GardenTips

A traditional square-foot garden is the size of four, nine or 16 12-inch-by-12-inch squares. To create your garden, you'll need to do a little work first (and probably get a little help from an adult).

1. Build your garden on top of existing soil using planks of wood to make the sides of the box, and line the bottom with something to keep weeds from sprouting. Newspaper works well; you can use the one in your hands!

2. Fill the box with at least six inches of good-quality soil. Then use simple strips of wood or plastic cording to mark off the individual squares where you'll plant your vegetables (or herbs or flowers).

In each 12-inch square you can put one of the following:

One extra-large plant (tomato, potato, melon).

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Four large plants (lettuce).

Nine medium plants (peas, bush beans).

16 small plants (carrots, radishes).

It's late April, but you can still plant some vegetables using seeds, such as beans or carrots. Drop in at least two seeds, then pinch off the weaker plant once they sprout. To start larger vegetables this time of year, such as tomatoes or melons, you should use a small plant.