newbie ?

Tuesday I'm getting the SFG book at my library. I'm sure the questions floating in my head will be answered by the book. I'm not one for patience....

I understand the 4x4 concept; but, how do all these plants grow in only 4" of soil? I seen pics today of "duhh's" tomato plants that are 5' tall ---- so I where are all the roots? Are they only 4" long????do they travel throughout the box?????

I'm stumped!

Candi

zingercan wrote:--- so I where are all the roots? Are they only 4" long????do they travel throughout the box????? .....Candi

Yep, those plants have no respect for our grids! They send their roots wherever they feel like it, often into three or four other squares. If that concerns you, take a look at the nearest woods, where the trees and underbrush all grow next to each other with no regard to roots getting intermingled.

Also, plants grown in Mel's Mix don't need to get nearly as big as they do in the ground, because nutrition and water are so much easier to find and use.

zingercan,

I work in a public library in the Genealogy and Local History Department. I first found out about square foot gardening from one of Mel's books in our library. I came to find out, though, that that book was an older edition. It had a section where Mel suggested watering your plants by a certain number of cupfuls a week. Apparently, that must have worked for his climate, but time and input from other sfgardeners must have shown that doesn't work for some of the other, especially the hotter, climates. That section was changed in the newest edition.

I think the method has evolved and improved over the years and you'd probably have the best interpretation of the method if you make sure the book you read is the most recent publication. I just wanted to point out that sometimes libraries might not have the most recent SFG book, so you might want to check the publication date if your library has one of Mel's books.

The edition I just purchased has the most recent publication date as 2006.

Welcome to sfgardening and the forum! I think you'll enjoy both!

I have boxes with 6 inches of Mel's Mix growing medium and it works like a charm. Ya gotta have faith!

Sherryeo, the bookstore nearest me, a small independent in an affluent neighborhood, only carries the Old Square Foot Gardening! They weren't just out - they have never had the new one. I suggested they get in the ALL NEW SFG - I'd love to know how bookstores decide what to carry.

zingercan, ya just gotta believe!

Here's my 6" deep SFG boxes the first week of August...



pattipan

Martha,

My goodness. I wouldn't think the first book is still in publication any more, so they must have just overstocked on the first book big-time if they still have it after all these years! I hope they'll take your advice and order the new one!