I'm going to be putting together a stackable grow box for potatoes, for my partner's birthday (I say that because I know grow bags would be much cheaper, this is a gift so don't mind the added cost).

My question is, as somebody who has no idea about gardening, what dimensions should it be? Ideally, I'd use about 18" x 30" of space, but if extending that to 24" or 36" means we can add an extra plant, then I may as well do that. All those city builders coming into play when thinking about the perfect layout...

The box will also be used for carrots, and potentially other things for following harvests if we haven't moved on to larger beds by then.

Thanks!

Each day a wee bit closer.

Hi all,

I'm planning out my first garden and have a few plants I know will need support (esp the cucumbers and pole beans), but I'm having a hard time figuring out what trellis to use for just one square each. Any links you can share? Does just a tomato cage work?

First time with raised beds after some years of peppers, tomatoes, and herbs in containers. Any feedback?

This is two 4x4 beds with a 1x3 at the back of the aisle between them that's crossed off in white. Trellis netting all along the back (north), 5ft tall. Tomatoes are a mix of 1lb and 1oz types and will be supported on the trellis.

I care most about the peppers and herbs. Corn and cukes are mostly exploration with the kids.

Specifically: -Can the tomatoes make it with that amount of space if they have the trellis? -Any different place for the corn?

Trying again since I am bad at Reddit 🤦‍♀️

I have had a small raised bed in my yard for a few years but wanted more space. I got a community garden plot that is 20x20 and planned it out like this ... but when I went today to start working on the plot it doesn't seem like others are going to be planting this densely. Have I gone too far haha? I'll also be growing lettuce and other herbs like parsley, chives, cilantro, etc. at my house for easier access, so I wanted to use the plot mainly to grow more tomatoes and try new things (cucumbers, melons, alliums, pumpkins, beans, and a few more are all new to me). I hate squash bugs so I'm trying to companion plant to limit them if at all possible. Other info: Cucumbers will be on an a-frame style trellis, tomatoes are on the north side of the plot and will have cages or other supports, and I have the northwest corner of the whole community garden so only the right side of my plot touches another garden (pathway is at the bottom of my plot as I have it set up).

My young kids and I are starting a veggie garden and I'm starting with a 6' x 3' garden bed. I'm a little overwhelmed with what can and can't be planted together. I just planned to plant the things we eat the most in our home - does this look like an ok plan? Too much in the bed? Also, I'm in central Indiana and will be buying already started plants, probably at the end of April/early May. How many plants will go in each square?

Thank you!!

I plan to add a vertical string trellis to the tomatoes and the cucumbers

For my Mels mix I had no problem finding Coarse Vermiculite and Peat Moss.
For the compost blend its been challenging. I found two different types of mushroom compost, two different manure, and worm castings. I know manure should not be more than 20% of the compost blend. So I am trying to figure out how to complete the 80% with more than mushroom compost and worm castings. Can someone tell me what I might find at Lowes/Home Depot/Tractor Supply/Amazon that I could buy to complete my mix?

Hi folks, I'm a gardener of five or so years trying square foot gardening for the first time this year. I like the idea of keeping the grid system up all season as a visual aid. I suspect I will get overwhelmed quickly without it. Does anyone else do this in metal raised beds? And if so, how do you do it? I'm thinking twine would be the simplest way to go about it, but I don't know how to keep it in place. I've seen stakes into the soil suggested, but I don't know how sturdy that will be given how fluffy the soil is.

I've also seen something like binder clips to hold the twine on the edges suggested, but I'm visualizing me knocking into them and having to reset them constantly. I will figure it out one way or the other, but if you've come up with a system or have any images to share I'd love to see someone else's successful set-up.

I’ve been reading a lot, and one source said that only the top 6-8 inches of the bed need to be Mel’s Mix. Is that accurate? I’m considering using a layer of topsoil underneath the 6-8 inches, but I don’t want to mess things up 😅

Hi all!

I’m planning my first raised bed garden and would love some advice from seasoned SFGs! I recently purchased a 2x6 Vego Elevated Garden Bed that will live in my 2nd floor deck. Here's is my 2025 garden plan.

