Hi from Iowa

Hi Everybody!
I'm in the process of setting things up. Good lord, it's more work than a over weight, hobbled up, old woman was bargaining for, but I suppose it's good for me. Can't imagine how exercising, eating fresh veggies and not being in the house all day wouldn't do me some good.
I live in SE Iowa on a small acreage about a mile outside of town. Our land is surrounded by 10 acres of pasture (wish we owned that, but it's nice to look at none the less). We have 5 or 6 cats at any time. They tend to come and go.
It's a beautiful day here, the sun is shining, the sky is incredibly blue and it's a nice cool day. I'm so looking forward to meeting you all. I have some questions, so think I'll go post them in the place they are suppose to be posted. BFN!

Welcome aboard! You've found a great community.

First tip: Pace yourself. If you aren't used to the work in setting up the garden (any garden), take it easy. It's supposed to be fun...not a health-risk.

That said: Ask any question you want. We love helping around here. We also love to brag and post our pictures of our SFGs.

Feel free to check around the more specialized areas like our regional forums, composting, and vermiculite databases, for some more specific information pertaining to you and your climate. Hope to see you around here lots!

Hi stripesmom, I just wanted to drop by to say to the forum! There are so many great folks on here who are always willing to help with questions and problems. I'm a newbie, too, and have my first 2 sfgs this year. I love the forum and just know that you will, too.

I hope you'll enjoy sfgardening. Do you have the All New Square Foot Gardening book yet? If not, you should really get a copy. It explains the whole sfg method so nicely. Hope you'll post often and keep us updated as to how things are going. Post pics when you can - everybody here just loves seeing how others are gardening! Ask questions and watch how everyone gathers around to offer suggestions and solutions to gardening problems. Hope to see you around the forum!

Hi Stripesmom! I am over in south central Iowa! Yup I started with one 4x4 bed last year and this year I have 3 4x4 and a 4x6 in the works! Hope you miss the frost tonight!

Stripesmom

Welcome to the group.

Remember this is supposed to be fun! Yes, building and filling the bed with Mel's Mix is a LOT of work, but after this, weeding is a cinch (if needed at all) and really, you will be planting, nurturing and harvesting, with maybe a bit of bug patrol included.

Don't hurt yourself and enjoy the experience.

Keep us posted on your progress and share pictures, please.

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I'm trying to take it slow, but I feel like I'm in a race to beat the clock, lol. I want to have my beds ready when the time is right to plant tomatoes. Last year, it was so wet and gloomy here, we didn't get many tomatoes and I put out 8 plants. This year, I want to be able to have hoops up, so if the rains never let up (the way it seemed last year) I can at least protect the maters. Plus, every thing else I want to plant.
Pictures will be a problem. I love to look at everybodies gardens too. I don't have a camera though. When I take pictures, I have to buy a disposable. I know, I'm not from this century, lol. But, I will take pictures and post eventually.
Sherryeo, I have the old book, the new book and just today, I got the cookbook. I've read the books front to back, under lined, made notes, made new notes. Then, when I started to do things, realized, I still didn't have it all clear in my head. But, I'm making progress and learning. I've searched the forum for help and you guys have been really great about posting information.
Cindylou, I'm in Knoxville. You look so familiar, maybe I've seen you around town at Walmart or some where else. On the other hand, it could be that my eye sight is not what it use to be and every body is looking the same to me anymore, lol. I have one 4x4 and two 2x8's. I put them on my patio, so I have a nice border and it will be easier to get to them. Plus, my yard is pretty shady, so that was one of the places that I think I'll get enough sun.

stripesmom wrote:
Cindylou, I'm in Knoxville. You look so familiar, maybe I've seen you around town at Walmart or some where else. On the other hand, it could be that my eye sight is not what it use to be and every body is looking the same to me anymore, lol. I have one 4x4 and two 2x8's. I put them on my patio, so I have a nice border and it will be easier to get to them. Plus, my yard is pretty shady, so that was one of the places that I think I'll get enough sun.

Rofl...Hi I am in Chariton! I am in Knoxville a lot..family there and hubby lived there.

Well, small world, huh? I probably have seen you around town some place. Although, I don't get out much any more, mostly grocery stores and Walmart when I have to go there. Which isn't often, since I am not a fan of that place.

Some times, we pass through Chariton, going to Russell. But that's to take the old motorcycle down to Davidson's to get it repaired.