From the mountains of Virginia

Hi there.

I've been threatening to start a square foot garden for about 12 years. This year, I have the boxes and the soil and am waiting for the last frost date to arrive. I even started a few seeds for some herbs, but will probably buy plants this year. It almost seems to me that, by the time I buy the things to start seeds in, it would be as economical to buy plants.

I have two boxes for this first year and have materials for two more that I'll save for next year. I'm planning on tomatoes, stuffing peppers, bush beans and, maybe, cukes. Knowing me, though, I'll add some other things when I see them in the local garden store.

This is the first time I've had a flat area, lots of sun, and enough funds to actually buy the materials. Now, if only April and early May would pass.

Our climate, while in Virginia, is more like southwestern Pennsylvania. The big plant oline stores tend to ship everything about two weeks too early for our climate, if we forget to advise them. I wasted a bunch of bucks the first year by not realizing this. By the time I could plant them, they were dead. If I took the chance and planted early, they froze. This year, I'm buying locally and trying to be patient.

And so it begins! I started with one box, kept getting more. It is a lovely distraction. Getting idgy for May right along with you (though I'm way over in western Washington....the state)

Don't be a stranger. You sound like us!
Deborah.... going on 6 boxes and not even close to what some here have. But it always starts with one or two.

Hi there and welcome to the forum and to SFG! Glad you have joined us. Best wishes for starting your veggies....please let us know how things progress!

Welcome! Hope you have a great time in your garden.

Kim

Hi,

I haven't posted here in forever, but I still lurked and learned when time permitted.

It is nice to "meet" another neighbor. You will love it here. I've learned sooooo much from everyone. You can't help but succeed with all of the good advice and wonderful pictures.

I am late as usual ordering seed. I have to work midnight tonight and will decide which tomatoes to order after studying the '2011 Tomatoes Wha'cha Growin?!' thread.

So many tomatoes-So little time (and money)!!!!

I have a long seed wish-list already and haven't even started with the usual stand-bys! I will try to post a list when I finish.

I can't wait to plant! LOVING this rain that is falling outside.

I still have lots of greens that over-wintered in my 4x4s. DH is threatening to pull them out so he can start spring planting!

There are several others here in Va which really helps our success rate on what does well in our climate. I'm approximately 20 miles east of Lynchburg in Cen Va.

I only have 2 4x4s so far. DH built a 3rd, but that is his 'experimental' bed, so I have to keep hands off! I will still grow in-ground and add SFGs as time and $$$s permit until I'm all SFG.

Betty

Welcome back, bettyd!

Thanks Megan! Good to be back.

Betty

Welcome to the forum, Isleofjava. So glad you decided to do the SFG this year. It sounds as though you have a great plan. Now if spring will only arrive!

Keep us posted on how your garden grows, and remember that folks here are happy to help in any way they can.

I finished one of my blocks today. I'll post pictures as soon as I can find the usb cable for my camera (it's probably buried under all the dirt bags from Walmart). I planted broccoli, radishes, carrots, onion sets, spinach and beets. It's ALL an experiment to me, so it's a lot of fun.

I'm going to put another one out this year and two more next year. This year, I'll put tomatoes, peppers, green beans, cukes, and squash out - maybe some other things I find that appeal to me, too.

Next year, I'm planting an asparagus garden, a strawberry garden, and, maybe, a 4' corn "field."

I'll go look for that cable, now.

So exciting, isleofjava! I'm looking forward to your pictures.

That's a nice assortment of cool weather veggies that you planted. If you like lettuce, some of those are tolerant of very light frosts, so maybe they could go in now too.

Looking forward to seeing your finished bed. Hope that USB cable just jumps up and says "Here I am"

Welcome to the forum I'm in central Virginia and we have nine beds and plan to almost double them this year (although that may be wishful thinking, we'll see). I'm also planning to put in asparagus and strawberries next year! This is the year of the chicken, so other than a few more 2 foot wide boxes that are of varying lengths, my special projects have to wait until next year.

I look forward to seeing your pictures