Hello from Olive Branch, Mississippi

I've been reading the forum for a while and I appreciate all the good discussions. I finally decided to register so I could occasionally join the conversation.

I'm a Tennessean who recently moved to Olive Branch, Mississippi, a suburb of Memphis. I've been gardening for several years with mixed results. I initially started in hopes of a steady supply of tomatoes that tasted like the ones my grandfather and father used to grow. Each season I've expanded my garden a bit. Like most people, the first few years I was a row gardener. Last year, however, I changed that when I built three 4x8 boxes that were 12" deep and my results were much improved, but still not what I was hoping for, particularly for the amount of effort I expended. My plants did well, but a bit too well because I planted too much too close together and had inadequate supports. We ate a lot homegrown vegetables, but we wasted a lot as well. And by the middle of summer, weeds were a huge issue.

My dad changed the way he gardened when Mel's original book came out, so I've been aware of Mel and SFG for years. Early in March we took our family to the beach and while the kids collected shells and build sand castles, I read Mel's new SFG book cover to cover. I decided I would follow his advice as closely as possible. So, I have built four new 4x4 boxes that are 8" deep. They've got grids, Mel's Mix (What a process!), and are now ready to plant. I will probably build a couple of 2x16 boxes in the coming days.

Well Howdy from another transplanted Tennesseean. Sounds like you're having a blast with your gardens. Take pictures. Some of us really miss all the intense greens from back that way.