The Grid Sets the Square Foot Garden Apart

Square Foot Gardening is done in raised beds. Ive found that many people assume they are gardening this way simply because they are using boxes or raised beds.  This is not the case! The grid is key to the method and gives organization and a uniqueness to the garden.  It is basically a planting guide that sits in the box on top of the soil. The grid promotes a new way of spacing the plants. Small vegetables like onions and carrots  are spaced with 16 of them per 12" square. Medium sized vegetables like beans and beets are spaced with 9 per 12" square.  Large varieties like lettuce and spinach are spaced 4 per square. Extra large plants like tomato and pepper are planted 1 per 12" square.This planting method with a grid is what Square Foot Gardening is all about. This is how you  can save 90% of the space over a traditional garden. In fact, if you do not use a grid, I guarantee you will revert to row gardening; I think its just in our genes handed down from generations of traditional farming.  We've been conditioned to think that our home gardens must mimic the acre plot on the farm with long rows and wide aisles. Unfortunately, this is overwhelming for many and creates hard work and endless weeding.  Remarkably,with Square Foot Gardening,this does not have to be the case, and there is no heavy digging, tilling or weeding!