New to Sq. Ft. Gardening

Hi!  I'm new to square ft gardening.  Health and mobility issues have kept me out of my big garden and flower beds for years now and I so miss it.  A friend recommended I try square foot gardening.  I have questions about this and some of the products.  Since my hubby is committed to his plot of ground, I am on my own in this endeavor so will need to look into purchasing the kit and not building my own out of non-treated lumber.  Can anyone tell me if the corner posts that are sold on this site is what you would mount the 4 x 4 vinyl box on?  How high off the ground will it be?  Is it something I could put on a deck rather than in the yard?  Like I said, I have lots of questions and would greatly appreciate any guidance/advise.  Thanks in advance!
GardeningGwen

Hi Gwen!  Welcome from Atlanta, GA!  Glad you found us.

Have you read All New SFG (2nd Edition)?  I'd be surprised if you couldn't find it at the library...

I actually found put-together kits at Sam's Club.  Can't remember the cost, but I think around $40 (here in our area).  That would certainly be an option.

Yes, you can put this on your deck.  You could make (or sweet-talk hubby) into making what are called Table Tops (TT's for short) so you wouldn't even have to bend over!

My first recommendation is look thru the archives under the gallery to see different pictures of what folks have come up with.

Welcome again!


PS - You might want to look at Self-watering containers for patios & balconies that CitizenKate has posted.  She has some really good ideas there.

Hi Gwen and welcome.  I am also from the Atlanta area.  I opted to use some prefab/put-together-yourself 4x4 beds and I bought mine from Amazon.  However, I've noticed that Sams and Costco have some very good deals this time of year.

Thank you to both Atlanta Marie and Windmere.  I will go pick up the book (told they have it at Lowes) and also check out at Sam's.  I hope to be able to do this.  Thank you again!

If you are talking about the vinyl posts in the SFG store, it looks to me like they and the box would rest on the ground.  I tried to copy a picture but couldn't make it work.  There is a learning curve, but you will get there!

 and welcome to the forum gardeninggwen!

There are sure a lot more things in the sfg store people may want to check out!

Gardeninggwen, Welcome to the Forum from California!  Once you have read the book, you will probably have questions.  We are here to help.

My husband built these for me.  Two feet high. I do all the gardening and care, but I need his strength to built things.  I could do it but it would take me 10 times longer and be murder on my back.

Yes, you can put the boxes on the deck but will probably want a plywood bottom slightly raised, so the wood deck won't rot.  Another viable option is the large size black concrete mixing pans at Home Depot.  They are 2" x 3', light weight and about 8" deep.  If you have do do the project yourself, can you drill 1/2" holes in the bottom and set them on 1" x 2" stakes for good drainage? You can grow tomatoes, flowers, pepper, lettuce, radishes, almost anything.  Line the bottom with weed fabric, then fill with the Mel's Mix.  Here's a photo of a cement pan in a wood fame with wheels.

sanderson, those are some nice looking boxes...I like the dark wood accent for the legs.

Landarch, Thanks. I do too! The dark wood just so happens to be the modern treated 4" x 4" wood, for ground contact.

The lights are a nice touch. I'll be stealing er borrowing that idea.

gardeninggwen

I am sure you are going to be very happy doing gardening this way after not being able to garden for some time.

Set up is the most expensive part but when you get going you will find gardening very enjoyable once again.

We will look forward to your progress as we love first time endeavours. A picture or two would be lovely.

FRED58 wrote:The lights are a nice touch. I'll be stealing er borrowing that idea.

Mine? Thanks, a little whimsy plus helps me find my footing at night walking around the yard as they are scattered all over.

Saw this in a flyer for Tractor Supply Company
A 4x4 raised bed for $99.
It may be a good way to get started.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/discover-home-products-elevated-garden-72-in-x-48-in-x-29-in


I did notice the bottom is sloped so the center is much deeper then by the ends w/o the shelves.

That is a nice set up.  I calculated the cost to build a 4 x 8 without it being raised and not using cedar for the sides and it was going to be $82 purchasing materials at Lowes.  Then hubby donated the OSB from his shop (leftovers from a job)  so went with the cedar. My total cost so far for the entire set up....soil, etc has been less than $115.00 (was $108 but need to go back and get some more stuff for soil mixture)  I thought that was pretty good.

I just saw your other post...looks really nice