Search
Latest topics
» N & C Midwest: Nov. Dec. 2024by cyclonegardener Yesterday at 10:50 pm
» Mark's first SFG
by markqz 12/2/2024, 11:54 am
» Indoor Lighting for Kitchen Herbs & Lettuce
by Jjean59 12/1/2024, 10:37 pm
» Famous Gardening Quotes
by OhioGardener 11/29/2024, 11:05 am
» Happy Thanksgiving from the USA
by Scorpio Rising 11/29/2024, 8:50 am
» Kiwi's SFG Adventure
by KiwiSFGnewbie 11/28/2024, 2:48 pm
» Cooked worms?
by KiwiSFGnewbie 11/28/2024, 2:45 pm
» Interesting Marketing for Compost
by OhioGardener 11/28/2024, 12:19 pm
» Happy Birthday!!
by sanderson 11/28/2024, 3:14 am
» Catalog season has begun!
by sanderson 11/28/2024, 3:13 am
» Butterbaby Hybrid Squash (Butternut)
by Scorpio Rising 11/24/2024, 8:19 pm
» How does green turn to brown?
by OhioGardener 11/21/2024, 4:58 pm
» Ohio Gardener's Greenhouse
by OhioGardener 11/21/2024, 12:16 pm
» Tree roots, yeeessss.....
by sanderson 11/20/2024, 2:21 am
» The SFG Journey-Biowash
by has55 11/19/2024, 7:37 pm
» What are you eating from your garden today?
by OhioGardener 11/19/2024, 8:27 am
» New SFG gardener in Auckland
by KiwiSFGnewbie 11/16/2024, 11:25 pm
» Thanksgiving Cactus
by OhioGardener 11/12/2024, 5:40 pm
» Need Garden Layout Feedback
by markqz 11/9/2024, 9:16 pm
» Thai Basil
by Scorpio Rising 11/8/2024, 8:52 pm
» How best to keep a fallow SFG bed
by KiwiSFGnewbie 11/8/2024, 8:11 pm
» Preserving A Bumper Tomato Harvest with Freezing vs Canning
by plantoid 11/7/2024, 11:36 am
» What Have You Picked From Your Garden Today
by OhioGardener 11/5/2024, 2:29 pm
» Greetings from Southeastern Wisconsin
by sanderson 11/5/2024, 2:01 pm
» Spinning Compost Bin-need some ideas
by rtfm 11/2/2024, 7:49 pm
» Growing fruit trees in Auckland
by OhioGardener 10/31/2024, 4:23 pm
» Vermiculite -- shipping sale through 10/31/2024
by markqz 10/30/2024, 2:27 pm
» N & C Midwest: October 2024
by Scorpio Rising 10/30/2024, 10:38 am
» Old Mulch and Closing Beds for Winter
by sanderson 10/26/2024, 11:00 pm
» Hello from Land of Umpqua, Oregon Zone 8b
by sanderson 10/25/2024, 3:14 pm
Google
SFG on concrete pad
+6
Odd Duck
ander217
LaFee
GardenZen
Furbalsmom
rumleyp
10 posters
Page 1 of 1
SFG on concrete pad
We have just bought a house with a great wire-enclosed structure (12x16) that would be perfect for keeping critters out of the garden. But it's on a concrete pad? Can I work this out somehow for drainage? And should the soil be deeper? I'm new to this, so suggestions are very welcome.
Also, would it be good to add a bit of topsoil to the mix for growing corn? Perhaps it would help keep the plants from falling over??
Also, would it be good to add a bit of topsoil to the mix for growing corn? Perhaps it would help keep the plants from falling over??
rumleyp- Posts : 2
Join date : 2011-01-09
Location : Middle Tennessee
Re: SFG on concrete pad
Rumelyp, to our group.
Thanks for joining us. We look forward to your questions and if you have information regarding someone else's post, please feel free to chime in.
If you are using Mel's Mix, it is not recommended to add topsoil. Topsoil will add weedseeds and one of the most marvelous things about Mel's Mix is the lack of need to weed.
