Brown thumb turning Green

Just getting started in SFG. Made 2 boxes. Searching for vermiculite to make my Mel's mix. Then I'll be ready to go. Very excited to find an approach to gardening that makes so much sense and offers so much promise, even for me.

The coolest thing is that we hope to use SFG as a teaching tool for our two sons whom we homeschool. To have them see science in action, and to get experience at living off the land, sounds like a winning combination.

I look forward to learning from, and sharing with you all.

K

My dad always does a big garden and last year I wanted to start out. I started to clear my little plot by hand and then I borrowed the neighbor's rototiller. Next came all the weeding just to start. I forgot how I found SFG but I'm glad I did. I'm trying to convert my dad. Maybe if I can convince him to do just one box!

Daynannan wrote: I'm trying to convert my dad. Maybe if I can convince him to do just one box!

Think Father's day, birthday and Christmas, all rolled into one. Give the gift that keeps on giving: a box, mel's mix, and all the little accessories he might need. Would he not try it for at least one year 'cause his 'little girl' gave it to him?

Better yet, play hardball, what if his grandchild gave it to him?!

Just a thought...

hi! welcome aboard!

sfg is an AWESOME homeschooling tool! we unschool and it worked amazingly last year (first year) to teach science and math, reading, penmanship (had my oldest kid writing all the labels on the sticks), etc.

my kid learned not only how to grow but how to harvest and when, and even learned to collect seed. can tell the difference between a carrot seed and a morning glory seed if given both and asked which is which. . .

so much you can learn and teach with sfg!

you're going to grow so much it's gonna amaze you!

last year, mel gave me a great tip - when you're growing a plant that fruits - like a tomato plant, when the plant has yellow flowers on it, put a cable tie loosely around the branch near it. then daily go observe that particular spot - you'll see the whole growing process - so cool! - on a plant that has many tomatoes it's hard to notice the daily changes so that was a great tip he gave us.

my oldest kid also knows how to trim off damaged leaves on the trellis and how to wind plants gently into the trellis - he really took to gardening!

this year we're going to be building a greenhouse and expanding our garden.

my biggest advice - start small - around 3 4x4's are ideal to start first year - you'll get a feel for it and the garden won't be overwhelming. then expand a little each year. . .

once you eat fresh carrots from the ground, you'll never want to eat another storebought one! and a tip for planting carrots - don't bury them in the soil. just put them on top and gently press them in and we have had best success planting them during a rain - gentle 3 day rain. . . we have the best germination that way. we never seemed to succeed any other way with carrots.

again, welcome to the forums! so glad to know another homeschol family!