Hello from snowy (?!) Seattle!

Hello to all of you SFGs! I've just discovered this amazing approach, and am eagerly making preparations for my first SFG beds.

My current plan is for two 2x6 boxes, made out of broken up concrete slab, and grids made out of bamboo poles -- resources already available to us at home. No final plant list yet, but the possibilities include lettuce, a few herbs, onions, carrots, sugar peas and of course flowers, especially a sunflower for my toddler. I've successfully grown tomatoes, leaf lettuce and flowers in containers, and am curious about what else might work in our climate.

I appreciate Mel's advice around starting small, and will do my best to honor it! I laid out the pieces of slab last weekend, and have been gazing at them from the house this week to see if I like how they look. So far so good, so if the snow doesn't continue to fly maybe this weekend I'll contend with the grass beneath them!

Looking forward to learning from all of you!

So glad to have ya!

If I were you I'd hop on over the the PNW regional forum and ask them about what grows best in your climate. I'm sure they will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

I'd love to see photos of these concrete boxes. It sounds interesting. I don't know if I've ever seen an SFG like that. It's truly amazing what folks come with as far as design goes.

Please make your self at home and ask as many questions as you like.

Do you have the ALLNEW SFG book?

MCard

So very nice to have you join us.

MCard wrote:My current plan is for two 2x6 boxes, made out of broken up concrete slab, and grids made out of bamboo poles -- resources already available to us at home. No final plant list yet, but the possibilities include lettuce, a few herbs, onions, carrots, sugar peas and of course flowers, especially a sunflower for my toddler. I've successfully grown tomatoes, leaf lettuce and flowers in containers, and am curious about what else might work in our climate.

Starting small is a good thing. It can be difficult trying to keep up with lots of boxes (especially when they are in different stages of completion) when you are still learning the method.

As far as what else will work in our climate, you first need to determine what produce you normally buy and what your family likes. Most crops grow here, but you might not have good luck with true hot weather crops. Cucumbers, summer squash, beans (bush and pole) beets, artichokes which really take a lot of room,broccoli, cabbage, bok choi, carrots, cauliflower, swiss chard, celery, onions, lettuce, herbs, peppers, potatoes, radishes, spinach, tomatoes, probably even melons for your area.
So, the big question is what do you want to grow?

nonna.poppavino found this great list of varieties specific to Oregon's different regions. Not sure which region you would be most like, probably Region II, Western Valleys, but most regions grow the same varieties, just some are not suitable to the really cool climate of the coast, or the cold climates in the mountains.

PNW Best Varieties

Your toddler is going to have a blast helping you. Just be prepared for a few green tomatoes to be lovingly placed in your hand as the young one "helps",

One thing you will find in the PNW, we have so many micro-climates, things may work a little different for each of us, but there are several members in the Seattle area, so we can help each other.

This is a great group of people, please feel free to ask questions. Keep us updated on your progress and share pictures. We them.

What a great welcome!

In reply -- the ANSFG book is the whole reason I'm here. I've read it, I love it, and I definitely want to do this. I can't believe I haven't stumbled across this approach before!

And -- thanks much for the PNW-specific referrals. I'm in northeast Seattle, close to Lake Washington, but in a valley (in fact, Thornton Creek runs through my yard). I absolutely understand the concept of micro-climates -- just a few blocks away the conditions can be quite different than those at home.

I will keep in touch as the box construction goes on, and see about posting some pics as the garden grows.

Thank you both SO much!

Welcome, MCard, you'll love square ft. gardening. I'm really new to it, but have been gardening for mumble, mumble years. One of my previous irritations was having a whole bunch of stuff come on at the same time, and we were unable to chew fast enough to keep ahead of it. The SFG concept should elimiinate that aggravation. One foot squares lend themselves to constantly replanting as old crops mature and fade. We (here in northwest Oregon, are making a concentrated effort to become year-round gardeners. Keep us advised of YOUR progress!