A beginner, I think

PonderWolf 1/26/2015, 12:19 pm

Hi, I built raised beds and started a compost for my wife when I came home from Iraq 3 years ago, and they have been producing like mad. Not sure what we did right, but obviously we did something right. Last year the 4 raised beds produced so much that my soon to be ex(friendly divorce so we still talk) that she couldn't can or give the veggies away fast enough!!! I hope to learn what I did right by accident, maybe even improve on what I did so I can make raised beds when I get settled in a new place.

Roy

**sanderson** 1/26/2015, 12:31 pm

Hi Roy, Welcome to the Forum from California! $glad you\'re here$ Hopefully you will be able to duplicate your successful garden. Raised beds and your own compost pile were surely part of the success. Have you read All New Square Foot Gardening, 1st or 2nd Edition, by Mel Bartholomew? Raised beds, compost, vermiculite and fluffed peat moss.

And, we thank you for your Service. thanks

PonderWolf 1/26/2015, 1:31 pm

We got the dirt from a local supplier, and my wife did mix it with some sort of peat moss and compost. Not sure what kind of dirt it was, I did let the seller know that I planned on using it for raised beds, and it looked nice and brown when we got it. The book is on order.

**sanderson** 1/26/2015, 1:39 pm

Maybe hold off on ordering the dirt until you have read the book. In SFG only 6" of Mel's Mix is needed for most crops. Deeper for long rooted crops like carrots, parsnips,potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc. Then, all you add from then on is more compost. Have I piqued your curiosity? Very Happy

PonderWolf 1/26/2015, 2:21 pm

I think I mentioned in my original post, I built those beds 3 years ago. Trying to improve on what I did back then.

has55 1/26/2015, 8:45 pm

Welcome Ponderwolf to the forum.

Also thank you for your service. cheers

steve638 1/27/2015, 11:50 am

Hey, ponderwolf! Fellow Vet here, I started last year and the book is a tremendous help. I had the library purchase a copy till I could purchase a copy. This site has been a great resource as well. My goal with this is to grow enough to feed 3 people and juice as well. Good luck to you!

Sincerely,

Stephen Rager

has55 1/27/2015, 1:33 pm

steve638, I'm sure someone has said it, but I want to thank you also for your service to and for the U.S.A.

**AtlantaMarie** 1/28/2015, 7:06 pm

Hi Roy! Welcome from an Army vet's wife in Atlanta, GA. (He was in Iraq the first go round.)

Yes, thank you for your service. And welcome to the party...

quiltbea 1/30/2015, 12:08 pm

all of you guys for your service to our wonderful country. Its much appreciated.
As for gardening, there's nothing like it for producing the best tasting foods.
The soil you got was probably top soil in that first venture. I started the same way, with top soil and added peat, compost and a couple of organic amendments. Had the best crops.
Doing it with Mel's Mix makes it different, but very healthy and just by adding rich compost a couple times a years, increases its productivity and health. I found that reading Mel's books helps a lot and they have much more helpful information than just mixing your soil. A worthwhile purchase, for sure.
Good luck in your quest.

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	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.