New Ohioan here- Hello!

Hi all,

I just wanted to introduce myself since I'll probably spend most of my time on this board. I heard about SFG last year through Gardenweb and bought the book. I planned on starting an SFG bed & a compost pile last year, but my pregnancy got the best of me.

We bought our first and forever home last year in London (just south of Columbus). We have 1.25 acre of land to play on and there is already a fenced in area that was once a garden. It actually has concord grape vines growing all along the top of the fence.

Im a beginner gardener. I have dabbled in container gardening with little success seeing as I had no idea what I was doing. Im hoping to start small this year with one large SFG (maybe a 4x12), get a compost pile going (already have pallets to make a bin), and learn a bit about canning/ freezing. Im researching and reading as much as I can right now to plan.

I'll probably ask a million questions and post a ton of pictures. Any tips or helpful hints are much appreciated.

Hi "Neighbor" and welcome to the forum.

I'm about 20 miles east of you just over the border in Fairfield county. Tip number one, you will do just fine with a solid reading of the All New Square Foot Gardening book. It has everything you need to be successful, we're here to help and share. Tip number two. Mel, the author usually recommends to start out small. I agree its best to get a feel for the process of building, buying materials, the growing process, making compost, etc. Making your own compost is superior to store bought, btw. But many buy compost when starting out.
Have fun this is a great place to hang out, learn, and laugh!

r&r
You are going the right way for a beginner, starting small. We will follow your progress with great interest. This site is a great place to be; I have learned a lot for it.
Kelejan, from still snow-on-the-ground British Columbia Southern Interior, just above Washington State.

Llama Momma- Hi neighbor!

I definitely want to start small. We have 2 young children we can barely keep up with. We have a lot of yard cleaning to do as well this spring/ summer so dont want to put too much on my plate.

A couple of questions for llama momma & others:

Where are you finding your vermiculite? I couldnt find it last year at any of the big box stores.

Manure- What kind and where are you buying? I noticed a few farmers posting on CL selling aged manure last year. I know Mel says to get a good mix. Does it being aged matter?

Where Im putting the raised bed is already fenced in, but rusty. Do I need to worry about the rust? Should I still make a critter lid for my bed? Im going to attempt posting a picture of the space. The fence is set in a concrete border. Its nice minus the rust.

You might find vermiculite sources in nurseries, garden centers, and also go to the Home page on this forum, scroll down and see Vermiculite listed, and the verm. data base. Call up places before burning up your car fuel. I found a nearby hydroponics store had it. Manure, I have llamas who are generous. Llamas, rabbits, sheep all have a mild type that won't burn plants. But usually its still best to age it first. Garden stores usually have plenty of cow and poultry manure. Just remember manure is one of the 5 possible parts of your compost portion of Mel's Mix. If you use manure then the other 4 parts are not more manure! In the end, compost is 1/3 of Mel's Mix. The other 2/3's of Mel's Mix consists of 1/3 peat and 1/3 vermiculite. So many folks misunderstand!
The rusty fence is a concern if it has sharp edges that could cut or poke your skin. Update your tetenus vaccine! It's a very good idea for all gardeners to be current. Your fence will be good to keep out dogs. Cats love mel's mix - as a litter box. A critter cover would keep them out. Works great and can be used to drape a cover if you need shade at some point too.

Welcome to the forum R&R!!

R&R. Sounds like you and hubby will be having lots of fun this Spring/Summer, lol! Do a search in the white box to the left and type in "How strong is your back bone". It explains a lot about composting.

R&R ,
Welcome to the world of ALL NEW SQUARE FOOT GARDENING .

You mention you have the older book .....as of a few days ago there is the new second edition available . Info and ISBN code are in my strap line .

This second edition superceeds all others and having just finished reading it for the second time to day I thoroughly reccommend you get it and read it if you can afford it, for there is a decent section about making fantastic compost for Mels mix .

There is also some updated crop info in it including planting /sowing charts.

Yep, after I read llama momma's post I found the composting 101 thread in the forum and reread the composting section in Mel's book. I spent all day reading and googling about compost/ composting yesterday! I think Ive got it down now. Im confident Ill be able to buy and put together a good mix this spring.

Im now starting to research seeds, what we want to grow and when we need to start, etc. As far as pests go, do you guys just treat them as they come up? Or is there a universal spray I should have on hand?

