Hello from the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago!

Hi Everyone!

I am so excited to be joining this forum and learning from all of you much more experienced than I in this wonderful method!  I have been practicing traditional row gardening for a little while (but am NOT an expert by any stretch of the imagination), and have mainly had the experience that Mel describes...eventually beaten by weeds by midsummer and giving up! 

A couple years ago, I ran across Mel's book at my local bookstore.  WOW!!  I was so excited to try it!  I made three boxes, began gathering different bags for "Mel's Mix", prepared a space next to my house....and unfortunately, life interrupted!  

But now I am back, have some seedlings going in my basement...and am just waiting (somewhat impatiently) for all this crazy snow to melt in my area so that I can finish what I started two years ago!!

I'm all signed up for class in April, have been devouring Belinda's YouTube videos (they're amazing!!), and can't wait to share what I learn with my grandkids, ages 8,6,5,& 3!  I've recently gotten a co-worker excited about SFGardening and would so love to put together a workshop for our homeschooling co-op too! Let the fun begin!!  

Lisarae, Welcome to the Forum!   So glad you will actually be able to start your SFG this year. Stay active on the Forum and you will learn so much about so many aspects of growing your veggies (and some fruits). Take photos of you journey and keep a journal.

Hello Lisarae, 

Nice to see a growing Illinois presence, will have to compare notes 
My garden is still under 24" of snow hope you are able to see your garden soon

they say we may get some more snow a little today, stay warm and think spring.

Hi Lisa and welcome.
As you stated, I also ran across Mel's SFG book and let it sit on my bookshelf for2 years.
One night I couldn't sleep so I picked it up because it had a pretty cover, only reason I purchased it was it had a gorgeous cover.
Well I read that book in 1 night, lost a nights sleep, and my life was changed overnight.
My past gardening efforts were, till soil, toss fertilizer, plant seedlings from the store, water, etc, etc.
Now I'm growing plants in my basement, 5 beds working with a large cold frame.....and all the rest.
I know your enthusiasm, isn't it great ? almost like being able to breathe again after being under water for to long.
I'll need to check on Belinda's videos, maybe interesting.

Hey!  Thanks for the welcome, all!  Sanderson---great idea about journaling with pics!  I wouldn't have thought of that...I will certainly try to do that!  Jimmy cee, I really do recommend Belinda's videos, particularly because my learning style is more of a "don't tell me, SHOW ME"  I remember/learn best this way.  Recoush:  I am so glad to meet another Illinoisan here....are you in the Northwest suburbs?

LisaRae, My journal is literally a 3 hole notebook. Periodically, I print a couple of pages of small photos (9-12 per sheet), and cut and scotch tape in the journal as visual illustrations.