you have) drizzling • 2 celery stalks, chopped • 1 hot pepper, minced, or ½ • ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh, finely chopped teaspoon red pepper flakes • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary or 2 teaspoons fresh, finely chopped • ¾ teaspoon salt Cook the greens in boiling salted • ½ teaspoon pepper water to cover for 5 minutes or • •½ cup coconut (or regular) milk until tender. Drain. Squeeze the water from the greens; chop them if In a large pot over medium heat, add the leeks, olive oil, and onion; cook 5 desired and set aside. minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the vegetable broth, potatoes, and celery; bring to a boil. Reduce Sauté the garlic in the ¼ cup olive heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 30 to 40 minutes or until oil in a medium skillet over medium vegetables are tender. heat for 1 minute. Add the hot pepper and sauté for 1 minute. Add the thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Using an immersion blender or Add the greens and a little bit more food processor (working in batches), blend the soup until it’s smooth. (If you water to the skillet. Increase the heat like a “rustic” texture, then purée just part of the vegetables.) to high and cook, stirring for 3 to 4 minutes until the water evaporates. Add milk to soup; simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes or until the soup Drizzle with more olive oil to taste has thickened. Enjoy! and season with more salt. www.squarefootgardening.org  #squarefootgardening 9 FEATURED SQUARE FOOT GARDENS

Photo credit: Wendy Gibson When Wendy Gibson shared this picture of her grandson Ruebin Zane Begoon, we immediately asked if we could feature him in the newsletter. This is one great gardener! He gardens at his grandma’s family farm where they raise mini-bulls for rodeo and keep horses for riding. The garden is right by his house. Wendy says, “He really enjoyed puttering around the garden with me this summer. I gave him one 4x4’ bed for his cabbage and its marigold companions. It was his first solo gardening adventure.” His green thumb and 15.4 pound cabbage won him a $1,000 scholarship. Congratulations, Ruebin. Keep growing!

www.squarefootgardening.org  #squarefootgardening 10 SFG ON THE ROAD! An Inspirational Visit with CI Wayne Burleson We (Laura and Steve) had the pleasure of meeting up with CI Wayne Burleson during the 2019 National Heirloom Expo in Santa Rosa, California. Let’s hear what Wayne has to say:

The Square Foot Garden Foundation is pleased to be a 2020 sponsor and partner with the Mother Earth News Fairs for all four events. In 2020, the Mother Earth News Fairs will be exhibiting in Belton, Texas (February 15-16); in Nashville, Tennessee (May 16-17); at Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia (July 17-18); and in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania (September 25-27).

Each event includes money-saving hacks, health-boosting remedies, and environmental strategies. It’s all SFG in Guatemala here through presentations, hands- Cultiva International, a nonprofit based in Guatemala, has embraced the on workshops, and a marketplace Square Foot Gardening method to help empower women and other filled with innovative resources individuals to grow their own food, and thus improve their nutrition, and and products. These fairs are ideal to become more self-sufficient. In this video Greg Jensen explains what’s destinations to visit with like- the same about Square Foot Gardening in Guatemala and what’s different. minded enthusiasts from across the Thanks Greg! country and across a range of fields.

CI Wayne Schirner will be presenting at the Texas event, and CI Kim Roman will be presenting at the Polyface Farm event. Come out and visit with us personally!

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