Hello from Eastern Massachusetts

Hi all,

I got Mel's book, ANSFG, from the local library a few weeks back. I have no idea how I heard about SFG, I think on a podcast, and now I have it ordered so I'll have my own copy. I was looking into hydroponics but my wife thought it sounded like a lot of work (and she is likely right). So we're going to try SFG for the first time.

I already have my first box built, I have my hardware cloth, weed barrier, peat moss, I've located vermiculite as a reasonable price, and I have 3 of the 5 types of compost located. I've also started my own compost with a couple of the spinning bins I bought to speed things up. I also have started lots of seeds indoors.

I haven't gardened since I was a kid so this will be a re-learning experience. If things go well I'll get a second SFG box going for a summer crop. I've already notice a few members nearby so maybe I'll connect with them but if anyone has any local tips, like where to find worms and my last two compost sources, please let me know.

-Dave

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

It sounds like you're off to a great start. My only advice is to check the contents of your bagged compost to make sure there's no peat in it - which is a common cheap filler. This would throw off your proportions.

On the Home page, scroll down and you'll find your Regional Forum and maybe get more local info.

Kim

sfg4uKim wrote:
On the Home page, scroll down and you'll find your Regional Forum and maybe get more local info.

Wow, Thanks Kim! I never scrolled down that far, there is so much content on the top half of the page I have yet to go through! I checked out my regional forum and I see the region host lives in the next town over from me...I'm hoping she'll have some great local resources...

You've come to a great place to learn! There are lots of people here who are very happy to share their experience with you. Hopefully one from your region will chime in soon; I live in the Coastal and Tropical South. I'm pretty new to SFG too, having just started my boxes a few weeks ago. I was always limited to pots & planters before, but I'm really excited to finally get things going in a "real" SFG!

In the meantime, I have a website you can visit to find worms:
http://www.findworms.com/suppliers/
Someone else here turned me to that source. I'll be driving down to Orlando sometime soon to pick up a pound of worms and start my own operation. The worm supplier will be a great resource in how to use them for composting, and there are several people here who keep their own worm operations as well.

where did you find vermiculite at a reasonable price?

Welcome from a neighbor to the north. This is the best way to garden.

Hi Neighbor! Welcome to the SFG Forum!

Marcucci, I get my purchased compost from some of the same stores you mention. I do find Russell's in Wayland to be less expensive than Mahoney's, but that is a hike for you, unless you end up near there in your travels. By the time you factor in gas and time, I'm sure it would be cheaper to buy at Mahoney's.

I have never found any bagged compost at Home Depot or the like.

Regarding worms, I found tons and tons and tons in my newly hot compost pile! I was very, very excited. But I am guessing you want pet worms so you can harvest their poop.

Now, gosh darn it, I have to blow you off again - I have a meeting to go to and I have to go get ready. Harumph. But I'll be back tonight, and I am sure there will be lots of people, hopefully local ones, to chime in on worm and compost sources.

2ndstoryprops wrote:where did you find vermiculite at a reasonable price?

Greenlifegardensupply.com in Billerica, MA. I'm planning on swinging by there tonight to verify but their site lists Vermiculite 8 qt @ $5, 20 qt @ $8, 4 cuft @ $27.50 which are some of the best retail local prices I've seen. They also have Perlite and Wiggle Worms.

Once I confirm I'll add them to the database.

-Dave

martha wrote:
Regarding worms, I found tons and tons and tons in my newly hot compost pile! I was very, very excited. But I am guessing you want pet worms so you can harvest their poop.

Thanks Martha! I'm so new to gardening I don't know what I want yet. I'm sure I'll learn a lot on here. I'm the type of person who like to learn so hopefully I'll do a lot of reading and be up to speed pretty quick.

Marcucci wrote:

2ndstoryprops wrote:where did you find vermiculite at a reasonable price?

Greenlifegardensupply.com in Billerica, MA. I'm planning on swinging by there tonight to verify but their site lists Vermiculite 8 qt @ $5, 20 qt @ $8, 4 cuft @ $27.50 which are some of the best retail local prices I've seen. They also have Perlite and Wiggle Worms.

Once I confirm I'll add them to the database.

-Dave

Just thought I'd update...they didn't have any when I went and said they'd get some from their store in ME the following day. I called the next day and they said they were having problems getting it from their supplier. They called back and said they won't be getting any. Back to the search....