New vegetable home farmer :)

Dune 10/13/2010, 8:31 pm

I just started. Next week I will build my boxes using 2"x12"x6'. I want to have all ready for spring
I just don't know if I should put soil into those boxes before winter or after?

CarolynPhillips 10/13/2010, 9:36 pm

$glad you\'re here$

I would put the soil in now---then cover it for the winter.
Come spring, uncover, add new compost.

Megan 10/13/2010, 9:46 pm

If it's not too cold for you to put the mix in now, I'd try it. It will give worms a chance to move in, plus allow the mix to settle. And welcome!!

Blackrose 10/13/2010, 11:20 pm

I agree with Carolyn and Megan. Put your mix in now and cover it for the winter. Keep in mind that it will settle, so you WILL have to top it up in the spring.

I will be doing the same with 3 new 4x4 boxes I just got. I plan on setting them up and filling them before the cold really settles in December.

Also, you can plant cool weather crops in late February, early March in our area I believe. Like lettuce, spinach, etc. The soil in a raised bed warms faster than the soil in the ground and is workable sooner too.

I hope this helps! Very Happy

Dune 10/14/2010, 7:03 am

Anyone knew good place to buy cheep mix around Brampton area?

Blackrose 10/14/2010, 8:36 am

Unfortunately, Mel's Mix is not sold in Canada. You will have to make your own. You will need 5 different types of compost (i.e. cow, sheep, chicken, etc.), peat moss and coarse grade vermiculite (this the hardest to find).

Do you have the All New Square Foot Gardening book? It explains how to make the mix.

Dune 10/14/2010, 8:59 am

Thank you Blackrose,
I ordered his book last night on Amazon.

Blackrose 10/14/2010, 9:07 am

Excellent! I hope you enjoy reading it. Smile

ander217 10/14/2010, 9:36 am

Welcome to the forum, Dune.

$glad you\'re here$

Chopper 10/15/2010, 1:55 am

I vote with the fill them in group. Very Happy

Dune 11/6/2010, 8:46 pm

I have done all my boxes. 13 of them size 48"x 80" . I put mix into tonight.
Grade vermiculite I got in first store I visit cheers

Put your mix in now and cover it for the winter

Cover with ?

**Furbalsmom** 11/6/2010, 8:56 pm

Wow! you really are ambitious with 13 beds.

You can cover with 6 mil plastic, clear (which is really cloudy looking) and that will protect your Mel's Mix from wandering weed seeds, prevent nutrients from leaching out with snow and rain, and help your bed warm up earlier in the spring. This is like a tarp and available at places like Lowes, Home Depot and Meynards. Forum members from your region may give better places to obtain the plastic.

Dune 11/6/2010, 9:02 pm

I was wander if I can cover it with 6mm poly. But looks like I was on right track.

Do I have to wait little longer or just cover now?

**Furbalsmom** 11/6/2010, 9:06 pm

Now is a good time unless you want to do anything with it now.

**camprn** 11/6/2010, 9:50 pm

Dune wrote:I have done all my boxes. 13 of them size 48"x 80" . I put mix into tonight.
Grade vermiculite I got in first store I visit

Put your mix in now and cover it for the winter

Cover with ?

I am going to cover a few of mine with the monstrous plastic bags that came as the covering of my pallet loads of wood pellets.
New vegetable home farmer :) Pellet-pallet

New vegetable home farmer :) Pellet-pallet

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	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.