Square Foot Gardening Forum
[table bgcolor=#000000 height=275][tr][td]
Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Toplef10Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation 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.

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation I22gcj10Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation 14dhcg10

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

Join the forum, it's quick and easy

Square Foot Gardening Forum
[table bgcolor=#000000 height=275][tr][td]
Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Toplef10Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation 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.

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation I22gcj10Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation 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 October 2023
by OhioGardener Today at 8:41 am

» Plan for a raised bed off ground?
by OhioGardener Today at 8:24 am

» Beds not holding moisture?
by MrBooker Today at 6:36 am

» Stevia
by markqz 9/28/2023, 12:11 pm

» Mark's first SFG
by markqz 9/28/2023, 11:53 am

» N&C Midwest September 2023
by Scorpio Rising 9/27/2023, 6:55 am

» Walking stick kale
by markqz 9/26/2023, 11:52 pm

» Butternut squash sets world record at the State Fair of Virginia
by markqz 9/25/2023, 5:13 pm

» Ohio Gardener's Greenhouse
by OhioGardener 9/25/2023, 4:29 pm

» Closing beds for winter
by plantoid 9/25/2023, 4:25 pm

» Famous Gardening Quotes
by OhioGardener 9/23/2023, 12:51 pm

» Foodbank’s composting program creates food from food
by OhioGardener 9/22/2023, 8:29 am

» What Have You Picked From Your Garden Today
by OhioGardener 9/21/2023, 1:15 pm

» Turning existing garden beds into SFG
by jemm 9/20/2023, 7:35 am

» updating my mix - what should I add
by sanderson 9/18/2023, 5:04 am

» Senseless Banter...
by sanderson 9/16/2023, 11:37 pm

» Lumber and measuring for SFG boxes
by sanderson 9/16/2023, 12:21 am

» Avatar issues
by Guinevere 9/14/2023, 7:53 pm

» Happy Birthday!!
by sanderson 9/11/2023, 4:40 pm

» When to harvest? / Watermelon seedlings
by sanderson 9/9/2023, 6:07 pm

» Hornets Nest
by sanderson 9/8/2023, 8:15 pm

» Tropical Storm Hilary
by jennyjo37 9/5/2023, 5:31 pm

» A square foot garden in a round bed.
by alicej 9/4/2023, 3:39 am

» Determinate Cherry Tomato for Greenhouse
by OhioGardener 9/2/2023, 6:52 pm

» N&C Midwest August 2023
by Scorpio Rising 8/31/2023, 9:01 am

» Hurricane
by Scorpio Rising 8/30/2023, 7:25 am

» No-Fail Zucchini Bread
by OhioGardener 8/28/2023, 11:11 am

» buying compost small town SW Pennsylvania
by sanderson 8/27/2023, 6:41 pm

» Phosphate
by sanderson 8/27/2023, 3:43 pm

» Topping brand new SFG box with more gorgeous compost???
by sanderson 8/27/2023, 3:36 pm

Google

Search SFG Forum

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

5 posters

Page 1 of 2 1, 2  Next

Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 5/22/2019, 6:16 pm

This is a new thread. The narrative and graphic are from the SFG Foundation.

Mel tirelessly researched all the ways to make gardening simpler and "fixed" everything he hated about gardening. The result is Square Foot Gardening which he introduced in the mid-1970s. Part of this was limiting the size. Compared to a traditional row garden, SFG takes only 20% of the space!

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda10

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 5/22/2019, 6:19 pm

From last Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Square Foot Gardening is GREAT for both beginning and "seasoned" gardeners. Beginners love the simplicity, while others love the challenge of planning to use each square 2 and even 3 times per growing season for maximum production.

BEGINNERS - no matter what method you choose, we encourage you to start small. Learn how to grow just a few veggies at first, THEN expand your garden as you become more proficient.

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda11

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  countrynaturals 5/22/2019, 9:16 pm

What I liked about it as a beginner, was the structure. I always felt Mel was right there holding my hand. Back then, I was on AOL and we had a very active forum for SFG. Everyone referred to the big guy as "Uncle Mel." It was like having a family farm. It was such a great experience, that when I was able to start gardening again in 2016, I went right for the SFG forum to hang my hat. BIG hug
countrynaturals
countrynaturals

Female Posts : 5704
Join date : 2016-04-12
Location : Redding, CA

http://countrynaturals.com

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 5/22/2019, 10:45 pm

Ditto for me back in 2013. SFG just made so much sense and with a tiny back yard, I felt it was the right way to go.

