Mel Bartholomew

Mel Bartholomew (December 14, 1931 – April 28, 2016) was an American gardener, engineer, inventor, businessman, television presenter, and writer.

The firm worked on the construction of Stony Brook University on Long Island, which led Bartholomew to settle near there in Old Field when he retired in 1975.

[2][5][4] In 1974, Bartholomew became involved in the Environmental Center in Smithtown, New York, where he started the first community garden at the Hawkins Barn.

"[2] He adapted commercial techniques, removing the labor intensive aspects to suit an amateur backyard enthusiast.

[3] In 1982 he started a PBS program called Square Foot Gardening, which began after he had a one-minute evening news spot on a local television channel.