How to Build a Square Foot Gardening Grid that Won’t Rot
As I mentioned before, I am trying my hand at Square Foot Gardening. If you’ve never heard about this style of gardening, do some research or check out this book on Square Foot Gardening (affiliate link). The basic premise of the Square Foot Garden plan is that you plant in squares instead of rows. This makes it easier to plant more variety and cuts down on excess watering and weeding.
While looking at ideas for creating a grid, I was struck by how many of them will rot after time. I prefer building things that will last forever! This square foot grid won’t rot and won’t deteriorate over time. I used readily available PVC house trim for my grid and it should last an eternity!
How to Build a Square Foot Gardening Grid that Won’t Rot:
To build the grid, rip PVC house trim boards into 1″ strips. on your table saw.
Route out grooves at 1 foot intervals into the cross pieces.
The grooves should be 1″ wide and no deeper than 1/2 the depth of your PVC trim boards.
Lay out your grid and secure the cross pieces at 1 foot increments with 1″ screws.
To fit the grid in the raised planter bed I built, I cut the 4′ and 8′ cross pieces 7″ shorter to fit between the posts.
Now you have a Square Foot Gardening grid using material that also won’t deteriorate or rot! Just be sure to lift from the middle of the grid and don’t force it into the planter. The PVC boards can still snap at the grooves. (Especially when impatient 12 year olds are involved.)
So far, my plants are very happy. Everything I’ve planted is thriving and sending up shoots.
I can’t wait to harvest my first vegetables. I’ve been on a healthy eating kick after reading Eat Fat, Get Thin (affiliate link) by Dr. Mark Hyman. I must say, I feel amazing. Most of my aches and pains are gone! I’ve lost 8 pounds so far (which is saying something after the SNAP conference that was sponsored by Lindt chocolates. I may or may not have indulged in handfuls daily.)
Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Check out more of my gardening tutorials here.
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