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 5/29/2019, 4:11 pm

May 29, 2019

"We use just a pinch (2-3 seeds) in each planting hole."

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda12

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 6/5/2019, 10:19 pm

I have to heartily agree with this tenant. No palms, no knees, no feet. "Stay Off!"

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda13

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 6/20/2019, 2:47 am

June 19, 2019

Part one of 4 Parts.

"Next month we’re celebrating World SFG Day, so we’re taking about the very beginning – before Mel had invented Square Foot Gardening. This is Part 1 of a 4-part series on the birth of Square Foot Gardening we’re calling Pitfalls of Conventional Gardening."

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda14

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  countrynaturals 6/20/2019, 11:20 am

sanderson wrote:June 19, 2019

Part one of 4 Parts.  

"Next month we’re celebrating World SFG Day, so we’re taking about the very beginning – before Mel had invented Square Foot Gardening. This is Part 1 of a 4-part series on the birth of Square Foot Gardening we’re calling Pitfalls of Conventional Gardening."

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda14
HA! I have the book, so I don't have to wait for next Wednesday to read the next part. Razz  Think about what an adventure gardening has been for us, then just imagine what it was like for Mel. Shocked
countrynaturals
countrynaturals

Female Posts : 5704
Join date : 2016-04-12
Location : Redding, CA

http://countrynaturals.com

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 6/22/2019, 4:47 am

Amen! Mel did all the hard work for us.

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  countrynaturals 6/22/2019, 10:57 am

sanderson wrote:Amen!  Mel did all the hard work for us.
Yup, and I have a new favorite thing about SFG -- once it's set up, it's never overwhelming. Right now, my SFG bed is in radishes, but every day I pick a square and plant carrots in the empty spots where I'm harvesting the radishes. Not only is it easy, but keeps a continuous crop going. Mel was the best. I love you
countrynaturals
countrynaturals

Female Posts : 5704
Join date : 2016-04-12
Location : Redding, CA

http://countrynaturals.com

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 6/27/2019, 3:46 am

June 26, 2019. Part 2 of 4.

"Next month we’re celebrating World SFG Day, so we’re taking you to the beginning – before Mel had invented Square Foot Gardening. This is Part 2 of a 4-part series on the birth of Square Foot Gardening.

Last week we looked at the pitfalls of conventional gardening. Mel obtained a plot of land, had it fenced, rototilled, fertilized, and divided into plots ready for people to rent. There was a lot of interest and excitement and initially seemed like a great success. But . . . Spring fever doesn’t last." Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda15

Using SFG, I find my enthusiasm increase through the season! How about you folks?

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 7/3/2019, 10:33 pm

July 3, 2019. Part 3 of 4.

"This month we’re celebrating World SFG Day. Last month we took you to the beginning – before Mel had invented Square Foot Gardening. This is Part 3 of a 4-part series on the birth of Square Foot Gardening.

The last two weeks we talked about Mel starting a community garden and how enthusiastic everyone was . . . until the weeds started growing and many participants dropped out. This week we’re talking about A Sad End to the Season."

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda17

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 7/10/2019, 4:28 pm

July 10, 2019. Part 4 of 4.

"This month we’re celebrating World SFG Day. Here is the final installment of a 4-part series on the birth of Square Foot Gardening.

The last three weeks we’ve talked about Mel starting a community garden and how enthusiastic everyone was . . . until the weeds started growing and many participants dropped out. This week we’re going to explore why Mel decided to “fix” gardening in a segment we’re calling A Search For Answers."
Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda18

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  Scorpio Rising 7/10/2019, 5:51 pm

That book started it all!  It was my first successful garden ever.  Old method, dug out...loved it, so much easier!  I lived in a trailer, and it was in my front yard where the sun was.  My farmer neighbors were intrigued that you could fit so much in 16 square feet!  Now here I am many years later with ANSFG going on in the back yard!
Scorpio Rising
Scorpio Rising

Female Posts : 8569
Join date : 2015-06-12
Age : 61
Location : Ada, Ohio

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 7/11/2019, 5:04 pm

I love you

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  countrynaturals 7/11/2019, 5:12 pm

For me it was 1999. We were caretakers at a campground in the Sierras. All I remember about it was that it was highly productive. Carrots were the biggest surprise. They took so long I gave up on them. Then one day I decided to yank them out, and there they all were -- beautiful, perfect carrots, just waiting for the right time to be harvested. I love you
countrynaturals
countrynaturals

