Update on my SFG

Back at the beginning of July I asked for help planning out my SFG. See post here.

I got some great feed back and wanted to let everyone in on the progress so far.

First of all here is a picture of the area.



Imagine it over grown with weeds and brairs and that is what I started with.



Here is a picture of how the set up is going to be in the area once finished. Purple box is 2'x8', green is 3'x3', pink is 2'x2' and the blue 4'x4' (this one may or may not be added) it will be last one built. The total area is 30'x36'. All boxes will be set 3 to 4 feet away from fence. Don't need the doggies eating my vegtables.




We took out the swing set, weed eated the area really good, layed down 6 mil black plastic over entire area, laid pvc water line around inside perimeter of fence then added 10 tons of lime stone. Here is a picture taken today.



Here is a picture of the boxes in progress. (Son is coming over again tomorrow to finish them. I hope.) All boxes are being made out of 2 x 10" boards. With a double layer of weed cloth and the a layer of hardware cloth on bottom. I will post some more pictures of the box process as they get made.



After the boxes are done I have the vermiculite



Five kinds of compost, Black Cow, Black Hen (not pictured), Mushroom, Lowes brand and wal-mart brand.






I don't have a picture of the peat moss but its here and ready for the boxes as well.

All the boxes will be off the ground. The ones around the perimeter only by a cement block on each corner and the others will be TT boxes raised to 32" at the top of the box.

I will post more pictures and update of the finished product soon.

Got a comment, question or suggestion, I'd love to hear it.

I really think i just squeeled...

rent a cement mixer.

So that's what you've been up to-

My comfort zone was adding a couple boxes a year. But you don't mess around!

I second CP's suggestion for a cement mixer-it really makes it easy. But, if you'll have access again to the Bobcat that was in one of your pictures....

OMG! I feel like an impatient rank amateur! LOL. I love it and cannot wait to see what you do next.

Thanks for the kind comments. I already had the cement mixer in mind. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Boffer - I was only supposed to have the bob cat for yesterday (rented) and they were supposed to pick up this morning but it will be gone tomorrow instead (worker got sick and couldn't pick up today). Now if the boys get the boxes done today that might just be an idea.

Yea my idea was to add a couple of boxes at a time but I got offered free labor (son and ex brother inlaw) and had the money available for the materials so I went for it. Now just gotta get it finished.

Chopper - I am an amateur but one with big ideas and SFG is one thing I found I love and just want it right(NOW).

Oh and any one who wants to chime in about what to plant in these boxes I'm open for suggestions. I'm in zone 8b in Mobile, Alabama and right now the heat index is getting in the 100 range. So I figure I have at least a couple of weeks to decide exactly what fall crops will be planted.

Do to rain we had we were delayed in getting finished sooner. However, after many days and lots of work it is finally finished except running the drip irrigation which I started on this evening.


This is the bottom of a box. It has 2 layers of weed cloth and a layer of harware cloth.



This is one the legs for the TT boxes (thanks Boffer for the idea).



Here is the legs attached.



Here is the TT boxes plus you can see the trellies on the boxes behind them and the 3 x 3 boxes.



Here the boys (left is my youngest son and right my ex brother inlaw) are starting to mix the Mels mix. This job alone took over 9 hours to complete. They did 3 hours in the heat of the day Noon till 3 pm. Then they came back around 8 pm and stayed till 2 am till they got it all mixed. (It was thier idea to stay so late as they didn't want me to have to pay for the mixer another day.) Plus it was a little cooler.



During one of many tea time breaks, as they called it.



The mix.



The finished product minus the irrigation what will be done by weekend.

H-O-O-O-LY MOLEE!!!! You don't mess around do you? Tons of rock! Pallets of manure, peat and vermiculite!! A bobcat and a cement mixer!! So much for Mel's idea that SFG let's you could get rid of all your big equipment like rototillers, etc. ROTFL!

It looks awesome! Best of luck!

GK

Wow I have goose bumps! that looks like the arboretum ! now that is some serious SFG !
As far as what to grow , with all that space try anything ! you have enough room to experiment ! I'm in 8b here in so cal, have 100 temps also but so far managed to sprout broccoli and cauliflower, sugar snaps, kale, and arugala, keeping them in my greenhouse till the sun is not as intense. Looking forward to seeing it all filled!

Just WOW!

There's just nothing prettier than a pile of properly made Mel's Mix.


I assume you left room for a water feature and chairs/benches you'll be wanting to spend a lot of time there, even if only to sit and daydream.

boffer wrote:Just WOW!

There's just nothing prettier than a pile of properly made Mel's Mix.

I agree with that.

As far as what to plant, Garden Angel mentioned being in a similar zone and here is So Cal the recommendations for planting this month are:
What to plant in Sept in So Cal:
Beets, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts,
Carrots, Celery (mine finally sprouted), Leeks, Peas, Spinach, and if
it stays warm long enough Bush Beans and Summer Squash

Regarding bush beans, I planted some yellow bush beans on July 7th and have been picking them for at least 10 days. They were fast and prolific. So if it stays warmish this year, then it might be doable.

Chexmix, will you come to my house?

And I agree, the sight (and feel) of well made MM is wonderful - almost as good as the aroma of a horse!

Old Hippie - All those big toys are gone and won't be needed again. Now just the small trowel, a pair of pruners, a pencil and some seeds are all I will need.

Garden Angel - I will experiment some. Yes it is a serious SFG but I will have extra to share with family and friends.

Boffer - I agree about the MM but the boys weren't to happy being covered in it. There were lots of jokes said about that. I do have some room for a bench or two and a water feature is not out of the question either.

Chopper - Thanks for the suggestions. I know broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts will be three of the first to be planted.

Martha - I agree the aroma of a horse is a great feeling. I love horses. You don't need me. You can do it. Find some friends, family and some of thier friends and make it a party. I was VERY LUCKY to have my son and ex brother in law to do all the hard work and lifting for me. There is no way I could have pulled this off with out them.

Can I come play in your garden? PPPPLLLLEEEAAAASSSEEE!?!!?

Wow, wow, wow! Can't wait to see it full of veggies!

Chex, where did you find your vermiculite? I'd be willing to drive to Mobile if I had to, to get bags that size LOL

Catalytic - I have a feed store around the corner (less than a mile) that orders it for me. The bags are 18 lbs or 4 cubic feet. I actually have two extra bags I'll sell ya one or both if you want them. The price is $17.50 that is what I paid for them.