I'm a beginner gardener and I've just gotten into Square Foot Gardening. I'm building two 4x4 vegetable beds and according to the method, I should allocate one square foot for large plants like tomatoes. However, I came across an app that suggests giving each tomato plant four square feet! This has me worried because I planned to stick one tomato in the back corner of each bed. Is it true that a tomato plant needs four square feet? Am I risking my garden setup by following the book? Also, would it be better to use grow bags for my tomatoes?
On a related note, should I buy my seeds online or just pick up a packet from a big box store like Menards? I want to keep costs low while ensuring I get a good germination rate. Any advice would be appreciated!
2 Answers
For seeds, I recommend checking local stores too. Dollar Tree has great prices for heirloom seeds at around 31 cents a pack, and I've had good success with them. Just make sure to check the 'sell by' date for germination guarantees. If you need a few plants, just plant extra seeds and share the surplus with friends! Variety is key, so feel free to mix it up.
You really can go either way with tomato spacing. In a 4x4 bed, I usually give my tomatoes about 2 feet each apart. You could potentially fit two plants comfortably that way. If you want to stick with one square foot per plant, consider growing them as single-stem cordons and using a strong stake for support. Otherwise, look for dwarf varieties designed for smaller spaces! That should help you manage better without taking over your entire garden.
Thanks for the tip! I hadn't considered those dwarf varieties, they might be just what I need!