Terraces - a different form of SFG

Judy McConnell 4/11/2013, 9:25 am

After remodeling at our "summer place," I found I had a steep bank of Virginia red clay on two sides of the house. This is ideal for terraces and not SFG per se. Each terrace will be 30" deep, 4-6' long, faced with 1 or 2 2x8" boards - looks like I'll be able to have 3 from ground level to the top of the bank.

Lots and lots of compost are needed to treat the clay and I have none there - so will need to buy a truck load of what I hope is decent compost. Still working on the best local source for that.

The boards are untreated and will need to be replaced in a few years - but I might want to grow a few veggies, if we're there for a bit.

Any thoughts?

Goosegirl 4/11/2013, 11:58 am

Judy!

Do you have the book All New Square Foot Gardening yet? 2nd edition just came out early this year. The soilless planting medium (Mel's Mix, the heart and soul of our gardening method) would mean not having to 'treat' the clay, but to just cover over it and forget about it. Since it sounds like your terrace beds will be deeper than 6" from top to bottom, you could use a less expensive fill for a bottom layer and just top it with Mel's Mix, if budget dictates!

GG

Judy McConnell 4/11/2013, 6:57 pm

Thanks, GG - true! I've been absent for a while.

No, I don't have the new book, but will seek it out. Been reading the forums and sounds like Mel's mix is the answer.

Goosegirl 4/11/2013, 8:44 pm

Mel's Mix is the Cat's Meow! Get the book (2nd edition just out early this year), don't skimp on getting 5 varieties of compost, and you will be on your way.

GG

plantoid 4/12/2013, 5:50 pm

Judy McConnell wrote:Thanks, GG - true! I've been absent for a while.

No, I don't have the new book, but will seek it out. Been reading the forums and sounds like Mel's mix is the answer.

Welcome to the site Judy ,
The details of Mel's book are in my straplines .

Would you be so kind & take as many pictures as possible & post the informative ones here on site please as it will help to show others how it's done and how you over came any problems

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