Search
Latest topics
» N&C Midwest: May 2023by nrstooge Today at 4:39 pm
» Paul's First SFGs
by pkadare Today at 11:06 am
» Poppy seeds - Hungarian Blue Breadseed
by AtlantaMarie Today at 6:12 am
» Kiwi's SFG Adventure
by KiwiSFGnewbie Yesterday at 6:27 pm
» Teaming with Microbes Kindle Sale (Mem. Day weekend 2023)
by OhioGardener Yesterday at 4:27 pm
» Sluggo Plus
by sanderson Yesterday at 3:23 pm
» Mid-Atlantic New Host Intro & Info
by KarenSB Yesterday at 5:08 am
» What Have You Picked From Your Garden Today
by OhioGardener 5/25/2023, 6:25 pm
» Centpedes
by OhioGardener 5/25/2023, 6:19 pm
» beneficial nematodes
by OhioGardener 5/24/2023, 9:18 pm
» Senseless Banter...
by markqz 5/24/2023, 5:39 pm
» Pre-Filling a 30" Raised Bed
by toledobend 5/24/2023, 1:10 pm
» Happy Birthday!!
by AtlantaMarie 5/24/2023, 7:03 am
» Aphids & Their Predators
by MrBooker 5/24/2023, 6:01 am
» Hello from Bobcaygeon, Ontario
by Scorpio Rising 5/20/2023, 1:52 pm
» What are you eating from your garden today?
by OhioGardener 5/18/2023, 6:29 pm
» Spring Flowers
by OhioGardener 5/18/2023, 6:23 pm
» My Solar Dehydrator at Work
by sanderson 5/18/2023, 3:10 pm
» French Tarragon
by sanderson 5/18/2023, 12:41 pm
» Famous Gardening Quotes
by sanderson 5/15/2023, 8:50 pm
» Birds of the Garden
by sanderson 5/15/2023, 8:49 pm
» New Compost PIle, 2nd attempt
by Chuck d'Argy 5/13/2023, 11:43 am
» Ohio Gardener's Greenhouse
by OhioGardener 5/11/2023, 6:44 pm
» Asparagus
by sanderson 5/11/2023, 4:11 pm
» Plan needed for 4’x4’ irrigation grid
by OhioGardener 5/11/2023, 12:47 pm
» TD's 2023 Garden
by trolleydriver 5/10/2023, 3:16 pm
» Spring Gardening - Parsnips and Garlic
by OhioGardener 5/10/2023, 2:59 pm
» Seedlings Sticker Shock
by sanderson 5/7/2023, 9:44 pm
» From a Year 2 Novice to All the New SFGers or "How to Get Past the Fear Factor! :)"
by sanderson 5/7/2023, 3:13 pm
» Mark's first SFG
by sanderson 5/5/2023, 3:39 pm
Google
Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
+3
sanderson
OhioGardener
Antony
7 posters
Page 1 of 1
Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
Never done a Forium like this so hope works ok.
Anyhow I´m Antony living in Germany, I did some Tomatoes last year (I have never done any Gardening before) and it worked so I decided to do a bit more this year and discovered the SFG Program, and I thought how cool is that! So Idid the courses and got my CI.
I have two big boxes joined by a archway which will also serve as a climbing frame for Tomatoes and climbers , one box has an extension so I could do some deep stuff like patatoes and carrots, a smaller one with Strawberries in it and at the house entrance I have 4 plastic Boxes with herbs.
I know a bit about Herbal Remedies, so I have Herbs which can be used for eating or medical purposes. I was a bit worried at first because I put seeds in most squares and nothing seemed to come, now it is really doing well. I found some small chalk labels, but I used label maker as I thought the chalk might run if it rains. I printed them so I could see exactly which square had something in it and what, as at first I was always running in the house to check my charts! Only got to post a few photos, seems we are limited, in one however is Robin I am sure he was a Gardener in another life, everytime I go in the SFG he always follows like he is keeping an eye on me to do it right. hope you like this. have a good day, Antony

