Small-scale gardening is a simple technique used to produce vegetables and herbs.
LayLa Burgess, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
When planting a traditional garden with conventional rows, approximately 100 square feet per crop per individual are necessary to provide fresh food for a season. An additional 100 square feet per person is required if additional crops are to be preserved. As an alternative, using a raised bed with small-scale divisions can yield an abundance of food per individual. A 4-foot x 4-foot raised bed organized on the scale of 1-foot x 1-foot divisions provides a reduction in space to 16 square feet for fresh foods. An additional 4-foot x 4-foot raised bed organized on the scale of 1-foot x 1-foot divisions can provide a total of 32 square feet if preserving for later use per individual. The idea of small-scale gardening revolves around the practice of intensive gardening in a reduced space.
Small-Scale Gardening consists of a few simple steps:
- Build a raised bed
- Fill with appropriate growing medium
- Plot the grid to the intended scale
- Select, organize, and plant at the proper time
- Maintain (fertilize & irrigate)
- Harvest
- Enjoy fresh foods or preserve the harvest
- Begin with the construction of a 4-foot x 4-foot raised bed. For more information on raised beds, see HGIC 1257, Raised Beds. For alternate-sized beds, plan accordingly.
- Line the bottom of the raised bed with cardboard for weed control and fill with growing medium. Consider using a commercial planting mix or see information in HGIC 1257, Raised Beds regarding soil mixture. Lasagna gardening is another option.
- Mark the grid by measuring at 1, 2, and 3-foot intervals along the frame in one direction and then again in a perpendicular direction. If the bed is longer than a 4-foot x 4-foot, plan accordingly. Pushpins or nails can be placed at each measurement to allow for stretching & fastening string in the appropriate lines. Make sure lines are tight. The use of a lattice structure is also an option.
- Diagram & organize plantings by type and proper planting time. For more information on planting dates for a particular area in South Carolina, see HGIC 1256, Planning a Garden. If planting a vegetable that climbs, place a trellis at the north side of the raised bed and orient those crops in that location.
- Once properly organized, begin to plant.
- Fertilize plants according to a soil test report as needed. For more information on soil testing, see HGIC 1652, Soil Testing. Irrigate as needed, and use a rain gauge to monitor rainfall.
- Approximate times to maturity and harvest can be found in Table 4 of HGIC 1256, Planning a Garden. As plantings ripen, it is time to pick, clean, prepare, and enjoy fresh foods or to preserve the harvest.
- Experiment with the arrangement and number of plantings in future growing seasons.
Sample Planting Guide
| cilantro | lemon thyme | spearmint | fennel |
| flat leaf parsley | chives | cinnamon basil | catnip |
| Russian tarragon | Thai basil | sage | dill |
| French tarragon | peppermint | hot & spicy oregano | bee balm |
A 4-foot x 4-foot raised bed can be easily organized to plant 16 different herbs, with each herb occupying a 1 square foot space.
LayLa Burgess, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
String or cord can be used in place to indicate lines as measurements are made for the raised bed. The use of lattice laid on top of the raised bed is also an option.
LayLa Burgess, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Single plants are arranged in the center of the square spacing, while multiple plants can be arranged according to number within the square.
