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Market Gardener

Square Foot Market Gardening

12 years ago

Most people who have gardened for any length of time, know at least a little about Square Foot Gardening. My question is this: Has anyone used SFG techniques to grow for market, so on a bigger scale than most people do SFG? I grow on a couple acres, which sounds like enough, but I do a lot of berries so that takes up a ton of space. So if I could grow closer with my veggies, I could really gain some nice profits. If anyone has any experience with this, or just some thoughts, please reply. Thank you so much.

Andrew

Featured Answer

HU-841282417

5 years ago

I've been growing for 4 people in 150 square feet of space for a few years now. Its really just a very miniature CSA that has worked out great. I grow simple crops that everyone knows about, so I don't have to come up with recipe cards on how to use that kohlrabi, or any of the other odd, but very tasty items that normally come in a CSA basket.

I do specialize in lettuces. Its next to impossible to grow it in our hot summers, but I've learned how to do it. I have also had a local restaurant contact me to see if I'm interested in growing 2-3 crops especially for them. You can make money doing it. And supplement with other things as well.

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Comments (11)

myfamilysfarm
12 years ago
I planted alot of things in wide rows, instead of the SFG.

Marla
SherwinFarms
Original Author
12 years ago
Can you give me some examples, Marla? Thanks!
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little_minnie
12 years ago
Just keep in mind that using a tractor for cultivating changes everything! Otherwise you can do nice wide beds in more of a garden style like I do. With a tractor you have to plan for its dimensions.

I do wide beds for most stuff and a lot of staggered rows (diamond shapes) which squeezes a lot in to the space. I do a lot of successive sowing and intercropping too.
myfamilysfarm
12 years ago
I plant my beans as several seeds instead of the traditional 2 per 4". I plant 6-8 instead. The beans will grow out and fill in part of the aisle way. Corn is still planted traditionally. Onion sets are thrown our in a 2' wide strip, then covered lightly with compost. Potatoes the same way as onions. My tomatoes are planted single row, 18" apart and rows 6' apart (I don't stake my plants).
Peas are planted like beans.

This year, I discovered and bought a jab planter, it makes it easier for me, no bending over. Just doesn't work well in muddy ground.

With a tractor, you need to have a cultivator that you can move the tines to match with your plantings. Most of what I've seen will adjust.

Marla
Kristiina DiOrio
12 years ago
SherwinFarms, I recently picked up a book called 'Pay Dirt'. I don't recall the author. It talks about sqft practices, cultivating 1/4 acrea for sustainability and also market selling. It touts the ability to make 10k annually from such a small space through these methods and approaching your market with some forethought. You might want to make more than that but this would be a good launching point for you.

Hope that helps.
Kristiina
little_minnie
12 years ago
Also should mention I do 10 CSAs and one market from 12000 sq feet. I did a lot of successive sowing this season and really stretched the season. That is important to growing for sale. Depends on your climate of course, but in MN I am proud of the crops I have gotten in the same beds over one season.
Kristiina DiOrio
12 years ago
Just a little correction to my post...I was mixing 2 books I got at the same time. Pay Dirt, by John Tullock and Mini Farming (self sufficiency on a 1/4 acre) by Brett L. Markham. Pay Dirt is all about the making money at the market (or your chosen venue). Mini Farming is more on self sufficiency but has a chapter on selling excess.
jrslick (North Central Kansas, Zone 5B)
12 years ago
I don't square foot garden, but I garden very intensely. Most of my produce grown in my high tunnels is on very close spacing and row are very close together. Most aisle range from 12-20 inches. Just enough to walk down and set a container to pick into. I also try to use vertical space as much as possible. Next year I am going to be growing lots of hanging baskets of cherry tomatoes. This is in addition to my regular plantings. Probably 100-150 baskets. They produce well and will give me a good 30-45 day harvest window. If I get them going early enough, I will be able to sell them in June and July. These are the months when the markets are at their peak. Why not try to match the peak markets with the peak amount of produce.

Jay
Slimy_Okra
12 years ago
Dang, sorry for the above post! I meant to post it on the main forum! And here I was thinking I was computer literate!
bstruss
12 years ago
Here is my square foot garden planted in 3 4'x16' beds.

Here is a link that might be useful: My summer food jungle

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