Introduction from a Newbie

Hi from Northwest of Atlanta. Limited space available, so SFG is intriguing notion. Have had gardens in the past in NY mid-Hudson Valley area and would like to grow some of my own herbs and veggies in pots or very small SFGs.
I look forward to learning more about this and would appreciate any suggestions or references. Will be checking out the SFG site thoroughly.
Hail to Green Gardening!!!

Hi Rose! Welcome to the forum. So glad to have you join us. SFG is the perfect way to garden in a small space and the Mel's Mix will be awesome for it. If you don't already have a copy of Mel's All New Square Foot Gardening, borrow a copy from the library or pick up your own at a bookstore. That has got so much valuable information and will answer a lot of questions you may have right from the get-go.

We have a huge SFG family here who have a lot of hints and ideas to help you as well. Feel free to jump on any time and ask. Check out the Regional forum for your area. Some questions you may have may be specific to your area and there is bound to be someone near you who can help you out.

I am in Canada so still waiting for gardening season to begin here.

Gwynn

Rose,

So nice to have you join us.

Old Hippie is right, the first step is to read ALL NEW SQUARE FOOT GARDENING, first published around 2006. This book will provide information and instructions in a very clear, simple manner.

Mel suggests 4 ft by 4 ft and 6 inches deep as a standard SFG bed, he also uses 3 ft by 3 ft and 6 inches deep (called Square Meter Gardening) you can also create 1 or 2 ft by whatever length you choose. Small is fine. You just don't want your beds more than 4 feet wide, as it is too difficult to reach the middle in wider beds.

We have several members in the greater Atlanta area. Hope you will get a chance to read the book really soon. Please, keep us posted on your progress.

So gald you found us Rose as the others have said All New Square Foot Gardening is THE most important reference to have. The people here are very helpful and well informed but no replacement for the horse's mouth. I realy like a lot of the info in the older book as well your local libary might have a copy of each.
I rent so my space is very limited as well and I will have a 4x6 TT (table top) bed soon but grow in pots too. Mel's mix is the key. Some of my pots now have compost only and some have Mel's mix (in the top 6") the ones in the mix are doing better to be sure.

Welcome and you came to the right spot! Enjoy and ask any questions you may have.

So glad to have you!

I'm so glad you've taken an interest in SFG. I hope you give it a try this growing season. I agree with everyone else. The first step is to get the book. It makes the rest of the steps so much easier.

SFG is perfect for small spaces. You can make your beds as narrow or as wide as you need to fit your space. The Mel's mix is the key. That mix is essential to getting the method to work because it provides your plants all the nutrients they need to thrive in shallow earth with closer than usual spacing.

If you have any questions about the method or getting started please feel free to ask. We are always eager to help. Also, we love pictures around here, so please post some of your SFG when you get a chance.

Atlanta falls in the Middle South region. Please stop on by our regional forum and get to know us down there. The regional forums are a great place to get region specific information, ask regional questions, and just get to know folks near you (and there are a lot of member in the ATL area).

Take care and happy gardening!

Welcome to the forum! You will find lots of information for your checking. Regional forums, compost, vermiculite, and other general topics are all here. This is a dynamic forum this time of year. People are posting pictures for bragging and asking questions both. The people here are incredibly nice and love to help. Jump in and get active.

But, keep the "hail" talk to a minimum in the springtime around here... Some us have seen hailstones the size of softballs already and are a bit skittish at the term. :drunken:

Welcome again.

Y'all are so nice and friendly. I learned Southernese after moving South from New York, via 10 years in Madison WI. I do like the plural of you that is sprinkled freely throughout conversation here.

I really can't construct any beds here, but will use some pots. I'm heading to the library tomorrow hoping the have the book. If not I'll find a way to get one :!:

Blessings to one and all.

Rose