Returning Member

Glad to be back, and can't wait to get growing again.  

Long story short.  Loved everything about SFG.  However, things got busy with my family and work - beds deteriorated.  I even did a traditional row garden for two years after (gasp!!).  But, I feel like I can now give an honest comparison of that vs. SFG.  My 2 - 4x4 SFG would produce as much or more than a traditional row garden with a much smaller footprint, less weeding, less water and honestly less work once they are going.  Plus my kids are now old enough to be involved - they are each getting their own 4x4.  To me SFG is just more fun - I love planning on grids.  I am looking forward to once again enjoying morning coffee while messing with my garden on warm mornings.  This site really helped me years ago - and I hope I can take just as much away now as I did then - and hopefully contribute a little more.

Glad to see you back after all this time!  I share your experience with the difference in productivity from raised beds vs in-ground gardens.  For over 30 years we had a 30'x60' in-ground garden, which was a natural for me since having been raised on a farm.  But, as I aged I found that working at ground level was becoming less and less enjoyable.
A number of years ago I installed 18" high raised beds which are much easier on the old back. But, I was totally surprised in how much more productive they have been. The combination of the richer soil mixture along with more intense planting has been a huge benefit. I have also noticed that I am much more likely to do successive planting in the raised beds than I did with the in-ground garden - often portions of the in-ground garden set idle with nothing growing.
The in-ground garden was 1,800 sq ft, while the combination of all of the raised beds is just under 250 sq ft.  Yet, we get more produce out of the raised bed than we ever got out of the in-ground garden. Lovin' it!

Welcome back!  So glad you are back…I get it, I have done both regular row gardens and old SFG, and now new version!  But honestly, when I had the regular row garden, I literally felt like “Welcome to the Jungle” from Guns n Roses…it was bad by the end of the season…early was OK, after July?  No.

Hoping to hear from you lots, and see some pics!

Scorpio Rising wrote:Welcome back!  So glad you are back…I get it, I have done both regular row gardens and old SFG, and now new version!  But honestly, when I had the regular row garden, I literally felt like “Welcome to the Jungle” from Guns n Roses…it was bad by the end of the season…early was OK, after July?  No.

Hoping to hear from you lots, and see some pics!

Pics definitely coming.  Can't wait.  

BTW, like your avatar/pic.  I was a competitive swimmer from early on into college.  I have coached the last 15-20 years as well now (High school and USA).  I'm gettin close to retiring from my other job (education), and backing away from swimming duties as well.  Stepped back from being head coach to take a more enjoyable role as a swim dad for my 13 year old twins.  I still kept my intro group of 5-8 year olds though - it's only 2 nights a week, and I leave smiling every time.

kstephens wrote:Pics definitely coming.  Can't wait.  

BTW, like your avatar/pic.  I was a competitive swimmer from early on into college.  I have coached the last 15-20 years as well now (High school and USA).  I'm gettin close to retiring from my other job (education), and backing away from swimming duties as well.  Stepped back from being head coach to take a more enjoyable role as a swim dad for my 13 year old twins.  I still kept my intro group of 5-8 year olds though - it's only 2 nights a week, and I leave smiling every time.

Ha!  I’m not really involved anymore at all, but my youngest daughter coaches a USA team and she has the littles, too!  3 nights/week at this juncture.  She loves swimming and coaching/ teaching!  It is a lifelong pastime for sure.

kstephens, Welcome back , and thank you for your testimony.

Can't wait to see some photos.