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Google
Hello from Iowa
+2
grownsunshine
abyssa
6 posters
Page 1 of 1
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
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- Posts : 3
Join date : 2014-04-29
Location : Iowa
Re: Hello from Iowa
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!
grownsunshine- Posts : 255
Join date : 2013-05-22
Location : So Cal: Zone 10a
Re: Hello from Iowa
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.

Re: Hello from Iowa

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.
Dara-
Posts : 12
Join date : 2014-03-03
Location : Newton, Iowa; zone 4B-5A
Re: Hello from Iowa
Hi Abyssa! Welcome aboard!
Cathy
Cathy
catbranch-
Posts : 49
Join date : 2014-04-11
Age : 60
Location : Alabama - Zone 7B
Re: Hello from Iowa
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!!
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!!
abyssa- Posts : 3
Join date : 2014-04-29
Location : Iowa
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