3 blocks from my home is a family run Farm & Garden shop.
A really older building thats been in town longer than I have.
They did have on stock medium vermiculite, however they could order coarse for me.
I ordered 3 bags and will order more as needed.
Try your local garden shops, big box stores aren't stocking what we need

R&R 1011 wrote:Yep, after I read llama momma's post I found the composting 101 thread in the forum and reread the composting section in Mel's book. I spent all day reading and googling about compost/ composting yesterday! I think Ive got it down now. Im confident Ill be able to buy and put together a good mix this spring.

Im now starting to research seeds, what we want to grow and when we need to start, etc. As far as pests go, do you guys just treat them as they come up? Or is there a universal spray I should have on hand?

The good thing is, nature will take it's course and compost happens
We do have an entire forum full of great information, that will probably answer just about any question or provide a solution or solutions to any problem or concern you may have about compost.

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/f53-forum

to the forum!

R&R 1011 wrote: As far as pests go, do you guys just treat them as they come up? Or is there a universal spray I should have on hand?

From an organic point of view you will find lots of info back on the Home page, scroll down to the 5th topic, SFG Talk, and it includes pests and disease. Hopefully you won't need to refer to it very often.

R&R 1011 wrote: As far as pests go, do you guys just treat them as they come up? Or is there a universal spray I should have on hand?

Welcome to the Forum!

As far as 'pests' go, please keep in mind that not all insects are pests, in fact some of your garden vegetables require pollination that is often accomplished by pollinating insects, bees are an example. Also, some of the worms feeding on foliage could turn into the most beautiful butterfly you have ever seen.

Broad spectrum spraying is not recommended. If any pesticide is used in the garden please READ AND FOLLOW ALL LABEL INSTRUCTIONS. Pay special attention if there is anything written about bees. Be alert in the garden, the plants will guide you in the event you need to intervene.

There are of course non chemical methods to protecting from certain pests in the garden. Cabbage worm is an example. If you cover the brassica plants with a netting, the moths are not able to land on the plant and deposit the eggs that hatch into the destructive cabbage worm.

There is a pests sub forum where you can learn more. I encourage you to also search on the web for information about garden pests common to your area and how to manage them.

Good luck with your garden.

Ive been busy planning my garden and just wanted to update. I called the nursery (Strader's) in my area suggested in the vermiculite database and they had vermiculite, but didnt know the grade and had 1 cub ft for $16.99.

I dont know if Im late to this, but I just found Mel's Mix at Home Depot online for 1.5 cub ft for $8.97. Beats running around all over town looking for everything. Its a warm day in Ohio, so going to head outside for a bit to clear the weeds in the garden area. I've got my seeds ordered and hope to get to the lumber yard today and pick up wood for our beds.

Holy cow - Don't get your vermiculite at strader's! If you are in madison county and don't mind the little trek over to s.e. franklin county get your vermiculite at indoor gardens near brice rd and 70. 4 cu.ft of coarse is 18.95, yes you read that right, its probably the cheapest in the USA. If you are in richland county sorry can't help you. I can't believe ohio has 2 london, ohio's! Silly state.

llama momma wrote:Holy cow - Don't get your vermiculite at strader's! If you are in madison county and don't mind the little trek over to s.e. franklin county get your vermiculite at indoor gardens near brice rd and 70. 4 cu.ft of coarse is 18.95, yes you read that right, its probably the cheapest in the USA. If you are in richland county sorry can't help you. I can't believe ohio has 2 london, ohio's! Silly state.

Ok, so I just saw on the main website that they have it listed that they are carrying Mel's mix at HD. Is it going to be more cost effective if I make my own versus buying Mel's bagged mix?

I bought my wood today.

R&R 1011 wrote:

llama momma wrote:Holy cow - Don't get your vermiculite at strader's! If you are in madison county and don't mind the little trek over to s.e. franklin county get your vermiculite at indoor gardens near brice rd and 70. 4 cu.ft of coarse is 18.95, yes you read that right, its probably the cheapest in the USA. If you are in richland county sorry can't help you. I can't believe ohio has 2 london, ohio's! Silly state.

Ok, so I just saw on the main website that they have it listed that they are carrying Mel's mix at HD. Is it going to be more cost effective if I make my own versus buying Mel's bagged mix?

I bought my wood today.

Ok, Im slowly piecing this together. I can get the vermiculite at indoor gardens & compost from price farms. How about the peat moss? Thanks, llama momma. I really do appreciate all of your help.

