buying ready to use Mel's Mix

Henna20 5/12/2017, 1:49 pm

Hi
I am in middle of reading the book and would love to start my own SFG. This is going to be my very first attempt at gardening. Is there anywhere I can buy premade Mel's Mix?

**trolleydriver** 5/12/2017, 2:01 pm

Hello and a warm welcome Henna20 from up here in Ottawa, Canada. Don't be afraid to jump in and give SFG a try. You will find it very rewarding and the people here on the forum are always willing to provide guidance and answer questions. I'll leave it up to the USA members to answer your question about ready to use Mel's Mix.

**RoOsTeR** 5/12/2017, 2:34 pm

Welcome! I would highly suggest making your own Mel's Mix. I think you'll come out miles ahead and with a much better product.

Henna20 5/12/2017, 2:43 pm

it seems so complicated to get it right

**RoOsTeR** 5/12/2017, 2:55 pm

It's actually very simple. And my opinion is even if you don't do it perfectly, you'll still have a superior product if you do it yourself. Provided you put forth a bit of effort to obtain quality ingredients. One sure fire way to make it UN-complicated, is to make your own compost and be done with searching out 5 separate composts.

**sanderson** 5/12/2017, 3:38 pm

Official SFG pre-made Mel's Mix is not available in every State or area. I agree with Rooster to make your own. You will need to have extra blended composts to top off the bed mid season or whenever you replant.

Henna20 5/12/2017, 5:56 pm

1/3 Coarse Grade Vermiculite
1/3 Spagnum Peat Moss
1/3 Blended Compost
at home – follow the recipe to the tee – many Square Foot Gardens have failed to thrive by changing this recipe.

are all these things available at home depot?

i'm trying to figure out the simplest way to make this because i'm starting to get overwhelmed by all the details

yolos 5/12/2017, 7:14 pm

Lowe's and Home Depot and the local nursery sell the peat moss. Make sure you fluff it up before you measure it. It usually comes in compressed bales and must be fluffed up before measuring.

Coarse Vermiculite is one of the hardest to find. Maybe someone in your area can help you on that item. I know you can order it online (Uline carries it) but it is usually more expensive with the cost of freight added. Most local Seed and Feed stores carry it. Sometimes the local nurseries will order it for you. We also have a vermiculite data base on this forum that might help.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/Vermiculite-Entry-Form-h1.htm

Different composts can be purchased from different places. See this thread.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t21089-recommended-store-bought-compost?highlight=compost

**RoOsTeR** 5/12/2017, 7:17 pm

Mix all of your compost together if buying.
Use something like a 5 gallon bucket as a measure tool.
Fill the bucket with your blended compost. Add it to your bed or wheelbarrow or something large enough.
Add a bucket of vermiculite
Add a bucket of peat.
There is all your thirds.
Mix. Repeat. Enjoy.

**sanderson** 5/13/2017, 2:26 am

Henna, I forgot to welcome you to the Forum! $glad you\'re here$ You are doing it right by reading the book first. buying ready to use Mel's Mix 3170584802

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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.