Square Foot Gardening

This summer we are venturing into the world of square foot gardening. My friend Rowena is a certified SF gardener and I am learning so much from her. See the crazy strings? We've divided the garden by placing nails along the frame at one foot intervals and stringing a grid. Each square foot is treated as its own garden. We just finished harvesting most of the spring crops and are replanting for the summer.

It has been very warm here this spring so I took a slight gamble that paid off. I planted heirloom red okra in four of my squares and they made it. I already have baby okras emerging. I was very surprised as I didn't notice the flowers. I happen to think okra flowers are very attractive. I hope this red variety has lovely flowers too. 

(June 1st: Correction. These were the flowers! The okra are a milder red color. I discovered this when I found the spent blossom on the soil next to the plant. Missed its opening, but am happily anticipating the rest.) 

The warm spring wasn't such good news for the peas though. Although they are producing, I had hoped for better growth. The best growth they had was during a mild cold snap which leads me to think the warm spring is at fault for the small vines. I brought in some peas the other day and watched the kids shell them with delight. About half made it into the container. The rest were eaten! I hope to get a few more tonight to cook up a nice batch for dinner. 

Here are tomatoes, okra, left over lettuce, and several varieties of hot peppers. We planted eight different varieties of peppers.  If it is as hot this year as they predict, the peppers should do really well.  

Do you garden? Planting seeds and watching the development of a plant is a great for igniting the curiosity of children. A simple pot by the door can grow tomatoes all summer long. All it takes to begin is one square foot!