Anyhow I´m Antony living in Germany, I did some Tomatoes last year (I have never done any Gardening before) and it worked so I decided to do a bit more this year and discovered the SFG Program, and I thought how cool is that! So Idid the courses and got my CI.
I have two big boxes joined by a archway which will also serve as a climbing frame for Tomatoes and climbers , one box has an extension so I could do some deep stuff like patatoes and carrots, a smaller one with Strawberries in it and at the house entrance I have 4 plastic Boxes with herbs.
I know a bit about Herbal Remedies, so I have Herbs which can be used for eating or medical purposes. I was a bit worried at first because I put seeds in most squares and nothing seemed to come, now it is really doing well. I found some small chalk labels, but I used label maker as I thought the chalk might run if it rains. I printed them so I could see exactly which square had something in it and what, as at first I was always running in the house to check my charts! Only got to post a few photos, seems we are limited, in one however is Robin I am sure he was a Gardener in another life, everytime I go in the SFG he always follows like he is keeping an eye on me to do it right. hope you like this. have a good day, Antony


Antony- Posts : 4
Join date : 2022-02-16
Location : Germany/Greece
Mary Lee, sanderson, jafstuff, markqz, Soose and Hip2B like this post
Re: Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
Welcome to the forums from Ohio, U.S., Antony! Looks like you are off to a good start! Love the pictures you posted, and looking forward to more. You may wist to set up your own thread on the regional forum for Europe, perhaps titled something like "Antony's Garden in Germany".
"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
sanderson and Antony like this post
Re: Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
Antony, Welcome to the Forum from California!
I love your gardening buddy, Robin. My Sweetie followed me around the garden, also. She was excellent and did not get in the boxes. She did, however, like snacking on bean leaves.
If you want, I can change the title of your post so it becomes your "journal". Something like what OG mentioned, "Antony's SFG Garden in Germany". ??
Can you share how you had to make Mel's Mix in Germany? That could be very valuable to other Germans who want to do SFG.

