Square Metre Gardening by Mel Bartholomew

Square Metre Gardening Reviews

• 
  Corey

  Summary:
  I was totally sucked into this book and almost read it all one sitting. The author writes with humour and clarity to explain their gardening system. I like the idea of it due to its simplicity, structure and promised high yield. I'm looking to implement the system and have constructed 3 square metre raised beds of 30cm depth trial with the intent of also trying to develop square metre wicking beds. One thing I would caution is the use of peat moss, which may be collected non-sustainable. I'm looking into more sustainable, but similar materials such as coco coir. I'm also having issues finding bulk of this product and vermiculite. One other drawback to the system is that the upfront cost of bringing in all new soil could be a bit daunting for a big garden, but you should only be it with it once on initial set up. Thereafter you can just supplement it with compost from your own garden. The book also includes information on speeding up compost production and on what to plant. All round, I think it outlines a great system, particularly for new gardeners and those who like tidiness and neat edges. I'm intending to use this system to grow annuals and have my soft edges represented in my perennial bed and food forest.
  
  I would recommend this book to anyone interested in gardening.
  
  The main message I took from this book is that by simplifying and following the square metre gardening process, you can get high yields in small spaces quite efficiently.
  
  Some notable points:
  - Planting in rows, all at once, create a glut of one vegetable which is suitable for the market gardener, but not for those going garden to table. Additionally it creates inefficiencies in spacing.
  
  - By creating a raise bed of 1m by 1m and then sectioning that bed off into 9 quadrants, you can plant 9 crops in the one bed to get variety as well as helping maintain efficient spacing.
  
  - The author advises to read the spacing requirements on seed packets or information panels and if it says 30com, then plant one seed in the one quadrant. If it says 15cm, then plant four per quadrant. 10cm allows 9 per quadrant and 8cm allows 16 per quadrant. This easy to remember planting regime allows maximum efficiency and simplicity in your planting patterns.
  
  - The author's solution to local soil is to create your own mix of soil and fill the raised bed. The mix is 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 vermiculite and 1/3 complete compost. After this, whenever you remove a finished plant from a quadrant, add another scoop of compost to add more nutrients to the soil.
  
  - The author advises using seeds sparingly and just resowing if nothings takes as well as being creative with size and shape. As long as your quadrants are roughly 33cm by 33cm, then you can create narrower beds or other flexible shapes.
  
  - The author also recommend staggering your planting times, so you might sow seed in one bed and then sow seed two weeks later in another bed and then two weeks later in yet another bed to ensure a continual supply, but not a glut of fresh and varied produce.
• 
  Vilius Valantinas

  I found Some good ideas for myself. It's simple, easy to understand information for beginner "farmers".
• 
  Germán González

  Un método muy interesante para hacer huertas urbanas (incluso en balcones). El libro es muy informativo y, a la vez, entretenido.
• 
  Mike Eccles

  I keep dipping in and am inspired to garden differently in my vegetable garden. Great concept!
• 
  Deirdre

  Can I go home and garden yet?
  
  I'm not going to apply exactly this idea but I'm going to adapt it for my tiered garden.
  
  4.5 stars really, not quite 5 stars but it makes me want to garden.