AboutMike Mascio Expertise I have been an avid gardener since 1985 and an AllExpert volunteer since
1998. I specialize in soil preparation, seed starting and plant
propagation, flowers, vegetables, and general landscaping. I am a strong
advocate of the square foot method of gardening and the use of organic
controls for pests and diseases.
Question Hi Mike,
I'm making my 1st 4x4 garden and i what to know what to use to make the grid and the best soil mixture and how often to fertilizer.
Thanks
B
Answer Brenda, I use cedar wood because it will not rot. I would stay away from the treated lumber since it has been reported to leech chemicals into the soil. You can use untreated lumber, but you would need to replace the frame every couple of years once it rots. Whatever you choose, the lumber should be 2" thick and a minimum of 8" high. I personally prefer 12" lumber since this allows me to grow root crops such as carrots, giving them plenty of depth to grow.
Always use an organic soil mix composed of peat, aged manure, compost, shredded leaves, and any other organic matter available to you. You can also purchase organic soil either in bags or by the square yard through your local landscaping outlet. Most will deliver for a modest price.
Finally, fertilizing is much less frequent when using organic soil. The microorganisms in the organic mix will feed the plants continuously for several months. If you prefer, you can spray the plants with an organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion or kelp once every 4 weeks to give them a boost.
I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever provide assistance.
