Search
Latest topics
» Onions. Walk on?by OhioGardener Today at 9:25 am
» Bokashi
by OhioGardener Today at 8:13 am
» New to SFG and in Virgina
by sanderson Today at 1:38 am
» Compost bins: Open vs. closed
by Scorpio Rising Yesterday at 10:38 am
» Recommended store bought compost - Photos of composts
by sanderson 3/26/2024, 5:56 pm
» 6 metal trellis frames
by docachna 3/25/2024, 4:31 pm
» N & C Midwest: March and April 2024
by Scorpio Rising 3/24/2024, 3:01 pm
» What Have You Picked From Your Garden Today
by OhioGardener 3/24/2024, 1:28 pm
» Senseless Banter...
by OhioGardener 3/23/2024, 6:02 pm
» Joann's fabric bankruptcy
by neefer 3/23/2024, 12:33 am
» New gardener from Santa Fe NM
by CantersVary 3/22/2024, 7:50 pm
» Kiwi's SFG Adventure
by KiwiSFGnewbie 3/22/2024, 5:07 pm
» Heat Mat Temperature Test
by OhioGardener 3/22/2024, 2:09 pm
» Victory Garden Reboot
by Scorpio Rising 3/22/2024, 11:53 am
» Mark's first SFG
by sanderson 3/22/2024, 11:43 am
» Commercial (bagged or bulk) compost question
by Mikesgardn 3/21/2024, 7:09 pm
» Think Spring 2024
by Scorpio Rising 3/20/2024, 10:34 am
» Fire Ring / Round Raised Bed Planter
by sanderson 3/19/2024, 4:51 pm
» Galvanized Fire Ring for Rhubarb Raised Beds?
by OhioGardener 3/18/2024, 10:34 am
» Happy St. Patrick's Day
by Scorpio Rising 3/17/2024, 5:54 pm
» Happy Birthday!!
by Scorpio Rising 3/11/2024, 10:28 am
» What are you eating from your garden today?
by Scorpio Rising 3/10/2024, 8:38 pm
» Why I love Oregano in the garden.
by OhioGardener 3/10/2024, 8:16 am
» Comfrey
by OhioGardener 3/9/2024, 6:07 pm
» Sealing Barrels Flowers Struggling-Need Ideas
by Turan 3/9/2024, 3:09 pm
» Hello again from a slightly different part of Central PA!
by sanderson 3/9/2024, 1:46 pm
» Chicken manure compost
by Oopsiedaisy 3/8/2024, 7:56 pm
» Chinese Broccoli
by sanderson 3/7/2024, 10:28 pm
» Heat Mat Lifespan
by Scorpio Rising 3/7/2024, 9:33 am
» Now is The Time To Take Seed Inventory
by OhioGardener 3/6/2024, 4:36 pm
Google
Pre-Made Mix
+2
cindre2000
otherguy
6 posters
Page 1 of 1
Pre-Made Mix
Has anyone bought the pre-made Mel's Mix? I assume you can get it at Home Depot or Lowes?
Did it work for you?
Just thinking it might be the best way to go for my first bed.
Thanks for any thoughts on it.
Did it work for you?
Just thinking it might be the best way to go for my first bed.
Thanks for any thoughts on it.
otherguy- Posts : 7
Join date : 2012-06-19
Location : Zone 5B
Re: Pre-Made Mix
I have never used pre-bagged Mel's Mix. When I started my first beds, I used 2 bags of vermiculite, 2 bags of peat, and 5 bags each of Mushroom Compost and Black Kow (3 4'x4' beds). I top dressed with Black Hen and I watered with Fish Emulsion and Seaweed Extract.
Since those long lost days, I have added whatever new fertilizer/compost I could find. As well as compost I make out of our home, garden, and yard waste.
--
I just recommend avoiding the Garden mix, or Potting Mix that you often see at the big box stores. They are largely filler with a dash of chemical fertilizer.
Isaac
Since those long lost days, I have added whatever new fertilizer/compost I could find. As well as compost I make out of our home, garden, and yard waste.
--
I just recommend avoiding the Garden mix, or Potting Mix that you often see at the big box stores. They are largely filler with a dash of chemical fertilizer.
