Newbie Oldbie

New here. Old person, 57, male. I'm about 33% through the book so far. I just gotta set me up one 4x4 SqFt garden. Found this because I'm addressing health more seriously. Buying good food is expensive, to say the least. I gotta grow some myself. 
Have to say it's interesting moving away from all the GMO and other toxins out there. Very interesting. Starting to feel normal. Much less felt stress. 
Have to admit. At first it seemed dumb to me to set up the squares. Now realizing, that keeps one focused. Am just growing for myself. So this method and focus should help. 
I have started learning about juicing and "canning" in jars. I know what to do with extra to make good use of it. Just wanting to help in putting a good dent in my food bill to begin with. 

I have a couple pallets, and some wood. Can build a compost area. As well as a 4x4 Sq.Ft. garden. Don't need to buy anything. Except the compost, peat moss, and vermiculite. Seeds too. 

Haven't decided on a trellis yet. We get blasted with wind. After reading the book. Still thinking about it. 

I have learned a great deal online lately. I didn't realize I could grow just about any tree or bush from cuttings. Really need to grow some. Need too many to pay for them. One row in my garden will work great for this. Might need to set up another Sq.Ft garden just to grow these out some? I hate to fool around with a bunch of pots. Yet, I know they're not expensive.

Hi Browndog. Marie from Atlanta, GA here. Glad you've joined us!

I love the SFG method. You're right - it keeps me focused too. It appeals to my sense of order, lol!

There are also lots of us who can on here, so feel free to ask questions about that as well. And you might also think about dehyrating. But let's get you set up first!

We're here to help you all we can!

Hey there! This is my first year with a SFG, and I've learned a lot here. As far as trellising goes, I followed the book, and used electrical conduit, with netting tied onto it, but PVC pipe would work just as well. I used 2ft long rebar pounded into the ground at the four corners of my SFG, and the conduit slides down over it. The rebar is about half in the ground, and half above ground. It's really sturdy, and if you're worried about wind, I think this could withstand just about anything. Happy growing!

"Old person", Smarty Pants? I have kids almost your age.  Welcome anyway.  Just kidding. Glad to have you with us. I know MM can be expensive, and you mentioned saving money, so here's a link to a great thread on that topic. https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t18114-a-really-really-frugal-gardener?highlight=frugal 

You also mentioned "buying good food." According to many gardening gurus, that is almost impossible. Even organic produce is very often picked too soon and stored too long to be really nutritious. 
Growing our own veggies may not be economical at first, but we are doing the very best we can for our bodies.

Thank you all for the welcomes. 

I belong to a Breadroot Co-Op. Other than that. I buy much at the farmers market. They/we all try to do the best we can. At least, all of these, we're not flooded with GMO, and other toxins. I've found out how much better I feel, getting rid of toxins. 

Here recently. I finally found out what Broccoli without pesticides on it tastes like. The commercial store bought stuff. The pesticides can't be washed off. 

In the past. There was always something not quite right about food. I always had stress which is decreased greatly now. 

On the wind. Gee... I've owned this house for a year. It's only 8 years old. Past owner planted a Cottonwood tree in the front yard. It's a small yard/house. That's crazy. Cottonwoods grow fast and get gigantic. Besides.... The wind gets so bad here. That tree has broken off more than once. I pulled out the base of two trunks of this tree that broke off. One was about 10 inches across. Other about 8 inches. That's how bad our wind gets.

Yeah, I live in a wind tunnel, too.  It's a different way of gardening, but very do-able.  I sometimes clothes pin up 4'x3' pcs of burlap as wind blocks.  
Getting ready for some hurricane or other that was threatening to pass thru:


Veggies directly from gardens, whether co-op or our own, are hands down superior to store bought.   Like garlic...it's a whole new experience.  I never knew it could taste so good.  And I love the convenience of walking outside and picking a salad.  Amazing!

I'm a bit of a health nut myself.  Check out our Health & Fitness section when you get a chance and let us know what your up to to get healthy.

Oh...fyi, I use the trellis's from the ANSFG book.  They stand up to the wind just fine, in my area anyway.
 
CC

I got all my stuff today. 
6 different kinds of compost/manure/yadda yadda. Did get one bag of mushroom compost. 
Only got one 2.2 ft bag of peat moss. Book says it doubles in size. A little on the low side. I think that's ok. 
Ended up with a little extra vermiculite. Bought 4 bags of 8 quart size from a store I like. Bought out their remainder of stock for the summer. Got 4 more of 1.5 Sq.Ft. from another store. Maybe I can consider this making up for the peat moss? 

I think it will work out ok. This is going to be a 4x4, one foot tall. I have the 2x12's already. Filling it a foot deep won't hurt. Not going to put a bottom in it. I think it's best to be strong in itself and well mated to the ground. Especially with the weather we get here. 

I even bought a 3 foot piece of 2x12. That's because I need to build a headboard for my bed. Also the 4x4 SFG. Came 2 feet short of doing both. Otherwise I had the wood. 

I was thinking of putting this stuff together right. Use glue and wood dowels? I know that lasts much longer. Stress and the metal screws will split the wood. Thinking about it. 
Also might stain the outside of it. I have the stain. Bought on sale at the store. 

Hated to spend the money. But geesh... I look at what I spend on groceries. Had to do this.

Hey, Browndog!  Welcome!  Can't wait to hear more about your journey!  Ohio here....

What do you like to eat?  What are you going to grow first?  Starting  this fall?

I like: Broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, spinach. It's what I've mostly bought at the store in the past. 
I can expand out. Have done a little lately. Just trying to vary my intake. I haven't grown anything yet. 
Got suggestions from my Region. So will probably try those. Even though the broccoli needs to be started. Might just plant the seed myself and see how it goes. Finding I rather like good radishes. Liking squash. Told to try leafy stuff that I can cut at anytime. So I'll see. Want to grow something this fall. Make sure I have it ready for greenhousing ahead of time.

Here's one I haven't seen so far for growing. I'd like to grow either yams or sweet potatoes. I seriously don't have a clue. ???

As you can see. I'm a little infatuated with this right now. Spending much time reading. Also on here. Probably do me good to have one quick fall crop. Then, let it rest for the winter. Then plan on spring.

Cape Coddess, I like your setup for wind protection. Is the material burlap or sun shade cloth?

sanderson wrote:Cape Coddess, I like your setup for wind protection.  Is the material burlap or sun shade cloth?

Burlap.  I believe I got it at HD. Maybe it was this one but it must have been on wicked sale since I don't think I would pay that much:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Jobe-s-Organics-3-ft-x-100-ft-Natural-Burlap-31100/202251731

I just threw away several yards of burlap!

sanderson wrote:I just threw away several yards of burlap!

Yep

Welcome Browndog.  Getting started is exciting, isn't it?

Welcome to the Forum, In Your post you mentioned planting Trees in one row of your garden and Hi wind, as MM Does not compact which is good but not so good for tall plants in hi wind situation.