Female Posts : 5704
Join date : 2016-04-12
Location : Redding, CA

http://countrynaturals.com

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  Scorpio Rising 7/11/2019, 10:45 pm

countrynaturals wrote:For me it was 1999. We were caretakers at a campground in the Sierras. All I remember about it was that it was highly productive. Carrots were the biggest surprise. They took so long I gave up on them. Then one day I decided to yank them out, and there they all were -- beautiful, perfect carrots, just waiting for the right time to be harvested. I love you
I had never grown carrots until this 4x4....GAME CHANGER!!!!  Getting ready to put in a “fall” crop!  I love them so much...
Scorpio Rising
Scorpio Rising

Female Posts : 8569
Join date : 2015-06-12
Age : 61
Location : Ada, Ohio

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 8/8/2019, 1:28 am

The benefit of growing vertically!

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda19

Many of us have a large collection of seeds because SFG sowing is so frugal with seeds.

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda20

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 9/20/2019, 6:16 pm

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda21

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  countrynaturals 9/20/2019, 11:21 pm

sanderson wrote:Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda21
I love you  thankyou Excellent post! I know I've been guilty of quitting too soon, which is dumb, since I have nothing to lose by hanging in there. Love the idea mulching and getting early spring greens and flowers for the pollinators.  happy turtle

I've read that book twice and  still missed this. Time for a 3rd reading. Embarassed
countrynaturals
countrynaturals

Female Posts : 5704
Join date : 2016-04-12
Location : Redding, CA

http://countrynaturals.com

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 9/25/2019, 10:32 pm

"If you decide to not grow a fall/winter SFG, here are some things you can do to "winterize" your raised beds."

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda22

A trowel full of compost per square foot isn't very much.  I add a full 5-gall bucket to a 2'x7' bed, or a quart+ per square, to bring the Mel's Mix back up to the original height.  Is it because of my Mediterranean climate?  Active microbes? What do the rest of you add?

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  yolos 9/26/2019, 12:39 am

sanderson wrote:
A trowel full of compost per square foot isn't very much.  I add a full 5-gall bucket to a 2'x7' bed, or a quart+ per square, to bring the Mel's Mix back up to the original height.  Is it because of my Mediterranean climate?  Active microbes?  What do the rest of you add?
I add whatever amount it takes to bring the level of the MM up to the original level.  In my environment that is way more than a trowel full.  So it may be that our climate allows growing for many, many more months than other areas.  So if we do not add compost throughout the growing season, then we will need to add a large amount when we clean the bed.  For instance, I plant my tomatoes usually at the end of March and do not pull them out until the frost nips  them at the end of Oct or beginning of Nov.  That is about 7 months of growing the same vegetable.
yolos
yolos

Female Posts : 4152
Join date : 2011-11-20
Age : 73
Location : Brooks, Ga Zone 7B/8A

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  markqz 9/26/2019, 9:55 am

sanderson wrote:"If you decide to not grow a fall/winter SFG, here are some things you can do to "winterize" your raised beds."

The book also talked about taking off the guide laths for storage. Wasn't sure why. Maybe a cold/snow weather thing?
markqz
markqz

Forum Moderator

Posts : 827
Join date : 2019-09-02
Location : Lower left hand corner

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 9/27/2019, 7:19 pm

I left my grids on top of the MM year-around for 5 years before thed started rotting. I am replacing them with white plastic ones as they fall apart and for my new beds. I think if one had long cold, rainy, snowy winters, it would be good to store them.

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  sanderson 10/3/2019, 5:09 am

"Each Wednesday this fall and winter we're going to focus on teaching people how to plan their garden to get the most out of it in the smallest space. We're going to chunk it up into small, easy bites so you won't get overwhelmed.

We find that people just don't understand how small they can make their Square Foot Garden. If you're just starting out with SFG, we encourage you to start out with around 48 squares - that's equal to three 4'x4' raised beds, or two 4'x6' beds, or one 4'x12' bed, or two 3'x8' beds, or one 2' x 24' . . . or whatever configuration works for you.

No matter where you live, you can extend your growing season just by using some PVC pipes and row cover or plastic sheeting. We know people that grow a little bit year round all the way up to Nova Scotia. So if you're in a more temperate climate, there's no stopping you.

In the famous words of our founder, Mel Bartholomew . . . "Happy Gardening, Friends!" "

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Founda23

____________________________

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

Forum Administrator

Female Posts : 21247
Join date : 2013-04-21
Age : 74
Location : Fresno CA Zone 8-9

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

Back to top Go down

Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation Empty Re: Wednesday Wisdom - SFG Foundation

Post  Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Page 1 of 2 1, 2  Next

Back to top

- Similar topics

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