Isaac
cindre2000- Posts : 34
Join date : 2013-01-16
Location : Columbia, SC
Re: Pre-Made Mix
Last year there were some troubles with the companies making the SFG Brand of Mel's Mix. It required the addition of more compost. I have not heard that these troubles were resolved, but at this point I would encourage you to make your own Mel's Mix, it really is quite easy. Takes your time and hunt around for multiple types of compost. Maybe someone has listed on the vermiculite data base a store that sells the vermiculite near your location. Building a garden takes time, determination and tenacity, but it's not all that difficult.
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Pre-Made Mix
I went by Home Depot today just to poke around and they of course had peat, didn't see any vermiculite and had three different compost (mushroom, cow, cotton burr). I guess really I just need two more compost and find the vermiculite.
I am only do one 4x4 bed right now, that's all I can get away with until the wife see the results then I will be given the go ahead to do more, but I will always have to buy compost as its not feasible to do our own at this house.
I am only do one 4x4 bed right now, that's all I can get away with until the wife see the results then I will be given the go ahead to do more, but I will always have to buy compost as its not feasible to do our own at this house.
otherguy- Posts : 7
Join date : 2012-06-19
Location : Zone 5B
Re: Pre-Made Mix
When I went to Home Depot here I saw they had Garden Time Mix for $11/bag and only four left on the pallet. That was the day I went after vermiculite only to find they only carried medium grade. The only course they had was pearlite. I did pick up a couple of bags of compost though. Later I checked their online store and couldn't find Garden Time, now there is something else that looks like Mel on the bag for about $8/bag. Go figure. I'll be putting my mix together next week, weather permitting.
Guest- Guest
Re: Pre-Made Mix
You can order vermiculite and Ecoscraps compost from HD online - free shipping with a $45 minimum. This week I saw vermiculite inside by the seeds and potting supplies at my local HD.otherguy wrote:I went by Home Depot today just to poke around and they of course had peat, didn't see any vermiculite and had three different compost (mushroom, cow, cotton burr). I guess really I just need two more compost and find the vermiculite.
I am only do one 4x4 bed right now, that's all I can get away with until the wife see the results then I will be given the go ahead to do more, but I will always have to buy compost as its not feasible to do our own at this house.
What area are you in?
Lindacol- Posts : 777
Join date : 2011-01-23
Location : Bloomington, CA
Re: Pre-Made Mix
Perlite is a perfectly acceptable alternative to vermiculite.otherguy wrote:I went by Home Depot today just to poke around and they of course had peat, didn't see any vermiculite and had three different compost (mushroom, cow, cotton burr). I guess really I just need two more compost and find the vermiculite.
Thanks to Wardnwake, here is the SFG vermiculite database.
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Pre-Made Mix
camprn wrote:otherguy wrote:I went by Home Depot today just to poke around and they of course had peat, didn't see any vermiculite and had three different compost (mushroom, cow, cotton burr). I guess really I just need two more compost and find the vermiculite.Gunny's Garden wrote:...I went after vermiculite only to find they only carried medium grade. The only course they had was pearlite.
Perlite is a perfectly acceptable alternative to vermiculite.
Thanks to Wardnwake, here is the SFG vermiculite database.
Gunny's Garden wrote:Don't let Mel here you say that
In the ANSFG Book, on pages 99-100 Mel writes about vermiculite and perlite. He prefers the vermiculite because he doesn't like the texture or the moisture holding level of the perlite, in addition to a few other things, including that it makes him sneeze. In the end he writes, "It's a matter of preference and availability...".
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Pre-Made Mix
Yes, drainage, aeration and water retention. http://www.schundler.com/peat-per.htmdonnainzone10 wrote:Doesn't perlite promote drainage?
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Pre-Made Mix
LOL, Sorry Gunny, no worries! The only point I was really trying to make, whilst totally hijacking this thread, is if one cannot find a pre-made Mel's mix and if one chooses to make their own mix, and that person cannot find vermiculite.... perlite is ok to use. LOLGunny's Garden wrote:OK, Stickler, I give up.
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Pre-Made Mix
We have had many problems with the Pre made mix....make your own. It was more than just adding more compost, which we tried. You can PM me if you'd like any more info. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!!
southern gardener- Posts : 1887
Join date : 2011-06-21
Age : 43
Location : california, zone 10a
Similar topics
» The oven is a great germinator - as long as you dont forget!
» COMPOST
» Look what I made...
» Help? Followed SFG to a T and plants won't grow
» Watering systems
» COMPOST
» Look what I made...
» Help? Followed SFG to a T and plants won't grow
» Watering systems
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|