old forum topics

[dixie]

When I first opened the forum section a few minutes ago, it was the old forum. I did a search on asparagus, read one topic & suddenly was here at the new forum. How can I view topics from the old forum again?

[boffer]

Time travel!

The old and new forums are not compatible, so the posts haven't been transferred. They are still there, and the admin tech is trying to figure out how to make them available.

It may have been a fluke, or maybe you discovered something we can use. We'll see if it happens to other members

[jinx]

I'm new... to SFG, SFG forums and gardening in general. I have a question I need answered before I start building my boxes regarding the special circumstances of my property. I sent the question via email but haven't yet received an answer and was hoping to search the forums for the answer... but no forums to search. Hopefully you will find a way to move them all over.

So hoping maybe someone has an answer to my question:

I purchased land in Northern Davis County UT, last fall. They used old railroad ties for fencing posts around the main pasture. The place I hope to put my garden has some of these old posts on two sides. I can't afford to replace them this year... so my questions are; do I need to worry about leaching from the chemicals on the railroad ties? With Mel's Mix above the existing ground, how far away from the railroad tie post would be safe for my boxes? (hoping 4' is enough) Is 6" of Mel's mix soil still going to be enough plant depth?

Thanks to any one who may have some wisdom to share!

Jenn ~ of Davis County, UT

[WardinWake]

Jenn:

Because you will be putting Mel's mix on top of potentially contaminated soil be sure to put a good weed barrier fabric on top of the soil under the SFG box. This is something that you would do anyway to block weeds. 4 feet from the old ties should be fine and the longer the ties have been in place the less likely you will have a problem. Many gardens of years past have been bordered with old railroad ties and I have not heard of any problems associated with them.

In one of the community Square Foot Gardens that Mel visited in the New Orleans area this past year old ties were used as boxes and they did not seem to pose any problem at all.

I was a hard convert to thinking that 6 inches of soil (Mel's Mix) is all that is needed to successfully grow veggies and flowers in a SFG, but, now I am hooked on the idea. It truly works.

God Bless, Ward.

[boffer]

Hi Jenn,

Welcome to the forum. It's a little chaotic right now during the transition process.

I've never heard of leeching problems into SFG boxes. Mel recommends putting down weedblock first to keep the sfg mix separate from the existing soil. For even extra peace of mind, you could put down plastic, cardboard, or plywood to keep them separate.

It's true, 6 inches is plenty deep enough for almost everything.

Enjoy your sfg, they're a great way to garden

[boffer]

LOL

Ward, we gotta get synchronized

[WardinWake]

LOL

Ward, we gotta get synchronized

I answered a question a few minutes ago and as I hit "enter" your answer popped up. It was better than mine so i deleted my answer!

[jinx]

Thanks! I feel better now. I just found enough free old bricks to do my boxes that I plan to go pick up as soon as I have some extra hands to help load. Now I will have extra in my budget to get better quality weed cloth and think about putting cardboard down first. We just moved and still have all our moving boxes so we have plenty of cardboard on hand as well. I picked up some free pallets last night to build my compost box... I'm getting more and more excited now!

[jinx]

For even extra peace of mind, you could put down plastic, cardboard, or plywood to keep them separate.

I'm curious, would you suggest to put cardboard on weedcloth first? How do you think it should be layered for best protection?

Thanks again! I'm going to have lotsssss of questions!

~Jenn

[boffer]

cardboard, then weedblock

[happyfrog]

but i must offer a suggestion - don't go too nuts with the cardboard. otherwise you might have drainage problems . . .i learned that the hard way.

[jinx]

but i must offer a suggestion - don't go too nuts with the cardboard. otherwise you might have drainage problems . . .i learned that the hard way.

Thanks for the warning! I will head to your advice. It is nice to be able to learn from others mistakes... that is why I love the Internet and access to a forum such as this!

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