Square Foot Gardening: Intensive Planting in Raised Beds for Higher Yields

Concept

Developed by Mel Bartholomew, square foot gardening uses 4×4 ft (or similar) raised beds framed with rot‑resistant wood. Plants are spaced densely in a grid—e.g., 16 carrots, 9 bush beans, or 1 tomato per square foot.

Benefits

• No soil compaction (never walk in beds).
• Higher yields per area.
• Efficient watering and fertilizing.
• Less weeding.
• Easy crop rotation by bed.
• Vertical trellises at north end for vining crops.

Getting Started

Read Bartholomew’s Square Foot Gardening and visit squarefootgardening.com for plans and planting charts.