Billy wrote:
In article ,
Jeff Thies wrote:

As someone with limited sun space, square foot gardening has some
appeal. Looking at the planting density charts, they look a lot like
suggested plant to plant spacing for normal gardening. The difference
appears to be that row spacing is thrown out.

I'm not sure I see many advantages in using raised beds over a well
prepared normal bed. I would think that with my lack of late afternoon
to evening sun that the increased density due to the reduced row spacing
would yield less total sun per plant. It looks to me that the real
advantages are primarily in water usage, along with easier care. That's
not a big deal for me as I have the drippers and mulch ready, and the
plot is well weeded.

I've been moving plants from seed starters to small pots and
gradually putting these in the ground as they achieve some size. So,
it's not too late to give SFG a try, but I'm not convinced it's worth my
effort. Differing opinions?

Jeff

"There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments."
-- Janet Kilburn Phillips

The advantage of raised beds may be mostly to older backs.

Gardening is a matter of your enthusiasm holding up until your back gets
used to it.
-- Synonymous

It also makes it easier for excess water to run off, leaving the bed
warmer.

I know from nuthin' about SFG, but in general, it is a bad idea to have
leaves overlapping. The saying about peppers "that they should hold
hands" (just touch), I think applies to other plants too. Sunlight
hitting the ground, is sunlight that isn't making glucose.


I've heard about this light sharing arrangement between corn and pole
beans. At least it does no harm to the corn. I wonder if there are not
other light symbiotic relationships. I see no harm in letting the
cucurbits intrude on the tomatoes, what harm could there be, there's
sunlight hitting the ground there. The cucurbits could run off if need be.

http://www.gardensablaze.com/Compani...anionYield.htm

list marigold and carrots as compatible with peppers. Seems to me they
all crave light and only the peppers would be happy. It would seem most
herbs would be happier under the peppers.

I'm thinking the Gardens Blaze link has more to do with chemical
compatibility, perhaps soil preferences. Reminds me of that Daffodil who
fends off all comers while looking dazzling.

BTW, thanks for all the info on soil structure, it'll take me some
time to get through it!


Let us know how your foray into SFG works out.

I've got a short unused driveway, but I'm thinking containers, more
than frames. Easier to reclaim the driveway, at least. Although also
easier for someone to drive off with my garden!

The next project is more likely to be the vacant overgrown lot across
the street. I don't mind the overgrown (happy hunting ground for the
cats), but I'm thinking berry patch. Maybe wildflowers. Wild
strawberries thrive against the retaining wall, maybe move some
commercial pups over... All my bricks and stone came from there, I
should put something better back.

Jeff