Hello from the Fingerlakes

Hi everyone!
Glad i found Mel's book at Wegmans the other day. I've been reading it non-stop and wondered about all the rest of the people who use SFG.
Quite by accident, we built a SFG, (actually 3, 12'x4') a couple years ago. I didnt know about SFG, but the size I wanted was just enough to reach from the sides with 3 foot aisles! It just made sense, but unfortunately I planted in rows the first year! It was an ok garden, but the weeds were horrendous! So last year I tried to group the plants and they did exceptionally well. Now after reading Mel's book I know this year will be even better.
Funny how common sense is what the SFG is all about and I came at it from a different direction. I also put them right in the middle of our backyard instead of out by the farmers field where it was fogotten so much my husband requested I didn't have a garden since it always was too much work and ended up overgrown with weeds! My boxes are taller than the SFG recommends, but I have trouble squating (my old knees don't like it) so I wanted it a foot off the ground so I could just bend over to tend it. I also used a biodegradeable paper the second year to keep the weeds under control and that worked nicely.
Well that's part of my story, I'll be checking out all your fabulous gardens!
~Mary

Greetings Mary! Welcome to the SFG Forum!!

Welcome Mary!

My oldest son went to college in Ithaca, NY where he met his wife and they now live in West Falls, NY near Buffalo....still getting snow.

Anyway my husband & I built them a 4 x 4 SFG box last year.

I joined the forum last spring.

Here's to hoping comes soon...



Dunkinjean

Welcome to the forum Mary.
You won't be sorry you're doing it Mel's way.

This forum is here for you if you have questions. Someone is sure to have an answer.

Welcome to the forum, Mary.

It sounds as though you have a great start. Keep us posted on how your garden grows, and remember that we love to see photos.

Hi Mary! I went to school in your part of the world myself. Lovely place, and I'd bet still quite snowy, too. Sounds like you have some wonderful beds ready and waiting to try some SFG! (Would you be able to build them up a little higher and maybe put a flat piece on top of the box to be able to sit on that while you work? It does mean more Mel's Mix, but you could always put some filler or sand in the bottom to save on cost.) I look forward to hearing more about your plans!

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!
Dunkin Jean, I love Ithaca! If we ever moved it would be to that area! It's only 45 minutes from our place and we go there a lot! And I went to college in Amherst...small world isn't it?

And yes we still have snow on the ground, but it's sunny at least!(and 26 degrees...)
Thanks for all the encouragement, too!

I would like to have a chicken coop with just a half a dozen or so laying chickens for fresh eggs, does anyone have information on starting out?