Due to the disappointing results last year, I decided to modify the SFG method slightly and also conform more to the method.
The variation is a soaker hose at the bottom of the garden box to make sure the roots don't get dry. This was a major issue last year. I will also introduce a timer so the garden gets watered on a regular basis - even if I am not there...
I was trying to stay away from water from the tap (faucet) because of the Chlorine and other chemicals. But I am thinking - some produce is better than no produce!
I can always water from rain water when I have it - and then switch to city water when needed.
Here is more moo-nure - to mix with the Square Foot Garden soil. I also mixed in some compost from my heap.
I decided to conform more to the Square Foot Method by placing the boxes closer to the house.
The idea is that you care more likely to take care of the plants if they are close to the house...
I also went for wooden boxes. I could not be bothered to re-place the concrete blocks as it takes so much work to get every block level (took days last year).
Slapping four bits of wood together makes it so much easier. Just slap the wood frame on some weed block and away you go...
I used untreated wood - so not to have chemicals leaching in. It may last 3 years or so - but that is ok.
I moved the tomato plants closer to the house also.
Going to grow beefsteak tomatoes this year.
I seriously want to shoot some squirrels this year to protect my garden.
Attack of the Trees!!
Here is the main reason I moved the square foot boxes. The Oak tree moved into my garden!
I had weed block - but not tree block! This was quite unexpected. Nearly all the the box was taken up with tree roots - sapping all the nutrients off from my plants!
Above is what was left once I ripped out all the earth. and shook out the roots.
Some of these roots were quite thick - hard to pull or break.
I am supposed to plant four strawberry plants per square. I settled for 3 as it was hard to fit them in.
I started with four plants last year - which I put in two squares. This has multiplied to 10 squares!
These things plant them selves like a spider plant!
Kiwi has started the season well. Just need to get it to glow across the middle on the three cables.
