Hello from Rhode Island

I came across SFG in my local home improvement store. I immediately purchased the book and some raised bed boxes. I am just waiting for some time off of work to get started!! As a child, some of my fondest memories are of the gardening I did with my family. As a busy single person the old style garden that my family had is not practical, but this way looks fantastic. If anyone has any tips for me before I actually start the process, I look forward to reading them. Hope to hear from you all.

Welcome from a Mainer.
You'll love SFG. Its an easier way to garden than rows.
Harvesting those fresh, tasty crops if the biggest benefit.
Be sure you check your regional group to see what's happening in your neck of the woods.
Read the book cover to cover and then get your hands dirty.

This board is full of techniques and tips and ideas so check it out daily.
Don't be afraid to ask specific questions. There are several people that can help, I'm sure.

Good luck,

Welcome to the forum. You asked for tips? I have only one: Promise yourself that you'll 'do it by the book'. No excuses; no rationalizations; no quit.

Some folks find it tougher than others to get started properly. But no one complains when they get started right. The data is starting to come in: those who start gardening by following the ALL NEW SFG book, are more likely to be gardening in five years than those who don't. Happy Gardening.

(P.S. They sure made your town look beautiful in the TV series that ran a few years ago, starring Melina Kanakaredes.)

So very glad to have ya!

Let me see, tips before you start. I can think of three things:

• Peat Moss in compressed bales is actually twice the volume listed on the package. If it says 3cu.ft. it is actually 6 cu.ft. when fluffed up.
  
• Moisten the peat moss before you mix it into the Mel's Mix. peat moss tend to repel water until it is moistened the first time. Warm water works best for this.
  
• READ THE LABELS ON YOU COMPOST BAGS. You want your bags of compost to be as pure as possible. Some good ones are cow, horse, and chicken manures; mushroom compost and worm castings. make sure that the bags are 50%+ peat or mulch. Especially in the case of peat it will throw off your Mel's Mix.
  

If you have any questions please feel free to ask them. We are always eager to help out fellow SFGers if we can. Also, we LOVE pictures around here. So, once you get your SFG going please post some. We can learn so much from each other just by looking at the beautiful pictures posted on these forums.

Please stop on by your regional forums when you have a chance. Regional forums are a great place to get region specific information, ask regional questions, and generally get to know folks from your area.

Take care and happy gardening!

hmerlet wrote:I came across SFG in my local home improvement store. I immediately purchased the book and some raised bed boxes. I am just waiting for some time off of work to get started!! As a child, some of my fondest memories are of the gardening I did with my family. As a busy single person the old style garden that my family had is not practical, but this way looks fantastic. If anyone has any tips for me before I actually start the process, I look forward to reading them. Hope to hear from you all.

hmerlet, we are really glad you joined us. Purchasing the ALL NEW SQUARE FOOT GARDENING book is the best first step in order to have a great garden. Of course, that assumes you read and follow the directions. Mel has a wonderful way of explaining why and how to get your garden growing.

Best tip? Make sure you follow the directions for Mel's Mix. One little hint, don't go by the size listed on your peat moss, which is usually a compacted bale. You really need to fluff the peat moss out of the bale before you measure. It will expand to almost two times the volumne listed.
It is also very important to find five good types of compost. Check the ingredients listed on the compost bag. Sometimes the compost blend includes fillers of peat moss, which when added to your vermiculite and measured peat moss, can cause you to have an excess of peat moss and your mix will be short in necessary nutrients.

Not trying to scare you at all, just want you to have the best possible start for your veggies.

Enjoy and keep us posted on your progress. By the way, we pictures.

Edited to add: Dizzygardener and I had some very similar thoughts on tips for you. Sorry if this is a duplication of information.

That third bullet should read " READ THE LABELS ON YOU COMPOST BAGS. You want your bags of compost to be as pure as possible. Some good ones are cow, horse, and chicken manures; mushroom compost and worm castings. make sure that the bags are NOT 50%+ peat or mulch. Especially in the case of peat it will throw off your Mel's Mix. "

I forgot the word "not" in the original post. Sorry and thanks FB for bringing that to my attention.