Newbie From Virginia

jan 3/24/2010, 11:36 pm

Several years ago I drooled over my sister's SFG. She has a green thumb and I could kill artificial turf :-) She keeps telling me she will help me get started but she is busy and I am anxious to begin. I am starting from scratch and feel a little overwhelmed. I'm planning to buy an Amish grid from SFG. Where can I find Mel's Mix and how much do I need for a 3x3? Thanks for helping!!

choksaw 3/25/2010, 6:12 pm

Hello jan and welcom to the forums we have alot of information and some really creative people here check out the Garden showcase forum to see what others are doing to get some ideas and feel free to post up your own pictures (we love them) an dbe sure to stop by your regional forum to meet other people in your area and hardiness zone.

as for the 3x3 box you will need 6 cubic feet (correct me somebody if my math is wrong) to fill the box mels mix can only be picked up localy for now as shipping would be insane in cost. Most of your compost materials can be purchased in bags from the big box stores and from feed stores check the vermiculite source forum as well to find a supplier near you or if you find that isnt there feel free to post it up for others to know about and use. good luck with your garden and im sure in no time your sister will be envying you. Newbie From Virginia Icon_biggrin

Wyldflower 3/25/2010, 6:38 pm

ummmm... that'll be 4-1/2 cubic feet for a 3x3 box 6" high.

So 1-1/2 cubic feet each of peat moss, blended compost and vermiculite.

~the math maven Newbie From Virginia Icon_wink

choksaw 3/25/2010, 6:43 pm

Im comeing to you wyld next time i have anything that involves math lol it was my worst subject in school and go figure i became a mechanic

Wyldflower 3/25/2010, 7:02 pm

choksaw wrote:Im comeing to you wyld next time i have anything that involves math lol it was my worst subject in school and go figure i became a mechanic

okay then, what's the correct compression ratio for my 2002 Focus? LOL

choksaw 3/25/2010, 7:59 pm

1.8L 2.0L or 2.3L turbo lol?

Wyldflower 3/25/2010, 9:24 pm

2.0
(case in favor of off topic forums!)

choksaw 3/25/2010, 11:12 pm

Wyldflower wrote:2.0
(case in favor of off topic forums!)

10.5:1 compression ratio if not mistaken

jan 3/25/2010, 11:31 pm

Thank you for the replys!! I am really excited about my new garden and being a part of this online family Newbie From Virginia Icon_biggrin

Wyldflower 3/25/2010, 11:32 pm

(don't tell choksaw that ratios are MATH!)

jan 3/25/2010, 11:33 pm

Are there any specific brands of vermiculite and peat moss that are best? I have been tossing veggie scraps in a compost barrel all year, should I use this as my compost or buy something?

Wyldflower 3/26/2010, 12:18 am

Hi Jan... and sorry for going off topic!

The book doesn't recommend one brand over another.... basically vermiculite is vermiculite... but you want to be sure there are no other additives (some industrial applications may have cement added, for example).

Peat moss is partially decayed vegetal matter, and as long as it's labeled "peat moss" it will not have any other 'stuff' in it that you might not want.

Mel recommends your own compost whenever possible. Just make sure that it doesn't have any animal product in it. He also recommends that if you are buying compost, make sure you get at least five different kinds, eg: a couple of types of manure (from herbivores), mushroom compost, humus, etc.

Have you got the book? If you don't I'd strongly suggest that you get hold of a copy and read through it. It's really spelled out in fairly simple terms.

choksaw 3/26/2010, 12:25 am

vermiculite has 3 major types
Coarse (SFG reccomended)
Medium
Fine

you want the coarse type for your SFG

jan 3/26/2010, 12:34 am

Thanks Wyldflower! Although I have had the book for years I am just now reading and studying the contents. I think my fear of killing everything I grow keeps me from embracing the book and I panic everytime I start reading about planting times, regions, starting from seeds, etc. Gardening just seems to come so easily to some but my eyes start glazing over when I try to figure out what to do next. I do appreciate your tips and will head out to Lowes tomorrow for my ingredients.

jan 3/26/2010, 12:37 am

coarse vermiculite!!! Thanks.

jan 3/26/2010, 12:39 am

Not to get off topic but how do I post a picture with my name?

Wyldflower 3/26/2010, 12:41 am

Have you decided what you're going to plant?

I'm a newbie too, and I fear I'm a little ambitious with all the stuff I want to grow - I'm building two 3'x6' boxes (or maybe three 4'x4's) for tomatoes, peppers, squash, broccoli, lettuce, and oooohhh so many other things I WANT. We'll see how successful we are! I've been hearing about SFG for years, like you have. I never had a place before (bought my house last year). So we're both novices at gardening.

Much good luck!

Wyldflower 3/26/2010, 12:47 am

jan wrote:Not to get off topic but how do I post a picture with my name?

Hmmm.... I can't find the 'avatar' section of the PROFILE... I know it has to be in there somewhere, because I did this the other day.... but I think one of the moderators had said something about a problem with setting up avatars.

It would definitely be in the "Profile" section.... check in the forum "New Forum Feedback" here: https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/the-new-forum-feedback-f36/avatar-t743.htm

jan 3/26/2010, 12:59 am

Wyld, Thanks for the encouragement!! I am interested in planting grape tomatoes, broccli, cucumbers, onions, garlic, red and green bell peppers and strawberries. I'm really excited, good luck to you as well!!!

choksaw 3/26/2010, 1:04 am

check the vermiculite sourcing thread as well because lowes down here didnt have nor would they order Vermiculite.
and as far as the eyes glazine over from all the info thats what the forums ar ehere for a community of like minded gardners with a vast array of knowledge on the subject so feel free to ask any and all questions you have some one here is bound to know the answer or be able to point you in the right direction

jan 3/26/2010, 2:19 am

Thanks!!!

boffer 3/26/2010, 2:26 am

jan wrote:Not to get off topic but how do I post a picture with my name?

I guess nobody reads the scroller Newbie From Virginia Icon_sad

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	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.