Hello from soon to be snowy WV

wvnurse1 1/20/2016, 8:52 am

Hello Group!

I just learned about square foot gardening and an SO very excited to get started this year. My son has to grow food for a merit badge and this is going to be our method. We also are starting beekeeping so the two should work extremely well together!

We have not built out boxes or gotten started yet so any advice is VERY welcome!

**trolleydriver** 1/20/2016, 1:26 pm

Hi WV. Welcome from Ottawa Canada to this great forum where the people are friendly and advice is readily available. Looking forward to seeing photos of your SFG. We really like photos!

mschaef 1/20/2016, 2:03 pm

Hello and $glad you\'re here$ to the forum. Since its going to be snowy for a bit for you now is the time to start planning how many and what size of boxes you want. Also pricing out the cost of materials for the boxes and getting the ingredients for Mel's mix. Than the fun part figuring out what to plant. My suggestion is look at your grocery recipes and see what you buy that you can grow. That way your not growing something that no one will eat. If you have any more specific questions just ask. We like sharing ideas and brainstorming together. Have fun with your new adventure into gardening and bees!

**sanderson** 1/20/2016, 4:16 pm

Hi there, and Welcome to the Forum from California! $glad you\'re here$ We are here to help you with your new SFG. Ask away. . .

Couple of things to be thinking about during your planning.
1. Got any trees or bushes near the garden spot? To prevent the roots from coming up in the beds, elevate them off the ground, even just the thickness of a 2" x 4" board (1 1/2").

2. Finding 5 different ingredients (sources of compost) for the 5-way blend of compost you will make is the most important step for nutritious Mel's Mix.

We love photos and will enjoy watching your journey. Very Happy

**Scorpio Rising** 1/20/2016, 5:50 pm

Hi and Welcome wvnurse! You are going to love SFG! And having the project will be a great way to document the whole thing, both my boys were Scouts, great program and experience, IMO.

I would suggest getting Mel Bartholomew's 2nd Edition Square Foot Gardening from your library, or if you want, buy online. I use it all the time, it is the go-to resource for us all. It will give you some great ideas, and this website, I am telling you, is amazing!

Honestly, I learned as much from my own first season with All New 2nd Ed version as I did from folks, because all our areas and plants and microclimates are so specific. Keep notes, what worked, what you loved, what you didn't eat, etc.

$glad you\'re here$

**Kelejan** 1/20/2016, 8:36 pm

$glad you\'re here$ vwnurse happy hi

from Kelejan :canada:

I endorse everything said so far on your welcome thread. Don't be afraid to ask what you may think are stupid questions. We laugh with you, not at you.
We all started from nothing. Very Happy

**jimmy cee** 1/21/2016, 8:42 am

Welcome nurse.
Here are a few of what I consider very important
learn composting...local recycle centers may have some in the spring
careful of trees in the area.. A locust tree 50 feet away took it's roots into all of my beds.
Since your yet to build, consider elevating your beds...you won't get any younger
vermiculite...local mom and pop farm supply shops are able to order it for you...$20 to $30 for a 4 cubic foot bag is a good price in my opinion. Super course is also available to be ordered.
place beds in good sunlight areas, you can always shade if needed.
And the most important is...Take no shortcuts, if you do, you wont be happy.

Good Luck and enjoy your journey, it's wonderful.

**AtlantaMarie** 1/21/2016, 1:57 pm

Hi WVnurse1. Welcome from Atlanta, GA! My ex-in-law's had a farm near Blackwater Falls... LOVED it up there!

If you're planting next to a fence, be sure to put black plastic or something between the fence line & your beds to keep grass & weeds from growing between them. I'd join in saying that it'd be better to elevate the beds as well....

Have fun! Post pix. Ask lots of questions. And be sure to check out the archives here in the forum. LOTS of hard won advice to be had.

MelF77 1/22/2016, 6:56 am

Beekeeping, you lucky duck. That sounds like a lot of fun. Please post pictures of your progress with your garden beds and bees.

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	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.