If you want, I can change the title of your post so it becomes your "journal". Something like what OG mentioned, "Antony's SFG Garden in Germany". ??
Can you share how you had to make Mel's Mix in Germany? That could be very valuable to other Germans who want to do SFG.
Last edited by sanderson on 5/14/2022, 3:24 pm; edited 1 time in total
Antony likes this post
SFG Germany
First off Thanks Sanderson for the Greeting.
As regard to Mels Mix on the one Box I used the Basic mix of Compost, Vermiculite, and Peat Moss
I bought several sacks of composte and mixed them however later I found a good thing. Over here in Germany things are pretty strict with Trash in so far that they are sepperated, Green bin for paper, yellow bin for recycleable plastics, Grey for the rest, There are also areas where you can give up glass, and there is a brown bin for organic trash, but if you do alot in the garden like mow a lawn then there is a place where such can be dumped, now it gets interesting because from the material they make a giant compost and it is about the best you can get it is even city certified with its chemo/bio make up and excuse the pun "dirt cheap" buy ca100l sack 8-euros
bring the empty sack back and fill yourself cost 1 euro!!! The Vermiculite I bought from Amazon as when I asked in DIY / Gardening places just got the "Deer in Headlights look" and the comment hmmm heard of it. Interesting is that it seems to be used a lot in pet shops for Reptile Habitat here but is probably cheaper over amazon. On my second box instead of Vermiculite I used perlite which I got at the DIY store both seem to work ok as to Peat moss seems quiet easy to get hold of and although I did not get any as an alternative Coconut coir seems to be widely available here. If you want to change title fine, I don´t know however how often I can add content. I hope that answered a few questions Thanks and have a nice day
As regard to Mels Mix on the one Box I used the Basic mix of Compost, Vermiculite, and Peat Moss
I bought several sacks of composte and mixed them however later I found a good thing. Over here in Germany things are pretty strict with Trash in so far that they are sepperated, Green bin for paper, yellow bin for recycleable plastics, Grey for the rest, There are also areas where you can give up glass, and there is a brown bin for organic trash, but if you do alot in the garden like mow a lawn then there is a place where such can be dumped, now it gets interesting because from the material they make a giant compost and it is about the best you can get it is even city certified with its chemo/bio make up and excuse the pun "dirt cheap" buy ca100l sack 8-euros
bring the empty sack back and fill yourself cost 1 euro!!! The Vermiculite I bought from Amazon as when I asked in DIY / Gardening places just got the "Deer in Headlights look" and the comment hmmm heard of it. Interesting is that it seems to be used a lot in pet shops for Reptile Habitat here but is probably cheaper over amazon. On my second box instead of Vermiculite I used perlite which I got at the DIY store both seem to work ok as to Peat moss seems quiet easy to get hold of and although I did not get any as an alternative Coconut coir seems to be widely available here. If you want to change title fine, I don´t know however how often I can add content. I hope that answered a few questions Thanks and have a nice day
Antony- Posts : 4
Join date : 2022-02-16
Location : Germany/Greece
Hip2B likes this post
Re: Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
Hi, Antony. I'm new here, too. But you have a good advantage over me -- as you've been trained. (CI) Well done.
Your cat Robin brought a smile to my face. ( I am a dog lover. But this looks like a very nice cat.)
I also have the problem of labels in my new garden beds. I can't remember the varieties of what I have planted even when I recognize the plants. My book is inside and I am outside. Glad you found a solution. I have some old "mini-blinds" of aluminum, and was thinking I will cut strips to make labels for the gardens.
Hope you will continue to post photos and experience with your garden. I would like to learn more about which herbs I should include for medical uses. Growing them is first of course, but I have always been a little hesitant to know how to properly prepare them for use, without hands-on training. I think the herbs are sensitive to when they are picked, how ripe they are, and how they are processed. Is it easy to make a mistake?
Soose
Your cat Robin brought a smile to my face. ( I am a dog lover. But this looks like a very nice cat.)
I also have the problem of labels in my new garden beds. I can't remember the varieties of what I have planted even when I recognize the plants. My book is inside and I am outside. Glad you found a solution. I have some old "mini-blinds" of aluminum, and was thinking I will cut strips to make labels for the gardens.
Hope you will continue to post photos and experience with your garden. I would like to learn more about which herbs I should include for medical uses. Growing them is first of course, but I have always been a little hesitant to know how to properly prepare them for use, without hands-on training. I think the herbs are sensitive to when they are picked, how ripe they are, and how they are processed. Is it easy to make a mistake?
Soose
Soose- Posts : 405
Join date : 2022-02-23
Location : North Alabama
jafstuff and Antony like this post
Re: Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
Dear Soose,
Thank you, Growing Herbs is very interesting, and you can always do courses to learn more
online like at www.udemy.com who offer courses in nearly every thing you can think of and (secret Tip) if you get the newsletter and add courses to your wish list then you can get courses for say 9 dollars instead of 100 dollars! and as far as I know they are for life long to visit, sometimes I´ve bought courses there because cheap and dont start for a while though..
Also you could do internet research. You can start easy like growing Mint, I have morrocan Mint but any will do, just take about four leaves (after thanking the bush) put them in a glass of hot water and leave for about 5 minutes, believe me you won´t buy some from the store after that!
It can also be used for upset stomachs etc. check it out on the net.
Similary I have sage which can also be used as a tea, mixed with honey it makes a great tea for sore throats and winter, you see usng herbs is not hard in fact a plus because you have something to use in the kitchen and as a med help. Here is a quick look how my boxes are built up with the arch (before planting) and another pic of Robin creeping in... Got two cats and they are sure funny, people come past the street sometimes with their kids just to see if the cats are out, I´ll post a picture of Minky our other. Enjoy

Thank you, Growing Herbs is very interesting, and you can always do courses to learn more
online like at www.udemy.com who offer courses in nearly every thing you can think of and (secret Tip) if you get the newsletter and add courses to your wish list then you can get courses for say 9 dollars instead of 100 dollars! and as far as I know they are for life long to visit, sometimes I´ve bought courses there because cheap and dont start for a while though..
Also you could do internet research. You can start easy like growing Mint, I have morrocan Mint but any will do, just take about four leaves (after thanking the bush) put them in a glass of hot water and leave for about 5 minutes, believe me you won´t buy some from the store after that!
It can also be used for upset stomachs etc. check it out on the net.
Similary I have sage which can also be used as a tea, mixed with honey it makes a great tea for sore throats and winter, you see usng herbs is not hard in fact a plus because you have something to use in the kitchen and as a med help. Here is a quick look how my boxes are built up with the arch (before planting) and another pic of Robin creeping in... Got two cats and they are sure funny, people come past the street sometimes with their kids just to see if the cats are out, I´ll post a picture of Minky our other. Enjoy


