Hello from Shenzhen, China

Hello all from Shenzhen in the south of China!

We are just across the border from Hong Kong and not far from Macau. My wife and I will be starting our first SFG this Spring/Summer on our apartment balcony.

Still getting things setup, but already found sources for vermiculite and peat moss. Just wanted to say hello and put the word out that we'll be doing this in Shenzhen. If there are any other SFG gardeners in our area, we'd be more than happy to share info and resources - where to get supplies, etc...

In addition, if there are any instructors or SFG Foundation people who might be interested in doing a workshop in south China, I know some developers who are highly interested in sustainability, green living and so on, and might be interested in sponsoring something.

Best Regards!

Welcome to the site ,
Do you have any of the books in SFG by Mel ????

If you've spent much time reading the site posts , you'll realize how effective the system is all over the world.

I've seen some of your other posts and read the replies , I think the biggest thing to realize is that it is five different types of composted material not any old material from five different sources .. not much difference in the words but a heck of difference in the end results.

If you haven't done it all ready get your own compost heap started and make the contents as varied as you can . I use absloutly anything that leaves the kitchen as waste in one of my composters most folk don't due to vermin problems.
I also do lots of mixed manured & animal beddings composts and when it is all finished I mix it in with the finished kitchen compost before I use it for replenishing the squares after harvesting.

I've seen several programmes on Discovery TV where most of the big cities of China are using Humanure and composted veg matter as a single soiless growth medium to grow acres and acres of salad type crops for export and home consumption.
Due to the composting method used there are no pathogens or other nasties carried forward.
There is a similar composting system called the " Berkley 18 day hot composting method " .. perhaps you can find somewhere to make your own heap away from your balcony .


I've visited several websites for roof gardens where the roof is reinforced after construction and water proof . Most seemed to be growing mosses or flowers and small trees in big plant pots .
Thre are some roof gardns that have been designed prior to construction but they were mainly in semi desert areas .

The weight of a solid SFG bed set up on a roof would neeed some serious engineering calculations done in the planning stages of construction and the set maximum number of beds would need to be enforced .

Thanks for the response!

Yes I have ALL NEW SQUARE FOOT GARDENING 2013 --- second edition and have read it through a couple times.

I am definitely convinced about the SFG system, as I had some friends back home years ago who had no previous experience and started their own SFG with amazing results. I ate veggies from their garden many times. Unfortunately, no longer have contact. So, can't get much advice there...

Thanks also for the composting tips - some good info to look into!
Normally, I would want to just get my garden set up first and then start my compost operation... but, I'm actually having trouble finding suitable compost sources (yes, I understand that the goal is compost from 5 different types of base material, minimum). I will probably find some soon... but, in the meantime, I want to get started with the composting too... So, all the advice is great! Definitely will research further...

surfmental
Don't forget you can grow upwards as well as on the flat.
Good growing to you!

surfmental, just wanted to you to the forum. Good luck.

My husband traveled to China and was in Shenzhen in 2010 and 2011 and would love to go back again. (He was in Hong Kong and Beijing, too.)

Welcome and good luck with your garden!

surfmental wrote:Hello all from Shenzhen in the south of China!

We are just across the border from Hong Kong and not far from Macau. My wife and I will be starting our first SFG this Spring/Summer on our apartment balcony.

Still getting things setup, but already found sources for vermiculite and peat moss. Just wanted to say hello and put the word out that we'll be doing this in Shenzhen. If there are any other SFG gardeners in our area, we'd be more than happy to share info and resources - where to get supplies, etc...

In addition, if there are any instructors or SFG Foundation people who might be interested in doing a workshop in south China, I know some developers who are highly interested in sustainability, green living and so on, and might be interested in sponsoring something.

Best Regards!