So excited to find you!

I'm Trish, and I am physically handicapped and suffer from depression and anxiety disorder. Last year was the first time in YEARS that I was able to attempt a square foot garden again. It helped me want to get up and get interested in life again. I have the 'old' version of sfg, but can't afford to get the new one so will have to do my best. Last year I planted zucchini, tomatoes eggplant, italian pepper, swiss chard and I can't remember what else, oh, marigolds. Other than some critter stealing my zucchini fruits and being terrified by the tomato worm I had a nice small steady harvest.

I am so excited to be able to garden this year, ( I have a 10# limit on lifting, bad knees and joints,etc) and have my seeds. I can't wait to get tips from you experienced sfg!

Oh, I also foster rescue dogs, have one chihuahua of my own, one cat (also rescue) and a gorgeous lime parakeet named Henri.

I'm glad you're here!

Hi Trish & welcome to the Forum!

Can you borrow the All New SFG book from the library? There are SOOOO many changes that it's almost a whole new system.

Kim

If your local library doesn't have it. Maybe some of us could chip in and get you a copy?

I don't know why I didn't think of that. Our local library is pretty sad, but I can get it from another area. THANKS

Welcome to the board! Make sure it is the full edition. There is a condensed edition that is not a good.

Welcome to the best gardening forum around. When I discovered the old SFG book in 2009 and put in my beds, it became a whole new world for me. You can add the Mel's Mix (discussed in the All New SFG book) to the top 6" of your boxes later and it'll all work just fine. Do what you can for now and don't let it bother you. Just enjoy the thrill of growing your own food. There's nothing like the flavor of something you've grown with your own two hands.

jamesindetroit wrote:If your local library doesn't have it. Maybe some of us could chip in and get you a copy?

That is very nice of you to suggest that, very kind, but I will try to get one somewhere, somehow.

I appreciate the thought!

Amazon has the e-book version for $9.99 and it can then be downloaded using the free Kindle for PC app. i prefer the in my hand book, but it was $19.95 plus tax.

Kay

Hi Trish, and to the forum!

Trish, glad you found us.

Looking forward to hearing of the progress in your garden.

I am so glad to find this forum. I am looking forward to all the tips and insights. I hope I can contribute as well.

One thing I will tell you is that someone has generously offered me a SFG book. Tears came to my eyes! I never in my wildest dreams expected that. I truly appreciate it. My husband is in another state right now because work is so scarce for us here. It has been pretty difficult, esp. considering my handicaps. So that generous act will never be forgotten.

Now, a tip that I going to do this year. Even though the tomato worm scares me half to death, I am going to plant extra tomatoes just for them to feast on. A local gardener told me the resulting moth (I think it was moth, not butterfly) is getting rare.......because people kill the catepillar, but it is a very beautiful moth. I say I'll give it a try. But if you all hear a terrifying scream come summer, you'll know it didn't go well.
Thank you again for the warm welcome!

My garden saved my life. I have heart issues and stress was killing me. Now I go out in my garden and all the days woes just drift away.

I agree with Shannon; gardening is the best therapy.

Yes. I agree. As a social worker, in mental health, the garden is my therapy...and if you spend 30 minutes per day of rigourous gardening..(whatever that is) you will also be doing good cardio for your heart!

jamesindetroit wrote:Yes. I agree. As a social worker, in mental health, the garden is my therapy...and if you spend 30 minutes per day of rigourous gardening..(whatever that is) you will also be doing good cardio for your heart!

SFG is not cardio once the beds are built. Mixing a batch of MM can give you a workout. But pulling weeds in a traditional row garden sure is. I sure agree on the mental health boost and fresh vegetables sure improve the diet.

Kay

Yes, a garden can be great therapy, but I find it extremely depressing if I plant things and am not able to take care of them. I have an excellent Psyc. who has brought me from a bed bound mass of nerves to a person who is up and doing what I can physically do. It is so encouraging to have the fog lifted. Last year was the first attempt at a veg. garden in probably ten years. It is very near the house, and by the gravel drive, so I don't have to walk in uneven ground. Hubby has to pull out garden hose, I can't do that. (Disc issues) I have a 4x12 foot raised bed that hubby put old horse manure and black dirt.

I love the SFG. because I want to just have some veggies for the table as the seasons go along. I don't want to get overwhelmed. My mother in law gave me her extra warming mat and it is plenty big enough to start the veggies I want.

I love sweet potatoes and they are so good for you. I know they aren't practical for a square foot garden, but I was wondering if my husband planted them and we mulched them, would I need to do much? I can't dig, or pull hard on stuff. We have space- but I couldn't walk out there much because the ground is not even and it kills my back and knees.

TrishTheDish wrote:

I love sweet potatoes and they are so good for you. I know they aren't practical for a square foot garden, but I was wondering if my husband planted them and we mulched them, would I need to do much? I can't dig, or pull hard on stuff. We have space- but I couldn't walk out there much because the ground is not even and it kills my back and knees.

I had a 2X2 box with just sweet potatoes. They were prolific. I just planted the slips and left them essentially. You might need a trowel to get them out, but if it is a table top, it should not be too hard. Just let the leverage of the handle do the work.

How far apart? That sounds wonderful! I've never grown them before........ do you buy the slips or start them from organic sweet potatoes?

I actually grew the slips myself from a sweet potato from the store. It took FOREVER. I was just about to give up and throw them out when they finally started growing. I just suspended them in water on a windowsill.

I planted 5 slips. One in each quadrant and one in the middle.

Another great idea!

jamesindetroit wrote:Yes. I agree. As a social worker, in mental health, the garden is my therapy...and if you spend 30 minutes per day of rigourous gardening..(whatever that is) you will also be doing good cardio for your heart!

I think we call it row gardening or landscapeing. LOL