Gardening in the Jungle

ixcanaan 11/12/2011, 8:56 am

As coordinator of Project Ix-canaan, I learned about square foot gardening about 5 years ago through a volunteer who came here to teach the technique to the Ix-canaan Women's Group. From a start of 15 square foot gardens, we now have over 100 here in the village. We have found that our biggest problem is SOIL ... so I have been experimenting with a worm farm ... and now I am ready to make worm towers to place right in the centre of the gardens to help with soil enrichment. I'm looking forward to connecting with others who know more than we do about square foot gardening, so we can improve our gardens and the health of the children of the village.

Luci Dawson 11/12/2011, 11:07 am

$glad you\'re here$ to the Forum!

I'm a newbie to SFG, but I've learned a lot by checking the Forum every day and following several threads. I know you'll find the warmth and knowledge of those more experienced to be a real blessing as I have.

One tip: Do use the search box liberally at the top left above the list of latest topics. That's what I do if I have a question or if I'm wondering about something. More often than not, somewhere in the Forum it's been answered...and usually with pictures!!!

jamesmusslewhite 11/25/2011, 4:13 am

I would suggest you research the subject of "Dark Terra". It was believed it derived from the applications of charcoals back into the soils. It is quite an interesting subject to any enthusiast of soil organics and soil science. It might help give you dome valued ideas on how to help farm soils.

I am presently trying to see how it applies to the soils here in the Philippines.

Chopper 11/25/2011, 5:31 pm

I hope someone corrects me if I am wrong, but I believe that for third world countries an all compost soil was recommended. Homemade of course. I am thinking that combining SFG with lasagna (layering vegetable debris (future compost) right on the spot it will be used) would work.

I ran out of money about box 7 so for box 8 I dumped a small trash can of almost finished compost into a box. It was right on the soil so worms happen. I let it sit for a month and a half or so and it turned out to be one of my best boxes. It does not have the lightness of Mels Mix, but sometimes conditions are not perfect, as with your challenges in Guatemala.

Otherwise, I think the worm farm composting is brilliant.

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Gardening in the Jungle

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