Antony- Posts : 4
Join date : 2022-02-16
Location : Germany/Greece
OhioGardener, Mary Lee, sanderson, jafstuff, markqz, Soose and Hip2B like this post
Labels.
Welcome Antony! Guten Tag!
I've tried printed labels as well. Alas, they fade in a only a couple months.
The best direct, in situ method of labeling I've found are the larger plastic labels, and then use a 2B pencil to write on them. The pencil writes darker than a standard pencil. Black grease pen works well, but you have to use a chemical to clean the labels.
In the last few months I've been using a printed grid. My notes go on the grid. The paper goes into a plastic envelope. I can keep the envelope out at each SFG during non-rainy weather. Part of my working kit is a clipboard. I would like to find a true water-proof envelope. Another possibility is to use water-proof printer paper. I should post the templates I'm using sometime.
I've been using udemy too -- but for software!
Happy gardening!
I've tried printed labels as well. Alas, they fade in a only a couple months.
The best direct, in situ method of labeling I've found are the larger plastic labels, and then use a 2B pencil to write on them. The pencil writes darker than a standard pencil. Black grease pen works well, but you have to use a chemical to clean the labels.
In the last few months I've been using a printed grid. My notes go on the grid. The paper goes into a plastic envelope. I can keep the envelope out at each SFG during non-rainy weather. Part of my working kit is a clipboard. I would like to find a true water-proof envelope. Another possibility is to use water-proof printer paper. I should post the templates I'm using sometime.
I've been using udemy too -- but for software!
Happy gardening!
markqz
Forum Moderator- Posts : 786
Join date : 2019-09-02
Location : Lower left hand corner
sanderson, Antony and Hip2B like this post
Re: Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
The only survivable plant labels I have found are the metal ones, which I etch the name with a battery operated engraving tool. These labels last from year to year, and the name of the plant can be highlighted with a permanent marker to make it easier to read at a distance if desired but the engraved name never disappears. I use them both in the flower gardens and vegetable beds.
Metal Labels:
https://www.amazon.com/GardenMate-25-Pack-Weatherproof-Labels-Height/dp/B00814L088?th=1
Engraver:
https://www.amazon.com/DYNAMIC-7-Inch-Battery-Operated-Engraver/dp/B015UY5ORY
This Lychnis etched tag is 3 or 4 years old, and the etched name is still easily readable.
Metal Labels:
https://www.amazon.com/GardenMate-25-Pack-Weatherproof-Labels-Height/dp/B00814L088?th=1
Engraver:
https://www.amazon.com/DYNAMIC-7-Inch-Battery-Operated-Engraver/dp/B015UY5ORY
This Lychnis etched tag is 3 or 4 years old, and the etched name is still easily readable.

"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
sanderson, jafstuff and Hip2B like this post
Re: Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
Welcome Antony (and Robin). Your setup looks great. How lucky you are to have a source of good, cheap compost there. Many European countries are far, far ahead of Australia in terms of recycling and waste processing. There is not a great deal of leadership from federal government, so it is up to individuals and local governments. I like your philosophy of thanking your plants. Gratitude is something I am trying to practice daily. I find it makes a huge difference to my mind set.
Hip2B-
Posts : 54
Join date : 2022-04-10
Age : 53
Location : Burnie, Tasmania, Australia (Cool Climate / Zone 9)
Antony likes this post
Re: Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
The thing is, I want a system that will help me remember the variety I planted, when I planted it, outcomes, amendments, sprays, etc.OhioGardener wrote:The only survivable plant labels I have found are the metal ones, which I etch the name with a battery operated engraving tool.

markqz
Forum Moderator- Posts : 786
Join date : 2019-09-02
Location : Lower left hand corner
Antony and Soose like this post
Re: Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
markqz wrote:The thing is, I want a system that will help me remember the variety I planted, when I planted it, outcomes, amendments, sprays, etc.OhioGardener wrote:The only survivable plant labels I have found are the metal ones, which I etch the name with a battery operated engraving tool.
Yeah, that is a lot more information than I track. I plant it, I care for it, I eat it. Repeat.

