Hello from Midcoast Maine

Hi everyone,

My name is Mike. My wife picked up the SFG book and said "we can do this." We are very impulsive, non-comittal type people, so when we finally decided to do this we decided to go all out. We have built 6 boxes, started an outdoor compost pile, started seedlings, and put together a vermicomposting bin in the basement. We have been searching the local gardening places for the 5 types of compost, but none have any in yet.

other hobbies: geocaching, hiking, kayaking, and eating

CacheCrashers

CacheCrashers wrote:We are very impulsive, non-comittal type people, so when we finally decided to do this we decided to go all out. We have built 6 boxes, started an outdoor compost pile, started seedlings, and put together a vermicomposting bin in the basement.

for impulsive, non-committal types, you sure went all out jumping into SFG. You are going to love it.

I am suprised that compost is still not available at your local nurseries, big box stores, etc. But, I live in a much more temperate area and we have had compost available for some time now. Congratulations on starting your own Compost Pile. Once that compost is finished, your garden will love it. Were you able to find Vermiculite? Sometimes that is the Mel's Mix ingredient that is the hardest to find. Here is a link to our VERMICULITE DATA BASE. Just use the USDB button and all of the retailers already located by our forum members are listed in State order. If you happen to find a new source, we would appreciate your providing the information using the US FORM button.

Again, welcome and keep us updated on your progress. We love pictures, so please share.

I work at a lumberyard/hardware store so we had the vermiculite for insulating in stock. Unfortunately our stores a geared toward the building trades, so we stock very little in the way of gardening supplies.

Don't get discouraged. Get out the old phone book and start calling any nurseries and farmers supply stores in your area. See what they have to offer. And supplement with Lowes and Home Depot which carry the compressed peat and limited compost. You found the hard part - vermiculite.



Kay

Greetings and to the Forum! Congratulations on starting your SFG! Where are you located in Maine? maybe I can give you some help finding some compost sources. Fingers crossed for better weather.

Facebook is a geat thing. I posted that I needed some manure and got a few offers. By the way, I'm in Warren (near Camden/Rockland).

You are fortunate that you live in Maine because some of the best compost I have ever bought is made there! I just love that lobstah compost!
http://www.coastofmaine.com/soils-quoddy.shtml
Additionally you have the sea and SEAWEED! Lucky lucky you!
http://www.ehow.com/how_2284434_quick-easy-seaweed-compost.html
Because it takes a while for a compost pile to cook down, this may be better for adding to the garden later in the season, as a top dressing of sorts.
My grandparents lived in Penobscot, a bit north of you.

Furbalsmom wrote:

I am suprised that compost is still not available at your local nurseries, big box stores, etc.

Here in northern New England there is still snow on the ground and that ground is still frozen; in my area the garden supplies were starting to appear this past week. When I went to the grain store looking for onion sets last week, I was told they have not shipped yet for fear of freezing during transport.

It is really hard for me to imagine that much snow still on the ground.

Hope it thaws and warms up for you guys soon.

camprn wrote:

Furbalsmom wrote:

I am suprised that compost is still not available at your local nurseries, big box stores, etc.

Here in northern New England there is still snow on the ground and that ground is still frozen; in my area the garden supplies were starting to appear this past week. When I went to the grain store looking for onion sets last week, I was told they have not shipped yet for fear of freezing during transport.

+1! Things are looking up, though - at least for a few days. The storm that was supposed to bring us snow today is now supposed to bring us rain showers by tomorrow. Can you spell THAW?! Supposed to be up to high 30's for the rest of the week. Singin' HEAT WAVE!

TC

How did I miss your post?
Welcome neighbor!

I'm in Raymond near the NH border and south of you.
Its been a long, cold, white winter and today we are in the middle of a snowstorm. So far 8" and still snowing. A great April Fool's Day joke on us.

I think you'll find that SFG is right for you, and anyone else actually. Its an easier way to go and you have those lovely fresh crops to put on your table all thru the growing season. With cold frames and hoop houses, you can extend at both ends.

Last year I built myself an A-frame that had me harvesting lettuces, carrots, spinach and scallions much sooner than in the regular boxes. One pole was wrecked in the wind storm we had in the middle of October last year and I've not put it back up yet. I've been waiting for the snow to melt out there.

Unfortunately, some of us are still under a foot or more of snow so our spring has been delayed. I have the lumber to build a 4 x 2' cold frame to extend my harvests into Dec this year.

Once you can get outside, you can get rolling and start planting, even if its buying seedlings from Home Dept or Lowe's or Walmart, which I did my first spring in 2009. I find that they all get Bonnie plants with Walmart being about 3 cents cheaper in our area, but Lowe's and H Depot more often have the healthier looking plants.

Good luck and if you have questions, you know you can come here and someone will surely be able to help you.

Welcome!

Good news! Composts are slowly coming in around here. Picked up Coast of Maine Quoddy blend (lobster & aspen bark), Penobscot blend (blueberries, mussels, salmon, & peat) and shrimp & seaweed compost by Fafard. I will have my peat bales and composted cow manure by the end of the week. Now, if the weather will cooperate....

Congrats!!!My guess is the weather is going to go from this protracted winter to HOT in 2 weeks... get ready!!

Like all Mainers, I'm waiting for the temps to rise and melt the rest of the snow so I can get out to my garden.

Last week, before the storm, I shoveled off 3 beds and my new asparageus bed and covered them with plastic. I need to get a jump on the weather soon. The plastic will warm the soil and keep that deep melt of snow from keeping my gardens sopping with water. I still might get some broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower seedlings out soon and will put up my A-frame.

Its good, cache, that you are finding the composts. I'm sure more will show up as the days warm a little more.

Good luck with your garden and don't forget, we love pictures.