tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369822688033191522.post8608576371777202176..comments2023-06-27T05:53:22.464-07:00Comments on Anywhere Eden: The Square Foot MethodAnywhereEdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243890948543124146noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369822688033191522.post-78767032011648207952013-01-26T08:57:34.767-08:002013-01-26T08:57:34.767-08:00I would suggest saving your raised bed space for p...I would suggest saving your raised bed space for plants that need better nutrition. Most perennial herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano are very sturdy. They can grow very large and don't require as much nutrition as more tender crops. As a general rule, you can stick these herbs into any rocky little nook you'd like and they will do fine. Just give them space, sunshine, and some water the first year you plant them or during major droughts. Perennial herbs are ridiculously hardy and if you have limited garden space it would be a waste to use the raised beds for them. I hope this is helpful!<br />AnywhereEdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08243890948543124146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369822688033191522.post-79799747833916090622013-01-19T19:32:53.186-08:002013-01-19T19:32:53.186-08:00Oh, okay. Carrots were actually the first thing th...Oh, okay. Carrots were actually the first thing that came to mind when I read that. This will be my first year with raised beds. I often mound the soil in my garden before I plant anything, but that's the extent of "raising" the soil that I've done. This will also be my first herb garden. I had some of the basic herbs last year, but I want to start some perennials this year. I'm thinking raised beds would be good for that. I have been reading your blog on and off all day. I love it! Keep up the good work! -KimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369822688033191522.post-47989590929695063372013-01-19T11:05:29.414-08:002013-01-19T11:05:29.414-08:00Yes, and no. My larger beds were built before I l...Yes, and no. My larger beds were built before I learned about the square foot method, and the whiskey barrels are, of course, deeper than 6". The small bed I refer to as the "pumpkin bed" is only 6" deep though. Most plants like leafy greens, broccoli, squashes, and legumes such as beans and peas don't actually have deep root systems. Root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and turnips do tend to have deeper roots. You obviously can't grow an 8" long carrot in only 6" of soil. So long as the shallow rooting veggies have adequate nutrients and water, and lateral room to spread they seem to do fine in the shallow beds. If you are importing soil and amendments this can save you a lot of money! A bed of pumpkins, zucchini, onions, beans, peas, lettuce, kale, spinach... everything should grow just fine. The only real issue develops if there is a shortage of moisture or nutrients, which can happen quickly in a full bed of veggies with only 6" of soil. Normally a plant in dry soil would stretch its roots deeper to seek out water, and deeper soil takes longer to dry out anyway. I've found I do have to water that bed more often, and renew the nutrients in it every year. But the plants do great! Keep reading the posts and you'll see that my pumpkin bed has grown some outstanding pumpkins, zucchini and beans the past two years, and it was very cost and space efficient as well.AnywhereEdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08243890948543124146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369822688033191522.post-17502597614295353052013-01-19T10:21:34.730-08:002013-01-19T10:21:34.730-08:00Are your beds really only 6" deep? That just ...Are your beds really only 6" deep? That just doesn't seem like enough room for the roots!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com