"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
Hip2B likes this post
Re: Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
markqz wrote: The thing is, I want a system that will help me remember the variety I planted, when I planted it, outcomes, amendments, sprays, etc.
Markqz, may I have a copy of your template?
Ohiogardener, I like your attitude but think -- pretty sure-- I won't remember much of anything.
Soose- Posts : 405
Join date : 2022-02-23
Location : North Alabama
Re: Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
Soose wrote:Ohiogardener, I like your attitude but think -- pretty sure-- I won't remember much of anything.
By the time we get to be 80 years old, we know what we like to eat and don't do much experimenting with designer vegetables. So, when I plant kale, or chard, or beans, or peas, etc., etc., etc., I already know what variety they are and how they will do.

"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
sanderson and Soose like this post
Re: Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
OhioGardener wrote:
... So, when I plant kale, or chard, or beans, or peas, etc., etc., etc., I already know what variety they are and how they will do.
Understood. I will be happy to get just one variety of each that we can harvest reliably. I just need to develop skills to feed my family. I don't currently know anyone who does that. But my grandparents did it.
Soose- Posts : 405
Join date : 2022-02-23
Location : North Alabama
Re: Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
Soose wrote:OhioGardener wrote:
... So, when I plant kale, or chard, or beans, or peas, etc., etc., etc., I already know what variety they are and how they will do.
Understood. I will be happy to get just one variety of each that we can harvest reliably. I just need to develop skills to feed my family. I don't currently know anyone who does that. But my grandparents did it.
It can be done, we've been doing for more years than I can remember. We not only grow enough fruit and vegetables to feed us during the garden season, but we freeze and can enough to get us through the winter until the next garden starts producing. We especially appreciate being able to grow enough lettuce, spinach, and chard in the cold frame to get us through the winter without having to buy greens from the grocery store.
Someday I'll get too old to do that, but for now....
"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
sanderson and Hip2B like this post
Re: Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
I'm pretty much the same way. I know what I like, what I want to put up, and what can grow here in Fresno. I do try something new or fun each year. This year it was growing Yukon Gold from seed potatoes in a table top bed.OhioGardener wrote: . . . By the time we get to be 80 years old, we know what we like to eat and don't do much experimenting with designer vegetables. So, when I plant kale, or chard, or beans, or peas, etc., etc., etc., I already know what variety they are and how they will do.

I use an Excel page with pencil and eraser for what I plant where. The layout of the beds has changed/expanded but this is what it was in winter of 2016-17.

Mary Lee, Scorpio Rising and Hip2B like this post
Re: Antony's SFG Garden in Germany
Soose wrote:Hi, Antony. I'm new here, too. But you have a good advantage over me -- as you've been trained. (CI) Well done.
Your cat Robin brought a smile to my face. ( I am a dog lover. But this looks like a very nice cat.)
I also have the problem of labels in my new garden beds. I can't remember the varieties of what I have planted even when I recognize the plants. My book is inside and I am outside. Glad you found a solution. I have some old "mini-blinds" of aluminum, and was thinking I will cut strips to make labels for the gardens.
Hope you will continue to post photos and experience with your garden. I would like to learn more about which herbs I should include for medical uses. Growing them is first of course, but I have always been a little hesitant to know how to properly prepare them for use, without hands-on training. I think the herbs are sensitive to when they are picked, how ripe they are, and how they are processed. Is it easy to make a mistake?
Soose
I struggled forever with plant markers and found that a rock and a wide tip marker works great. I think squirrels were taking my markers as I would find them elsewhere and besides plastic markers fade
jafstuff- Posts : 2
Join date : 2013-06-14
Location : Zone 5
Antony, Soose and Hip2B like this post

» Hello from Germany
» Finding Vermiculite in Europe
» Hallo from Germany
» Hello from Central Germany!
» New SFGardener from Munich, Germany
» Finding Vermiculite in Europe
» Hallo from Germany
» Hello from Central Germany!
» New SFGardener from Munich, Germany
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|