All new square foot gardening The world's most popular growing method to harvest more food from less space

The Square Foot Gardening method aims to maximize efficiency in the vegetable garden using techniques originally developed by retired engineer Mel Bartholomew in the 1970s. Gardeners build raised beds that are divided into one-foot by one-foot sections and filled with a prescribed combination of compost, peat moss, and vermiculite (called Mel's Mix) conducive to growing a wide range of flowers, herbs, vegetables, and some fruits. This approach is highly structured--in addition to the growing medium, readers are provided with charts detailing the number of plants of a specific type that can grow in each grid. Readers have flexibility in choosing which plants to grow and how to adapt the square foot garden bed to their needs, both in terms of construction materials and with the accessories they can build to create vertical growing spaces, to protect plants from cold or heat, and to provide a deeper growing space for root vegetables. Instructions for building the beds and accessories are generously supplemented with clearly labeled photographs. Backmatter includes an index as well as information on planting, growing, harvesting, and storage for more than 70 crops. VERDICT A useful guide for gardeners who are looking for a systematic approach to growing their own food.--Judy Poyer