Just Starting in Central Valley CA

casey 7/24/2010, 12:53 am

This is my first post. I'm planning my first square foot garden. Unfortunately, the only space at my house that gets sun is the driveway and a 3.5' wide strip along the driveway (which is now full of tomoto and squash plants, and LOTS of weeds). Can't wait to be weed-free.

My main questions:

1 - The driveway has a slight incline. Will I need to build a wedge, or is a bit of a slope okay?

2 - I received the first patio box (for the driveway) from Square Foot Gardens. Because of the bottom layer, the depth of the box is not actually 6 inches; it is 5-1/4 inches. Is this deep enough?

3 - The Sacramento area gets over 100 degrees often in the summer. Is there any special advice for this type of heat? E.g. water twice daily?

Thanks! Casey

Garden Angel 7/24/2010, 9:19 am

Hi Casey, Welcome from So Cal. I'm new too but hope I can help a little. How much of a slope is it? I would think it would not matter and probably would be good for drainage, the adverage driveway slope is not extreme, but I think I would check the soil from time to time.

From the other post I've read here , there seems to be settling of the soil over time and this is normal I have experienced it also but you will add compost as you go and it will supplement the soil level.

We too here get temps over 100 and Iv'e read that the roots can't absorb in the extreme heat so you should water a little at a time in increments, the latest I water is just before sundown, seems to work for me.

Hope this helps, happy gardening !

moosedroppings 7/24/2010, 10:31 am

Welcome Casey. I am new also and a dry well for advise, I just wanted to say howdy and good luck with your garden!

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Just Starting in Central Valley CA

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