We have several forum members who grow their corn in Mel's Mix and add a support, sometimes as simple as four posts around the perimeter of the bed and then add twine, string, something to keep the corn corraled. Another method listed in Mel's ALL NEW SQUAREFOOT GARDENING is to use the same four posts, and place nylon trellis netting horizontally, attached to the four posts. This way the corn can grow up into the holes of the trellis netting.
As to placing your SFG on a concrete pad, there are several members that already do this. Some recommendations are to place a plywood bottom on your box and raise the bed slightly by placing bricks, cinderblocks, rocks or something like that, under each corner and perhaps one in the middle under your plywood bottom.
Hope some forum members who have done this will chime in and let Rumleyp know how this worked out for them.
Again,
Thanks for joining us. We look forward to your questions and if you have information regarding someone else's post, please feel free to chime in.
If you are using Mel's Mix, it is not recommended to add topsoil. Topsoil will add weedseeds and one of the most marvelous things about Mel's Mix is the lack of need to weed.
We have several forum members who grow their corn in Mel's Mix and add a support, sometimes as simple as four posts around the perimeter of the bed and then add twine, string, something to keep the corn corraled. Another method listed in Mel's ALL NEW SQUAREFOOT GARDENING is to use the same four posts, and place nylon trellis netting horizontally, attached to the four posts. This way the corn can grow up into the holes of the trellis netting.
As to placing your SFG on a concrete pad, there are several members that already do this. Some recommendations are to place a plywood bottom on your box and raise the bed slightly by placing bricks, cinderblocks, rocks or something like that, under each corner and perhaps one in the middle under your plywood bottom.
Hope some forum members who have done this will chime in and let Rumleyp know how this worked out for them.
Again,
Furbalsmom- Posts : 3138
Join date : 2010-06-10
Age : 77
Location : Coastal Oregon, Zone 9a, Heat Zone 2 :(
Re: SFG on concrete pad
Hello rumleyp and to the forum!
The easiest solution is a table top garden. (I'm in the process of doing this). There are photos in the New SFG book and you can find some good posts and pics here.
Try searching the forum using "table top" and also "TT" for some ideas and photos.
EDIT:
Oops I see furbalsmom was typing at the same time....what she said
The easiest solution is a table top garden. (I'm in the process of doing this). There are photos in the New SFG book and you can find some good posts and pics here.
Try searching the forum using "table top" and also "TT" for some ideas and photos.
EDIT:
Oops I see furbalsmom was typing at the same time....what she said
GardenZen- Posts : 26
Join date : 2010-12-08
Location : Central Arkansas, Zone 7b
Re: SFG on concrete pad
My corn didn't fall over in my 6" deep box with Mel's Mix. Full disclosure - my SFG is in a very protected corner where the wind really can't get at it...but they stood straight and tall until the time came to pull them.
(Lost my entire harvest to smut, but that's not the fault of the SFG method!)
(Lost my entire harvest to smut, but that's not the fault of the SFG method!)
LaFee- Posts : 1022
Join date : 2010-03-03
Location : West Central Florida
Corn
Welcome to the forum, Rumleyp.
This year I grew my corn in a raised bed because I was growing Hickory King field corn which can grow to 12' tall, and I didn't want to have to support it. Some on the forum reported good luck growing shorter corn - the 4-6' varieties of sweet corn - without any support at all in their SFGs. Usually, earlier varieties are shorter than late varieties.
You can use the new search feature for corn and find the old threads.
Keep us posted on your progress, and remember that we love to see photos.
This year I grew my corn in a raised bed because I was growing Hickory King field corn which can grow to 12' tall, and I didn't want to have to support it. Some on the forum reported good luck growing shorter corn - the 4-6' varieties of sweet corn - without any support at all in their SFGs. Usually, earlier varieties are shorter than late varieties.
You can use the new search feature for corn and find the old threads.
Keep us posted on your progress, and remember that we love to see photos.
ander217- Posts : 1450
Join date : 2010-03-16
Age : 69
Location : Southeastern Missouri (6b)
Thanks for all your help!
