A Gardening Adventure

Last year, Brenton and I had a very successful crop of tomatoes, zucchini, and herbs. This year we did some research, and decided to attempt square-foot gardening. Here are the steps we did to begin our garden.

Step 1. Acquire wood and soil to build boxes for plants. We got wood from the scrap pile at CFC Fencing in South Provo. They leave all the fencing they tear out just outside their property for anyone to pick up for free. Awesome. Also, with square-foot gardening, the soil is really important, so we ordered ours from Wolf Mountain through a friend who works there.

 You can see our soil in the background

Brenton ingeniously constructed all our boxes. 

Step 2. Clear space in your garden plot for the boxes.

Brenton was our hero, and cleared away all the prickly branches.

Step 3. Purchase plants and seeds. I don't have a picture of our trip to the store, but we managed to get two $40 gift certificates to McCord's garden center for $13 apiece through Groupon. It was a smart move, and we were able to get the following starter plants: cilantro, basil, oregano, rosemary, tomatoes, Grape tomatoes, Jalapeños, Red Bell peppers, Spring onions, pumpkins, Butternut squash, lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini. We also got seeds for corn, more pumpkins, watermelon, sugar baby watermelon, cantelope, honeydew, and green beans. YUM!!!

Step 4. Plant Boxes. Before putting down the boxes, instead of going out and buying expensive ground cloth that "supposedly" keeps weeds out (I've heard it doesn't really work), lay down sheets of newspaper. It's much cheaper, free in fact if you used your junk mail, and for us, The Daily Universe. Make sure the newspaper goes past the box, so no weeds creep inside. Fill the box with your good soil, then plant the plants!

I only had stamina to plant the first two boxes before I was tuckered out. Here's our pepper box, and our herb box. You can do approximately 4 plants per box. 

Step 5. Take a nap. You may feel this step isn't important, but believe me. It's crucial!! 

I love how Ry-guy's snugging a Wii remote. Precious. 

Step 6. Plant the rest of the boxes. 

While it's not required, cute gardening boots are a big help. 

We are very proud of our boxes! 

Step 7. Plant the melons, corn, pumpkins, squash, and lettuce in the sandier natural soil in your backyard, but make sure the soil is turned, and fertilized. I did this while Brenton was at work, so I didn't take any pictures of it. 

Step 8. Once everything has been planted, compost the entire garden. Again, I did this while Brenton was at work, so no picture. 

Step 9. Make support structures for the plants to grow vertically in the boxes. We used plastic netting and bamboo poles. For the tomatoes, we just put tomato cages right in the box. 

Step 10. Place newspaper around all the garden boxes, and around all plants that have already sprouted. This makes it so you don't have to weed all summer. We did this last year, and didn't have to mulch once. It's a Southern garden trick from my mother's best friend. 

See, there really is a use for The Daily Universe! By the time I was done gardening that day, all my shorts were covered in dirt, so I had to start wearing Brenton's. 

Step 11. Wet down the newspaper. If you don't get it wet quickly, it won't stay where you put it, even if you mulch and then wet it. You need to completely soak the newspaper before you do anything else.

 Going for the reach. Our hose only goes so far, so you have to get creative.

We use a hose attachment called a rainmaker. It's really great because it waters well without disturbing the soil from the high pressure of the hose by itself. 

Once everything's been watered, cover the whole garden with mulch to seal in the moisture, and keep the newspaper in place. My favorite mulch is red cedar, because it smells so good and looks so pretty. 

And there you have it!! We are so excited about our garden this summer. I can't wait to see how everything turns out. So those of you who live in Provo, now would be the time to start buttering up to us to get your hands on fresh fruits and veggies this summer!