Hi from Brisbane, Australia

Hey there from Brisbane, really looking forward to reading through the forums for some great ideas, tips and inspiration. New to SFG -but totally addicted - I love that it makes so much sense and I can grow so much in such a small area! Have started small but am finding that I spend a lot of my spare time planning new boxes!!! Great to see there's an aussie contingent here too. Looking forward to sharing info with you all

Welcome to the forum

Hi Ward and Mary,

At the moment I only have a small 2 x 4 box which is currently growing tomatoes, capsicum, parsley, basil. I have also just planted some shallots/spring onions and some silverbeet. Today I put together a 3 x 3 box - but ran out of Mel's mix about 3/4 full (that's what you get for estimating and converting from cubic feet to litres in your head!!). Am planning on planting broccoli, onions, leeks and beetroot there when it is full. I have also planted an old wheelbarrow with some more capsicum (we eat a lot of capsicum) as the biggest problem I have in our yard is lack of sun - so I'm hoping to combat some of that by having stuff that really needs the full 6-8hrs of sun in mobile "boxes".

Everything is growing really well, but I find leafy stuff grows a lot better than fruiting plants (I think this is due to the sun issue). Initially I had some problems because the soil would dry out too quickly - that's a Queensland summer for you - but I'm finding by mulching well this is not an issue and now that it's winter I only need to water twice a week.

My goal is to eventually be able to grow most of our vegies - but obviously I've got a long way to go yet!!!

Erin

I think the wheelbarrow is a very clever wat to have a mobile SFG! A wagon would work nicely too.

It's a great idea to use a wheelbarrow... did you drill drainage holes in the bottom?

Yes, just a number of small drill holes so my husband made this thin layer of chicken wire wrapped around stones so that the holes wouldn't clog in the lower end (the bottom is sloped). At the moment it drains a little too well I think but once the soil drops down a bit more around the stones it will be better. I'm glad we did because the holes that aren't covered by the wire and stones clogged instantly.

Hi e, another Queenslander YAH!!

Great idea with the wheelbarrow!

Can I ask about your Mel's Mix? Did you buy it made up, or are you making it up yourself?

(I can't get a hold of any vermiciulite where I am.)

Hey Aussie Girl,

Yay! Where abouts are you? I live in Kallangur just north of Brisbane (about 20mins). There is a hydroponics store near me that sells 100L bags of vermiculite for about $40 I think (I bought it a while ago). For my first bed I bought the little bags from Bunnings - not so cheap. I've also seen it available on ebay, and i think with freight it was going to cost me about $60/100L.

Let me know if the Kallangur store is any good to you and I'll send you the details

e wrote:
Today I put together a 3 x 3 box - but ran out of Mel's mix about 3/4 full (that's what you get for estimating and converting from cubic feet to litres in your head!!).

Don't worry about your math, Erin. I didn't have to convert, and I still wound up with some of my boxes only 3/4 full. Sometimes it seems as though Mel's Mix just evaporates into the air when you start filling boxes.

Welcome to the forum!

Hi e!

I'm in Calliope/Gladstone area about 5.5 hours north of you, a bit far to travel for the vermiculite.

I've seen grade 4 stuff on ebay for $26 for 100L plus $25 postage, I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet & buy it like that, I hate wasting so much money on postage - Grrrr!

Can't wait to see picky's of your garden!

PS - If you haven't yet discovered, there is a section on here for your own personal album. I find it's great for keeping track of how my garden is growing and helps to keep me encouraged!