• I’m in Zone 7a
• I’m considering succession planting for basil, beans, and lettuce for continuous harvests. I’m also thinking about staggering sowings for beans and basil to extend harvest times.
• I plan to direct sow all that I can. But, transplanting timing for plants like peppers and tomatoes will be adjusted based on soil temperature.

Questions I’m hoping to get advice on:

• Does my plant list look appropriate for a 2' x 6' bed, or should I consider adjusting the plant spacing or adding/removing anything?
• If you’ve worked with a similar setup (raised bed on a deck), any tips or lessons learned?
• Any tips on making the most out of limited space for my plants (e.g., vertical growing, companion planting)?
• What should I keep in mind regarding timing for sowing, transplanting, and succession planting in Zone 7a?

HAPPY GARDENING!

Just started up in the new backyard, and plan on doing a huge garden space. All of the light brown is plantable space and each grid is one square foot. With a total plantable space of 2323 ft.². I’m in Southeast Florida. What can I grow and where in the yard?

I'll be using the white bricks from 2nd photo as that is what I currently use for my garden bed. It pretty much ends up being in ground gardening but I don't mind it. Any ideas or tips are appreciated. I'm working with what I have. & i'll also go buy w.e amount of soil and compost I'll need for the extension. Really looking to learn more and grow more crops for my family of 5 + 2 teens that ima their guardian. [the white bricks are about 18x8x3 i believe so to give me more room to add more soil on top of the cardboard I'll lay them on their side so I'll have about 8 inches to be able to add soil and compost.

Those in red are our cherry tomatoes. In blue is summer squash. Additionally, we have green bell pepper, garlic, candy onions, Persian cucumbers, two varieties of spinach, two varieties of lettuce, strawberries, cilantro, and jalapeños. Please help! I need advice on how to proceed.

Zone 5a/b, central Vermont— planning on two 4x8 beds. I live on acreage and can put these guys in full sun. Am hoping to do an arch trellis for a little green bean archway and then I’ll trellis the tomatoes.

Any advice on anything to add to the second bed? Is there too much in the first bed? I’m excited but overwhelmed! TIA!

I want to build a garden for veggies/fruits. First time ever. Any ideas???

Hi all, I planted my two 3x6 raised beds 3 days ago, and last night we had a huge storm with torrential downpour. It looks like one of the raised beds that is planted on a bit of a slope had water coming in from an overflowing downspout, but the water had drained by early this morning.

So my question is: how does heavy rain affect seeds? Do you think I will have to replant? Just wait and see? Thoughts?

I couldn't be more excited. A lot more planting to come with fabric grow bags next!

18 quinalt strawberries 12 carrots 2 Juliet heirloom tomatoes 2 Big rainbow heirloom tomatoes 1 Early girl tomato 1 San marzano tomato 1 Brandywine tomato 1 Roma tomato 1 sweet 100 tomato 1 better boy tomato 1 green zebra heirloom tomato 1 Black krim heirloom tomato 1 mortgage lifter heirloom tomato 1 Sun Gold heirloom tomato 1 pineapple heirloom tomatoe 2 thyme 2 Italian oregano 4 Italian parsley 4 Basil 2 sage 1 spearmint 1 peppermint 12 Bush lake beans 12 Green butter lettuce 12 red butter lettuce 1 burpless cucumber 1 yellow crookneck summer squash 1 Persian cucumber 1 zucchini 2 Japanese eggplant 1 Sweet Italian pepper 2 shishito peppers 2 jalapeno peppers 2 Green bell peppers 2 red bell peppers

Oy vey!... My mother in law works for a nursery so I get this all for free but all of a sudden I have a lil farm on my hands, however good soil is expensive...

Weird question I know, but I have a lot of bagged compost & manure left over from when I set up my first raised bed 9 years ago and I'm setting up a new one. I'm hoping not to have to waste all of the old stuff. The bags are mostly opened. It's lobster compost, chicken manure, bat manure, cow manure, etc. I also have some newer (4 year old) bags of mixed compost, worm castings, etc. Thank you

Would love input — does this make sense?? What should I adjust? And do the sungolds really need 4 sq. ft?? Zone 8a in central AL! Tomato side is W, okra E.