I appreciate all your help. I've found all sorts of new things on this journey...and I'm looking forward to a great garden.
rumleyp- Posts : 2
Join date : 2011-01-09
Location : Middle Tennessee
Re: SFG on concrete pad
rumleyp wrote:We have just bought a house with a great wire-enclosed structure (12x16) that would be perfect for keeping critters out of the garden. But it's on a concrete pad?
Just FYI - if this was a dog kennel, you should make sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect the concrete pad if it's been in use within the last year or so. If it's been longer than that, your risk is probably minimal. To be on the safe side, scrub it with dilute bleach - 1/4 cup per gallon of water. If it wasn't housing meat eaters like dogs, you're probably OK.
If you go with the TT beds, it won't matter, no need for disinfection.
Odd Duck- Posts : 327
Join date : 2010-03-08
Age : 62
Location : DFW, TX, Zone 7b/8a
Re: SFG on concrete pad
Odd Duck wrote:rumleyp wrote:We have just bought a house with a great wire-enclosed structure (12x16) that would be perfect for keeping critters out of the garden. But it's on a concrete pad?
Just FYI - if this was a dog kennel, you should make sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect the concrete pad if it's been in use within the last year or so. If it's been longer than that, your risk is probably minimal. To be on the safe side, scrub it with dilute bleach - 1/4 cup per gallon of water. If it wasn't housing meat eaters like dogs, you're probably OK.
If you go with the TT beds, it won't matter, no need for disinfection.
One caveat. If there is much ammonia from dog pee adding bleach can create a poisonous gas and I only mention it because a friend almost died that way cleaning a patio that was outdoors and well ventilated. If the pee is old it likely will not matter.
Re: SFG on concrete pad
Chopper wrote:Odd Duck wrote:rumleyp wrote:We have just bought a house with a great wire-enclosed structure (12x16) that would be perfect for keeping critters out of the garden. But it's on a concrete pad?
Just FYI - if this was a dog kennel, you should make sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect the concrete pad if it's been in use within the last year or so. If it's been longer than that, your risk is probably minimal. To be on the safe side, scrub it with dilute bleach - 1/4 cup per gallon of water. If it wasn't housing meat eaters like dogs, you're probably OK.
If you go with the TT beds, it won't matter, no need for disinfection.
One caveat. If there is much ammonia from dog pee adding bleach can create a poisonous gas and I only mention it because a friend almost died that way cleaning a patio that was outdoors and well ventilated. If the pee is old it likely will not matter.
walshevak
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 4370
Join date : 2010-10-17
Age : 81
Location : wilmington, nc zone 8
Re: SFG on concrete pad
hit the button too soon.
anyway, rent a power sprayer and stand back. bleach, ammonia, and anything else should be GONE
anyway, rent a power sprayer and stand back. bleach, ammonia, and anything else should be GONE
walshevak
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 4370
Join date : 2010-10-17
Age : 81
Location : wilmington, nc zone 8
Re: SFG on concrete pad
I would think that you can use many a thing to use on a concrete area for SFG. I have two beds that I bought that are heavy duty 12" deep self watering things, with the option to buy casters so they are moveable. The table top would be nice too, I would also think that if you could get your hands on some pallets you could use those as a nice "base" to start, and build UP from those. You'd need something like a mesh wire to be able to keep the dirt and stuff in, and let water drain out.
You might even be able to build a cinder block type SFG on it, but it wouldn't be moveable, but that's not really a bad thing!
You might even be able to build a cinder block type SFG on it, but it wouldn't be moveable, but that's not really a bad thing!
Re: SFG on concrete pad
hello and welcome to forums i too built my beds on top of a concrete slab in the yard but to assist in drainage befor i added the mix i took a few scrap pieces of lathe that i used to make the grid and shimmed the 4 corners of the raised bed in order to create a gap at the base so that water had somewhere to go
choksaw- Posts : 459
Join date : 2010-03-02
Age : 49
Location : New Port Richey FL.
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum