Getting started in CT

Adenium 5/17/2012, 4:27 pm

Hi all. After 4 years landscaping our barren yard I'm finally turning my attention to veggies. It's been a shameful delay! I need to get the SFG book and get going. I'm hoping to glean info on soil media sources and the like - we're about to buy wood for a 4x8 12" tall bed to start with. Wishing I had compost stored up as it'll be expensive to fill with the recommended mix!

I welcome any tips on affordable local sources. I've got chickens coming and can't wait to harvest their valuable poop Very Happy

Should have gotten them sooner!

**walshevak** 5/17/2012, 5:48 pm

Welome. I'm glad you are getting the ALL NEW SQUAREFOOT GARDENING book. May I recommend you hold off on building your bed until you read the book. You may be able to save yourself a lot of time and money because you only need 6" of the Mel's Mix soil blend detailed in the book. The beds do not need to be 12" deep.

We here on the forum use the book as our go to manual for gardening. Also be sure to take pictures of your progress. We love pictures.

What are you planning on growing? We have lots of experienced gardeners who will be glad to help your out.

Kay

**sfg4uKim** 5/17/2012, 6:38 pm

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

I agree with Kay, you only need 6" of Mel's Mix. If you want to grow longer veggies (like carrots) you can make a "top hat" (extra 6" box) for an individual square. That saves a LOT of money!

Adenium 5/17/2012, 9:49 pm

My raised bed research so far had indicated that tomatoes for one want 12"...maybe we will go shallower. Our soil underneath is pretty crappy, so whatever is in the bed is what the plants get. For now I'd like to have tomatoes, lettuce, herbs, cucumbers, and peppers. I'll certainly add more - and I'd like to try potatoes with the tophat design.

If I had my way the bed would be about 30" for my prematurely aged back!

Thanks for the tips guys.

**walshevak** 5/18/2012, 7:19 am

Adenium wrote:My raised bed research so far had indicated that tomatoes for one want 12"...maybe we will go shallower. Our soil underneath is pretty crappy, so whatever is in the bed is what the plants get. For now I'd like to have tomatoes, lettuce, herbs, cucumbers, and peppers. I'll certainly add more - and I'd like to try potatoes with the tophat design.

If I had my way the bed would be about 30" for my prematurely aged back!

Thanks for the tips guys.

Please, please check out the number of postings here that show tomatos growing in 6" of Mels Mix. It really doesn't take 12" . The only things that need a deeper soil are carrots, parsnips, and potatos. Asparagus and Rhubard need deep soil, but they also need a dedicated area because they are a permanent crop.

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t4156-tomato-roots

Save your money on lumber and mix.

Also, you might want to investigte tabletop bed. Mine are sitting on top of cinderblocks and Boffer has some really neat ideas Sure saves my 69YO back.

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t41-table-tops-take-sfg-to-a-higher-level

Kay

littlesapphire 5/18/2012, 11:54 am

I've been SFGing for three years now, and six inches is really, truly, honestly all you need for all but the root crops! I've even seen root crops that live perfectly well in 6 inches. When they reach the bottom, they just turn the corner and start growing sideways, lol! Save yourself the money and the trouble and start with only 6 inches. If you're dissatisfied, you can always add more wood and mix later.

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	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.