Overwhelmed, but still here

Hi all,

I have a dream, kind of like winning the lottery I guess...I dream that a SFG expert would come to my newly built home on a mixed hardwood 3 acre lot and build me a SFG start to finish. Then said expert would give me a hug, some instruction about how to maintain my new garden, and presto, I'd be gardening! Ha ha.

I bought the SFG book a few years ago and gave it a go. I had poor results due to improper box location, and a terrible growing season. We're in northern Ontario, zone 4b, and I just can't seem to make a garden thrive. Every year I give it a go, though. I'm perseverant if not entirely successful.

(I did make a lovely vertical thing from the book for peas to climb, it's a great thing and I made it from scratch. I'm proud of that!)

Anyway, I'll be scouting out a good place for new raised beds on this property soon. It's rocky and we've got almost no soil. SFG is going to be my model. Wish me luck!

I look forward to reading this forum and getting to know you all.

Good to have ya!

Please don't give up hope. Yes, starting out can be rather stressful, but once you get the hang of it the reward is so so worth it.

I have a couple suggestions for you.

If you are having problems figuring out where you get the most sun you could try using a sun calculator like one of these: Rapitest Sun Calc or Sun Sticks. Of course, you could always choose a spot in your yard and monitor it every couple hours to see how many hours of light it is getting a day. If you can find a spot that gets 6-8 hours of sun light you should be able to get veggies to grow there.

Also, Scroll down the home page to the Canada regional forums. If you have specific questions about what grows best up there the folks in your region will probably be able to point you in the right direction.

We are all quite willing to help and answer question where we can. We may not be able to come by your house, but I'm sure we can get you up and running in no time.

I can do one thing on your list -

gardendabbler wrote:I have a dream, kind of like winning the lottery I guess...I dream that a SFG expert would come to my newly built home on a mixed hardwood 3 acre lot and build me a SFG start to finish. Then said expert would give me a hug, some instruction about how to maintain my new garden, and presto, I'd be gardening! Ha ha.

Welcome to the forum. Don't give up on your dream! There are SFG certified teachers, and serious SFG gardeners who are doing just that! There is a growing demand for that service. I realize Ontario is a big place, and I don't have a clue if anyone is doing it near you. We have some active, helpful members in Canada, maybe they can help play matchmaker!

You are at a disadvantage with your shorter and cooler growing season, but it can be done. Hang in there, the mounties are on the way!

(uh, does that work? In the states, we would say the cavalry is coming!)

two words, Hoop House.

You have already some great advice posted. The regional forums are a great place to start asking for help, as is the General SFG subforum.

Also, take some pictures of your backyard at different times of day. That will help you spot those shady spots. I have felt exactly like you do several times before. But, I was able to finally get a garden going after three years of changing things around.

You've come to the right place...the forums. Get comfortable and get active here. We love to help out however we can.

Welcome aboard!! It's great to have you here.