Hello from South Carolina!

Hi everyone, I have been lurking in the forums the past few days, so figured I should introduce myself. I live in Columbia, SC and I think I'm on the verge of zones 7b and 8a, lower and middle south. I'm going to look in both regional groups for advice.

My boyfriend and I picked up ANSFG last year at a Big Lots (discount store) for maybe $4.00, just as something to learn about. Well, we got a pretty late start b/c we thought we were going to move and then didn't. Last year I had 4 4x4s and 2 containers I planted sweet potatoes in. I just did not know enough about each particular plant and combine that w/ my late start, my garden was essentially a bust except for my cucumbers. But that's ok, because I learned a lot! I'm pretty sure I need to adjust my MM b/c one bed is off, so I'm going to build a couple more beds, unsure of the size, redo my MM and shift my garden so it gets more sun.

I'm hoping to get my plan layed out so I can post it in the forums and get suggestions soon.

Looking forward to hearing about everyone's spring garden!

Alaina

Alaina, glad to have you join us. Since you lurked a bit first, I hope you saw what a nice group of people we have here.

What a great way to get started, reading the ALL NEW SQUARE FOOT GARDENING BOOK and getting 4 - 4X4s started. That is quite an accomplishment.

If you are unsure whether your MM was correct, please read this thread,HOW STRONG IS YOUR BACKBONE because there is a LOT of information on selcting compost varieties and suggestions for getting your mix just right. Moving those boxes to a sunnier spot may be just the thing to get your garden going.

Please keep us posted on your progress

Welcome & good luck this year. Be sure to keep us up to date with pictures.

Hey Alena!

I am also here in Lexington, South Carolina. We are practically neighbors! Our cucumbers did well, too. But we had a lot of problems with squash bugs! We are still growing cabbages and Brussel sprouts. I'd love to chat with you. We have a good size group of SFG'ers here.

I can't wait to see your posts!

Greetings Alaina and Davanna,

I'm going to give you both a warm welcome here on the forum.....

Looks like both of you two are just on the border of where the Lower and Middle South meet. I'm just up I-77 outside of Rock Hill. Check out the middle south forum when you get a chance. We have "sticky" posts located at the top with planting dates and other such vital information and I post videos to help people visualize the set-up.

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/f9-middle-south

Let me know if i can help in anyway. SFG is a blast and a breeze. You 'll love those yummy veggies.

I'm pretty sure I need to adjust my MM b/c one bed is off, so I'm going to build a couple more beds, unsure of the size, redo my MM and shift my garden so it gets more sun.

This happens all the time and the learning curve is what makes you into a solid gardener as you get some seasons under you belt. Even though you got a late start last time, you are bound to hit the ground running this time around with the experience you now have

Again, great to have some more South Carolinians here on the forum. Pls update me and the rest of us on your progress We love pics !!!

welcome misc! I live in a similar zone in TX - right on the line between zones. I did some sweet potatoes this past year as well - they came out a moderate success I guess - trying again this year. Did you start your own slips or did you buy some? I bought mine from tatorman (http://www.tatorman.com/) and was happy with the cost and shipping. I used tubs, but I think I am going to plant them in my front flower beds this year.... TAKE THAT HOA!

Thanks for the welcome! I've been reading that thread about MM. I'm from Charleston, SC, and going to visit family in a week or two and I might see if I can get some different compost types like the shrimp since it's on the coast.

I had planned last year on taking lots of pictures, but didn't - this year I am going to do better. I'm really close to my grandma, and we chat several times a week so I was telling her about how I'm trying to plan my spring garden and she's interested in seeing the garden. Not that at 91 she can physically get out there, but she just likes to stay in the loop and who wouldn't want to see lovely garden pictures?! So I am definitely going to take pictures!

It's really nice having some local people! There are some people down my street that SFG, but I don't know them and now they have a fence so I can't see their garden. I always noticed it when I was walking my dogs and was too shy to say "hey, I'm starting SFG too!" Don't know why I didn't now. Maybe if I see them out I will say hello.

@ashort - I did sweet potatos from plants since I started so late last year and they did well. This year I'm doing slips though.