Hello from Iowa

Hello everyone! I live in the center of Iowa. I had a small raised vege bed in my last house but I didn't use it to it's full potential. I still had tremendous weeding because I didn't know about Mel's mix. My yields were small, I ended up frustrated by the weeds, and I ended up just growing tomato and chives. Very disheartening. I started my SFG last year at my new house. I have enjoyed the quick de-weeding process and great growing crops! I planted on a cement slab and it worked pretty well. I had to modify my SFG so they are 8X2. This way, I can trellis eight items and still reach for de-weeding and watering. The item that didn't produce were the brussel sprouts. I will say for the first time I was able to grow green/red peppers! I also had to devise a way to tower my tomato plants that weren't next to the trellis. I ended up using a bungee cord between the tomato stalk and the wood from the squares. It kept the tomatoes upright.
This year, I am devising a watering system that will go in the center of the square so it will be even easier yet! I have already re-composted and am ready to plant! I want to grow more that require a trellis. I replaced my garden fence (rabbit deterrent) from using a green plastic snow fence to chicken wire. The new fence is more stable and less heavy. Now, I am going to plant my snow peas and beans so they can use the fence as their trellis.
Wish everyone a happy and hearty growing season!
Abyssa

Abyssa - sounds like you're well on your way to a fruitful harvest. I'm glad you discovered SFG and didn't give up after your first attempt. I discovered roasted brussel sprouts...yummy, so I looked up growing them. I read they like cooler weather. I'll try growing them in the fall. Wishing you a great growing season too!

Hi Abyssa.  Glad you joined us!

Abyssa,  Welcome to the Forum!      Your beds are on a cement slab which is a testament to Mel's Mix and how weeding becomes a minor gardening chore.  It also puts to rest the question of whether plants need deep dirt to grow. Please post photos of your interesting garden. We love photos.

 
Hi Abyssa...I live just outside of Newton...where are you??  My grandson and I built two 4'X4' beds this month...they are in my yard...I have had several neighbors stop and seem very supportive. I have one end with a 4' tall copper trellis for cucumbers, a short white picket fence for my peas to climb, and green rubber/plastic coated rabbit fencing around the beds to keep the bunnies out.

I also have two 3' diameter X 3' tall black composting tubes in my front yard flower bed...they are serving this year as potato planters! I plan to disguise them with some antique garden gates planted with a vining plant of some kind...perhaps morning glories or sweet peas IF it ever quits raining!! 

So far, I have planted radishes, peas and spinach..which are all up and looking a tad soggy right now. I also have broccoli and brussel sprouts in milk jug greenhouses to set out when this rain lets up.

Hi Abyssa! Welcome aboard!

Cathy

Hi everyone! thanks for all the wonderful greetings! Hope everyone has a great growing season.

Dara, I actually live in WDM. We are not far from one another! I had the green fencing around my garden last year. This year I opted to go metal and got chicken wire to surround the garden beds. it looks nicer and I hope to use it to trellis my beans and snow peas.

I will post pictures soon!!