I get my peat moss without checking prices because I'm a bit out in the boondocks. The closest for me is either Dills Greenhouse in Canal Winchester right on rt 33 or Home D near there, or Menards in Lancaster. (depends on what errands I'm running that day) Remember the most economical purchase should be the 3.8 cu.ft. bale size that you will fluff up before measuring out. It should fluff up somewhat near double the 3.8 but I've heard others say its not so. I haven't pay that close attention to it. When its time to fill the boxes I'm so excited I guess I don't care

If you need it remember on the home page scroll down to Vermiculite - in this catagory is Mel's Mix calculator to help you with cu ft measurements for the boxes. Final thought-- if you go to indoor gardens and deal with Max at the counter, tell him Gina, the vermiculite and worm lady sent you.

Oh here is something else-- after visiting Indoor gardens, if you go south on Brice Road a couple miles, Schachts farm market may still have mushroom compost if you are interested in starting a compost heap, I'd call them first though. (614)837-4663

llama momma wrote:I get my peat moss without checking prices because I'm a bit out in the boondocks. The closest for me is either Dills Greenhouse in Canal Winchester right on rt 33 or Home D near there, or Menards in Lancaster. (depends on what errands I'm running that day) Remember the most economical purchase should be the 3.8 cu.ft. bale size that you will fluff up before measuring out. It should fluff up somewhat near double the 3.8 but I've heard others say its not so. I haven't pay that close attention to it. When its time to fill the boxes I'm so excited I guess I don't care

If you need it remember on the home page scroll down to Vermiculite - in this catagory is Mel's Mix calculator to help you with cu ft measurements for the boxes. Final thought-- if you go to indoor gardens and deal with Max at the counter, tell him Gina, the vermiculite and worm lady sent you.

Oh here is something else-- after visiting Indoor gardens, if you go south on Brice Road a couple miles, Schachts farm market may still have mushroom compost if you are interested in starting a compost heap, I'd call them first though. (614)837-4663

Ok, so I can pretty much get peat moss anywhere. Ill end up going to indoor gardens on Indianola since its right by my work. Ill call before I go to make sure they have the vermiculite. Price farms has mushroom, animal, and leaf compost so Ill grab some stuff for my compost bin while Im there. Thank you again, you are awesome!

Awesome, you say? well believe me that's gonna be hard to sustain..
But you might like to know that the southeast end of Cols. has a Very unique little place called Root Naturally. They carry a short list of specialty garden items and although they ship everything, the prices are far better if you pick up purchases yourself at their warehouse. Just google Root Naturally if interested. We are very fortunate to have everything we need for sfg and and neat little extras too, all in the Columbus area.

Ive got almost everything I need to make my boxes & compost bin. I still need to trek to Price Farms for the zoo & barnyard compost for my MM which I plan to do next Sat. I even started cleaning the weeds up & leveling the garden area yesterday when the weather was warmer. I need to work on making my grids and covers too.

I originally planned on doing 1 4x12 box, but got carried away. Oops. The area I have pictured on page 1 wouldnt give me enough aisle way with a 4x12 so Im doing 2 3x3's there & the 4x12 behind it. I also found that the 4x4 plastic (flimsy) raised bed frame I had won in a contest a couple of years ago is 12in deep. Im going to surround it with cinder blocks to make it more sturdy and use it for carrots (and possibly potatoes?).

We have a 3x12 stone edged bed that runs along our patio near the house. It currently houses a hot mess of ivy so we are going to pull that up and make it an herb bed. I still have to read up on what herbs will take over, which are peri's/ annuals, etc.

I started my seeds and have them on a floor register. Its been working great. The broccoli has sprouted. Im worried about the plants getting leggy using just window light, so I searched around the house and found 3 shop lights in the garage. I'll get new bulbs and set them up in the basement this week. Im now a little glad the previous owner left a lot of his junk behind.

So thats my progress & Im excited. Ive been non-stop reading the forum and other sources trying to learn as much as I can. I do have a non-SFG question. The previous owner has some elephant ear and canna lily bulbs in the basement. They have been down there for at least over a year. Are they still any good?

If they are still firm and not all dried up you may have a chance. Plant them in pots and see.

Kay

walshevak wrote:If they are still firm and not all dried up you may have a chance. Plant them in pots and see.

Kay

Thanks Kay. We shall see.

As always, Llama Momma pointed you in the right direction!

This is my second year doing SFG, I also get my compost from Price Farms and I got my vermiculite from Indoor Gardens. Just get through this first year of running, and then all you'll have to do is get compost in the future.

I'm in Cbus too, close to you - I actually used to work at Pickaway! ha!

Good luck with your gardens!

Welcome to the forum. There are a bunch of swell folks here that are very helpful. It looks like you are well on your way with your plans. Happy gardening!