A pick ax!   Who said you never need big tools or heavy digging for Square Foot Gardening?   Well you do if you’re in Maine where the backyards are nothing but rock.   Actually in those kinds of conditions, a Square Foot Garden is ideal because you build up rather than dig down.   Keep in mind no matter where you are in the country, in fact in the world, the worse your existing soil is – the more adaptable Square Foot Gardening is.

Only at the start is a little hard work required in order to get your boxes level (hence the pick ax in the picture).   This was a Habitat project in Bath, Maine my church was involved in.   Doesn't it seem like such a natural combination to add a Square Foot Garden to every house built by Habitat?   When you think about it, most of the new owners have children and wanted to become self-sufficient by growing their own.   In addition, there was always plenty of leftover lumber, skilled volunteers were everywhere, landscaping services and supplies were usually part of the project – so why not build a Square Foot Garden to go with every Habitat house?

As part of the dedication ceremonies , I gave a talk and demonstration to everyone (note the flashcards) and then involved everyone in mixing the special soil mix (see our “How To” page for the Mel’s Mix formula), filling the boxes and planting flowers, vegetables in herbs in all the squares.   As part of this project, we asked the local garden club to donate many mature plants from their gardens as well as some of the other supplies (just another way to get more neighborhood involvement and following the old tradition of bringing the new neighbors something from the kitchen or the garden).

In this next picture, notice how enthusiastic and active all the kids are.   They love to garden.   Once everything is cleaned up and the new transplants take hold (a few wilted at first), the new home has an instant garden.   Can you think of a more worthwhile project?   Are you, your church or company involved in a Habitat project?   Now’s the time to speak up and volunteer to coordinate a Square Foot Garden for every house built and they’re being put up all over the world.   If you don’t have a specific project going on, why not create one yourself in your neighborhood.   Find some neighbor who would like to start gardening, give them a short class or demonstration, help them build a new garden and get them started.   Remember to start small – just one 4 x 4 box for adults, one 3 x 3 box for the children.   If you can’t find a neighbor, turn towards your family.   Think about your grown children or even grandchildren or vice versa – help your parents or grandparents to start a Square Foot Garden.

There can be no stronger bond than to teach a child a lifetime hobby.   Working together in the garden, outdoors in all the splendor of nature, noticing the miracles of birth as seeds sprout, flowers bloom then turn into maturing fruit or seed pods which start the cycle of reproduction all over again.

When I grew up, all I remember was the drudgery and hard work of keeping my Mother’s single row garden weeded and in control.   But now with Square Foot Gardening all that is eliminated so only the joy and fun of gardening is present.   Think of someone in your family or neighborhood you can interest or teach gardening to.   It’s especially fun if they or you don’t live nearby but visit often.   Then the visitor notices the changes much more and the excitement of what to show and tell on the next visit becomes even more meaningful .

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