Temporary SFG box?

set42geo 2/11/2013, 11:31 am

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with dismantling and storing their SFG for the winter.

You see, I live in an apartment, but there is a community garden just down the block. I've had limited success with in-ground SFG the last couple of years, and this year I thought I might like to try using boxes with Mel's mix. The problem is, a the end of the growing season, we are required to remove all plants and equipment from the garden. I think it would be pretty easy to dismantle the boxes and store them, but what about the mix? Do you think it's possible to put it in a bag and store it in a(unheated) garage for the winter? Should I build my boxes with bottoms to make it easier to recapture the mix? Or should I start with new mix each year?

Looking for opinions, even if you've not done this before.

Thank you,
Sarah

rebecca.sedlacek 2/11/2013, 12:29 pm

I don't think you will have any issues in storing mels mix and your box separately, as long as you use your weed barrier underneath. Having that barrier will act like a tarp when you're putting your mix away. I would just keep all of your compost bags so you'll have your winter storage bags. Don't forget when you're replacing the soil to add a scoop of fresh compost before you replant.

**Kelejan** 2/11/2013, 1:16 pm

$glad you\'re here$ ser42geo happy hi

Save your MM if you can. It is far too expemsive to do it new each year. If you place landscape cloth on the bottom, it should be easy to scoop up the MM without tearing. It should keep well in an unheated garage, then the next season reassemble your SFG bed, replace your MM and as rebecca said, ad some new compost to replace the compost used by your plants the previous year.

How many square feet will you be using?

Best of luck. sunny

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Temporary SFG box?

Temporary SFG box?

I think it would be ok to move and store

Re: Temporary SFG box?

Re: Temporary SFG box?


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