Skip to main content

How to Make Simple Square Foot Gardening Templates

backside of template with holes drilled
I am just about ready to start planting my square foot garden. Until now I have used string and sticks to mark things, but then I got an idea of how I could easily make some templates from old plastic election signs. The material was easy to cut with a knife and a permanent marker would help with the design.

At first I thought that I would need a whole bunch of templates, but as I got going I realized that I could actually get away with only 2 templates.


  • First cut 2 12x12 inch pieces from the plastic signs
  • Draw a grid: 
    • template 1: 3 rows and 3 columns
    • template 2: 4 rows and 4 columns
  • Mark the center of each square of the grid by drawing diagonal lines
  • Use the electric drill and a ½" drill bit and drill a hole at each center point.

Template 1


Template 1

  • Grid of 3 row and 3 columns (9 plants - holes circled in blue)
  • This can also be used for 1 plant per square foot (hole circled in black and then blue)





Template 2

Template 2
  • This one is truly a multi-use template
  • Grid 4 rows and 4 columns (16 plants - holes circled in blue)
  • Grid 2 rows and 2 columns (4 plants - holes circled in black)
  • This can also be used for 1 plant per square foot (hole circled in black and then blue)


  • I also created a template with just strips from the plastic sign.
  •  I used gardening wire to attache the strips to each other. On the back picture I twisted the wires together and tucked the ends underneath.
  • This template can be used the same way as template 2.
front
back

Let me know if you found this information helpful and write a comment.

Comments

A great idea, however just seen this site where you can buy them!!! plantspacer.co.uk
A great idea, however just seen this site where you can buy them!!! plantspacer.co.uk
This comment has been removed by the author.
Trinity303 said…
Awesome! Going to try square foot gardening this year. Planned it all out and I'd rather male my own template than buy one so I appreciate the tip!
Bill said…
I love your idea with the strips at the bottom. I hadn't though of that and I can use leftover plastic/wood trim.
marliescohen said…
You are welcome. I love to share my low cost ideas

Popular posts from this blog

Sleep Tip from the Mentalist TV Show

I like watching the Mentalist TV show and yesterday I got finally around to watch my latest recorded show. To my delight and surprise Patrick Jane's character gave this tip to help you fall asleep: If you have falling asleep you can count sheep or on your in-breath say or think 1 and then when you breath out say or think 2. On your next in-breath say or think 1 and when you breath out say or think 2. Keep on repeating this and you will be surprised that when you wake up it is morning. Give it a try and then connect with me on Facebook and let me know what happened . . . counting sheep

Companion Planting Chart

Have you ever heard of companion planting ? Wikipedia explains it very nicely: Companion planting is the planting of different crops in proximity (in gardening and agriculture), on the theory that they assist each other in nutrient uptake, pest control, pollination, and other factors necessary to increasing crop productivity. Companion planting is a form of polyculture. Companion planting is used by farmers and gardeners in both industrialized and developing countries for many reasons. Many of the modern principles of companion planting were present many centuries ago in cottage gardens in England and home gardens in Asia. Check out this helpful chart to find the benefits of companion planting: Let me know if you found this information helpful and write a comment.