Greetings from southern Indiana

Hi, my name is Todd and I've been lurking on the forum and reading through old threads for about a month or so... figured it was about time to register and say hello.
I have been gardening for about 4 years or so, and have been using the "straw bale" method for the main veggie garden with pretty good results. My only issue with the straw bales has been from an efficiency standpoint. I had been thinking that there has to be a better way to get more output from my limited amount of space (I live in the city) so I started researching and stumbled across the SFG method. I was sold immediately and ordered a copy of Mel's book (2nd Edition).
I already had the wood to build a couple sfg beds because I had constructed boxes to hide the decomposing straw bales from public view, so I took advantage of a couple rare warm days we had last weekend and rebuilt the boxes into a 2ftx10ft bed and a 4ftx8ft bed, both 12 inches deep. (My wife enjoyed the aesthetic of the height of my bale boxes, so I tried to keep some of it which is why I made them 12 inches)
Now I'm in the process of gathering materials to create the Mel's Mix to fill them. (The thread about proper mix on this forum is fantastic)
Anyway, sorry for the long-winded post... I'm just really excited about implementing the SFG method this year!

Welcome Todd from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Sounds like you have done your homework and are on your way to a great year of Square Foot Gardening.

We look forward to reading about and seeing photos of your progress.

Welcome aboard, Todd, from a former Hoosier now living in SW Ohio!  As TD said, it sounds like you are off to a good start.

If you cannot find quantities of coarse vermiculite in your area, check out the A.M. Leonard site. They have 4 cu ft bags of it for a reasonable price, if the shipping wouldn't be too expensive to your area. They have 10% off right now (code 2A19PW), but some times shipping costs makes it cost prohibitive to ship.

A.M. Leonard Vermiculite

Welcome, Todd!  Ohio here, glad you unveiled yourself!  Ca’t wait to hear about your first SFG year...take lots of notes, I look back at mine all the time.  Every year is different, you know?

I too like the deeper boxes (mine are really 10” deep due to using the untreated lumber that they always try to talk me out of at the lumber store  ). 

What do you like to eat?  What have you grown, and you will have some serious space to do some experimentation!!!  

OhioGardener wrote:Welcome aboard, Todd, from a former Hoosier now living in SW Ohio!  As TD said, it sounds like you are off to a good start.

If you cannot find quantities of coarse vermiculite in your area, check out the A.M. Leonard site. They have 4 cu ft bags of it for a reasonable price, if the shipping wouldn't be too expensive to your area. They have 10% off right now (code 2A19PW), but some times shipping costs makes it cost prohibitive to ship.

Thanks!  I actually ordered some coarse from Greenhouse Megastore before I found the vermiculite section on this forum.  Price wasn't too bad compared to the big box stores even with shipping though.
I will definitely check out your suggestion because I'm already sure I will become addicted to this and find room for more beds lol

Todd, Welcome to the Forum from California! It sounds like you are off to a good start. I also live in the city and wanted to garden. I stumbled across this Forum, ordered the 2nd edition and the rest is history.

Scorpio Rising wrote:Welcome, Todd!  Ohio here, glad you unveiled yourself!  Ca’t wait to hear about your first SFG year...take lots of notes, I look back at mine all the time.  Every year is different, you know?

I too like the deeper boxes (mine are really 10” deep due to using the untreated lumber that they always try to talk me out of at the lumber store  ). 

What do you like to eat?  What have you grown, and you will have some serious space to do some experimentation!!!  

Haha!  Thanks!
Yeah, I definitely take lots of notes in my designated garden journal notebook and calendars with stuff scribbled all through them.  Pretty sure my wife thinks i'm isane lol.
As far as what I grow... I love tomatoes and have a lot of success with them.  I always have pole beans, cucumbers, lettuce, carrots, radish, and zucchini.  I've tried sweet peppers a couple times and never have much luck, so I'm hoping to get better results from the SFG.  I'm going to try peas, pak choy and brussels sprouts for the first time this year.
That's pretty much it for the garden.  I have a few berry bushes and I always have a lot of annual and perennial herbs growing as well.  (My wife has started using them for homeade bath salts, teas, soaps and such to give as gifts at Christmas).

Hi Todd. Welcome from Atlanta, GA! My dad grew up in Gary & Valparaiso. Glad you've joined us!