***SMALL KITCHEN GARDEN EXPERIMENTS*** **************************************
Some areas have been experimenting with gardening intensively in 100 square feet (~9 square meters). In 2008 Rosalind Creasy in the USA did an experiment to see how much she could grow in a summer garden of 100 square feet (~9 square meters). In her garden she planted Basil Lettuce Peppers, Bell Tomatoes Zucchini All together she got 235 pounds/106 kg of organic vegetables from her plot. In her area this would be over US$700/470 Euros worth of vegetables. Theres a report with lots more info on the garden in the December 2009 issue of Mother Earth News of the 2008 garden. http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/Square-Foot-Gardening-Food. aspx http://tinyurl.com/yb5ool6 The magazine issue has many more photos. They also include some great tips on getting lots of food from a small garden plot. http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/Square-Foot-Gardening-Food. aspx?page=4 http://tinyurl.com/ycc5uyv For the 2009 garden year she planted some cool weather vegetables earlier in the year and also diversified her summer garden. So this year she has Beans, Pole Bok Choi Broccoli Chard Collards Kale Lettuce Mesclun Onions, Scallions Peas, Snap Peas, Sugar Peppers Radishes Squash, Zucchini Tomatoes Her 2009 yields were similar. A report and photos of the 2009 garden are located at http://www.rosalindcreasy.com/ros-trial-garden-2008-2009/ In the UK several botanical gardens have planted 10 foot x 10 foot (~3meter by 3 meter) sample food gardens. Here is the link to 12/14 different sample gardens and matching shorter link in case the link splits. The first Harlow Carr plan link for fruit and vegetables has not been working, but the other 11 are ok. http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Grow-Your-Own/Events-Gardens/The-RHS-3x3m-pl ots http://tinyurl.com/y9q7hck And one at a garden show with tiered beds and a dining table where the 4x4 bed is in some of the sample plans. http://mygarden.rhs.org.uk/photos/alison_mundie/picture20631.aspx http://tinyurl.com/ya2a9fd This tiered design could be used on steeper land and made out of rocks which are likely to be available in that type of terrain. If the soil is thin on the hillside, it can be increased by lasagna composting. I have not seen any yield data for the UK gardens. By managing the space biointensively and building soil fertility, the 100 square foot/~9 square meter plots can produce 400 to 800 pounds/181-362kg of high nutrition vegetables per year. For planning and details on yield data see How to Grow More Vegetables (and Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops) Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine by John Jeavons, 2006. Generally best use can be made of a small size plot near the house or apartment by growing high nutrition foods that yield well but don't travel well and which are expensive to buy. Food that travels well dry such as grain and beans can be grown in fields surrounding the city. If you are aware of any small plot experiments, plans, demonstration plots, or medicinal herb plots such as this under 600 square feet/56 square meters please send information about where more details can be found to gordo...@one.net . Sharon gordo...@one.net _______________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: community_garden@list.communitygarden.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
