Square Foot Gardening Forum
[table bgcolor=#000000 height=275][tr][td]
Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening? Toplef10Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening? 1zd3ho10

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.

Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening? I22gcj10Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening? 14dhcg10

[/td][/tr][/table]

Join the forum, it's quick and easy

Square Foot Gardening Forum
[table bgcolor=#000000 height=275][tr][td]
Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening? Toplef10Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening? 1zd3ho10

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.

Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening? I22gcj10Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening? 14dhcg10

[/td][/tr][/table]
Square Foot Gardening Forum
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.
Search
 
 

Display results as :
 

 


Rechercher Advanced Search

Latest topics
» N & C Midwest: November/December 2023
by sanderson Yesterday at 9:23 pm

» FREE Online SFG Class - November 28, 2023
by sanderson Yesterday at 9:21 pm

» Strawberry Varieties?
by Chuck d'Argy Yesterday at 2:23 pm

» Mini-Raised Beds?
by Chuck d'Argy Yesterday at 2:14 pm

» Happy Birthday!!
by sanderson 11/26/2023, 10:58 pm

» Mark's first SFG
by sanderson 11/26/2023, 10:56 pm

» Name the mystery (to me) seedlings! :-)
by Psdumas 11/25/2023, 12:04 am

» What Have You Picked From Your Garden Today
by markqz 11/24/2023, 4:20 pm

» Senseless Banter...
by sanderson 11/23/2023, 1:49 pm

» Happy Thanksgiving from the USA
by sanderson 11/23/2023, 1:47 pm

» Strawberries in MM: to feed or not to feed?
by Scorpio Rising 11/22/2023, 10:42 pm

» Guatemalan Green Ayote Squash
by OhioGardener 11/21/2023, 8:27 am

» Kiwi's SFG Adventure
by sanderson 11/20/2023, 2:06 pm

» Seeds 'n Such Early Order Seeds
by sanderson 11/20/2023, 1:13 pm

» USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
by OhioGardener 11/19/2023, 7:12 am

» AeroGarden for starting seeds?
by OhioGardener 11/16/2023, 12:40 pm

» Biochar?
by OhioGardener 11/16/2023, 10:31 am

» 2023 - Updated U.S. Interactive Plant Hardiness Map
by sanderson 11/15/2023, 6:18 pm

» SFG Is Intensive Gardening
by sanderson 11/14/2023, 3:26 pm

» Teaming with Microbes Kindle Sale (Mem. Day weekend 2023)
by markqz 11/10/2023, 12:42 am

» Bok Choy Hors d'oeuvres
by donnainzone5 11/9/2023, 5:58 pm

» Now is the Time to Start Preparing Next Year's Spring Garden
by OhioGardener 11/9/2023, 7:13 am

» Shocking Reality: Is Urine the Ultimate Gardening Hack or Disaster?
by dstack 11/6/2023, 5:29 pm

» Nightmare on Mel Street.
by Scorpio Rising 11/4/2023, 6:37 pm

» Aerogardening
by Scorpio Rising 11/3/2023, 10:02 am

» Sunday All Purpose Organic Garden Nutrients
by lisawallace88 11/3/2023, 9:13 am

» Mid-summer seed sowing, how do you do it?
by KiwiSFGnewbie 11/2/2023, 8:04 pm

» N&C Midwest October 2023
by OhioGardener 11/1/2023, 8:49 am

» Fall Tree Colors
by Scorpio Rising 10/31/2023, 1:48 pm

» Freeze Dried Food
by lisawallace88 10/30/2023, 11:28 am

Google

Search SFG Forum

Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening?

4 posters

Go down

Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening? Empty Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening?

Post  Bunny J 7/26/2018, 4:42 pm

Hello there! It's been a long time since I've been here, but I'm still gardening. This year's garden (2018) is a little different, I've got 3 (4'x4') tabletops now, plus a few other beds of various sizes. I started all but the tomatoes and peppers from seed (new for me), and my neighbor planted the seeds while I was cooking; he put them in rows lol. So we shall see how that works out! My tomatoes and peppers not doing well because I forgot and.planted them in the same spot as last year, without amending the soil; could also be the weather. Trying some new veggies, and I got dwarf lemon and dwarf lime trees to add to the mix.

I do have a soil problem that I was hoping someone could help me with .... Before we planted in the tabletops, we sifted our old dirt to lighten it up, then mixed in some fresh potting soil and amended with worm castings, mushroom compost, chicken manure. I also have a milk jug with holes buried 3/4 in the center of each box. The problem is the water doesn't seep into the soil. I feel like I saturate the box, but when I check the soil under the surface it's like sawdust. Any thoughts?
Bunny J
Bunny J

Posts : 21
Join date : 2016-04-20
Location : 98465

Back to top Go down

Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening? Empty Re: Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening?

Post  Scorpio Rising 7/26/2018, 5:36 pm

Hi Bunny!  Can you add some vermiculite to add air space and water retention to the mix?  When I did old school SFG, I added sand to my dirt (clay) and that helped a lot with the water drainage.
Scorpio Rising
Scorpio Rising

Female Posts : 8608
Join date : 2015-06-12
Age : 61
Location : Ada, Ohio

Back to top Go down

Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening? Empty Re: Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening?

Post  Bunny J 7/26/2018, 6:39 pm

Hi Scorpio! Thanks for the warm welcome on that other thread Wink

To answer your questions ...

I have the newer book. I'm not sure how long ago I joined the forum, but it's awhile. I'm ashamed to say I've yet to follow Mel's method precisely. I'm retired now and working with a very tight budget, with that in mind, I didn't add the vermiculite because it's a huge expense to add to all my beds. I was afraid that was going to be the solution for my problem.

So adding sand doesn't make it not hold in moisture?? I guess I will have to get pics on here with my Kindle, then you can see what I mean.
Bunny J
Bunny J

Posts : 21
Join date : 2016-04-20
Location : 98465

Back to top Go down

Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening? Empty Re: Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening?

Post  sanderson 7/27/2018, 3:16 am

Hi Bunny, I think the only way to get the surface moist is to hand water with a hose attachment or top drip system and then add mulch. Your planting mix is what it is. Just keep adding good compost each time you plant and keep it moist. Looking forward to your photos, hopefully tomorrow. ??

____________________________

Find more about Weather in Fresno, CA
Click for weather forecast
sanderson
sanderson

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21330
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 75
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

https://connect.xfinity.com/appsuite/#!!&app=io.ox/mail&

Back to top Go down

Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening? Empty Re: Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening?

Post  AtlantaMarie 7/27/2018, 6:24 am

Hi again, Bunny.  

No, sand will not help hold moisture - the opposite, actually.  It makes it drain.

Sanderson's right - improve as you can.  I think a lot of us are in that same boat.

Did you use peat moss in your mix?  I know that it's miserable getting it wet, but then it does hold.  And mulch will help as well!
AtlantaMarie
AtlantaMarie

Certified SFG Instructor

Female Posts : 5591
Join date : 2014-03-18
Age : 60
Location : Buford, GA - Zones 7B/8A

http://www.defensivespecialties.com

Back to top Go down

Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening? Empty Re: Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening?

Post  Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum