Cheap and Easy Way to Start a Garden

Have you always wanted a garden but didn’t know how to start it? This infographic has it all – supplies, steps for building it, steps to garden, what plants to use, and how to maintain it. Don’t get overwhelmed, though – it’s simpler than you imagined! Check out infographic below for details.

The technique used here is called square foot gardening. As you might imagine, the garden is segmented into 4’X4′ squares. This design make it very easy to design and maintain your garden. Additionally, it becomes very easy not to overcrowd the plants by having too many in too small of a space.

If you don’t believe me that this technique is cheap, to set it up, all you need is $50. That’s it! With this, you get wood screws, nylon string, and boards for setting up your garden bed, as well as seeds, compost, and other items to keep your soil healthy.

First, screw the board together to make the frame. Once you have the frame, place it in a sunny part of your yard so your plants will get plenty of energy. Make sure there is cardboard or a weed-blocking fabric under the frame to save you from the hassle of weeding later.

Next, you’ll need some soil inside the bed. A good combination for healthy soil is 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 coarse vermiculite. Don’t sweat it if you haven’t heard of peat moss and coarse vermiculite – just check out your local gardening store and they’ll help you out with it! Mix these ingredients up and smooth it into the bed.

Then, put nylon string over the bed so there are 16 even squares. These are your plant segments! Per segment, you can have:

• 1 large plant, like tomatoes, eggplants, or sweet bell peppers
• 4 medium plants, like lettuce, strawberries, or celery
• or 9 smaller plants, like spinach, kale, or radishes

Plant these in alternating squares to balance out the nutrients in the soil. Different plants take out and give back different nutrients, so having a variety of plants in a single patch keeps the soil healthy and nutritious! Also, don’t include invasive plants like horseradish, blackberries, and raspberries. These will take over your garden if you plant them! If you want them, do it all in a separate square from other plants.

Now you’ve got your garden started! From here, follow the seed packet instructions for watering. Within 40-60 days, most vegetables are ready to be harvested, and then you’ll see the products of your hard labor.

So don’t wait! It’s time to get your garden started! Consult the infographic below for more detailed information on square foot gardening, and grow plants in an easier, cheaper fashion!