Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2007

Blog Action Day - Square Foot Gardening & The Environment

Today over fifteen thousand blogs with twelve million readers will be blogging on one topic - The Environment. Each of my blogs are participating, each from a different perspective so be sure to read them all.

Square Foot Garden Bed
2006

If you have been reading this blog you will know we moved here in late June so have not set up the new vegetable and herb beds. When deciding on an environmental topic for Blog Action Day, I decided to revisit square foot gardening. I've used the square foot gardening method combined with companion planting for a number of years to grow organically. My new beds while not in a formal garden setting as my last garden will be planted in the same method. It is one of the most environmentally friendly style of gardening.

The method was the brainchild of Mel Bartholomew. Square foot gardening is based on gardening in raised beds using a grid system for form square feet. Herbs, vegetables, fruit or flowers are planted in each square based on the recommended density. When one square is harvested, it is replanted to keep a succession of crops. Often a small amount of soil is removed during this process and replenished with fresh soil so the soil is constantly being turned over creating a no till method. The soil is amended as needed with an emphasis on organic matter. Garden beds set up in the square foot method quickly set their own cycle. They are very easy to maintain!

The square foot bed pictured is one of the eight beds from my previous garden. A small portion of the herb bed is also shown. Plants are encouraged to grow upwards using trellises or other types of supports. What is amazing is the amount of food that can be produced in such a small area using this method. A typical square foot bed will produce the same harvest as a traditional row garden in 20% of the space. The raised beds and grid can be made from recycled materials as well. Old window blinds are ideal for constructing the grid, keeping them out of the landfill. All of these factors result in an environmental win-win situation. In many areas workable land is becoming scarce. Urban lot sizes in many cases are too small to garden traditionally. Digging a garden in rental units is often not allowed but the design of the raised bed is such that they be placed on legs and taken with you when you move. The method is ideal for those with only balcony space as well.

Square foot gardening is the ideal, environmentally friendly choice for anyone wanting a high yield garden in a small space!

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2007

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums
October 7, 20007

When we moved here in June I was not expecting any edible plants so I was quite pleased to discover strawberries and parsley. A few weeks ago I noticed the greens of nasturtiums. When they began flowering I was elated. I had planted nasturtiums a couple of years ago in my old gardens. For some reason they did not reseed so I planted them again. With the move, the idea of nasturtiums was put off until next year when I plant the new herb and vegetable gardens.

Nasturtiums are herbs that have a decorative foliage with brightly coloured edible flowers. The blooms on mine are orange and yellow with deeper orange centres but they can range from a creamy yellow to a deep rust with colours in between. They spead easily and for the most part like most herbs are rather problem free. While snails do not seem to bother nasturtiums I do know from experience that slugs like them. I harvested several slugs from the nasturtiums the other day in the early morning hours. That is the only problem I have had with them. They make ideal companion plants for almost all vegetables and herbs with the exception of fennel.

Nasturtiums will self seed in milder climates and will quickly take over any area where they are planted. The flowers have a sweet, peppery taste that is well suited for salads and vinegars. The plants grow well in partial sun but prefer full sun and can be either compact or trailing. My plants appear to be compact growing in four locations all partially shaded. I have the problem of not knowing whether the previous owner planted them this spring or whether they were already established. I think from the pattern that they are established but I will not know for sure until next spring.

At any rate do consider planting these lovely herbs. Their flowers are gorgeous and tasty. They are sure to please making a wonderful addition to your gardens.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2007

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2007