Sort of new.. from zone 7b

I am sort of new to Square foot gardening. I live in Zone 7b of Texas. I have had my gardens for a few years. I had to work through one season too many hours to mention and the garden just didn't happen. This year we started it and it is looking okay, but I can tell we aren't from this zone and we didn't really research when to start the plants. It is certainly a learning experience. If I thought we would just put some seeds into dirt and not have to pay for groceries anymore.. that would not be the case. You have to love the dirt and really want to make this work over time. I am thinking we did several things wrong and we will be correcting them. I did buy peat moss, vermiculite and compost. However, I purchased the compost from the town, and not several different varieties and so the soil isn't as lush as it could be. We will be purchasing more varieties of compost and ammending. We are also re-building the boxes next year. We have a very invasive Bermuda grass, and I cannot seem to keep it out of the boxes! Any ideas from anyone how to kill off the Bermuda and keep it out of the boxes next year... I would sincerely appreciate the advice on avoiding the issues with the Bermuda. I'm not loving that so much. We did several smaller separated boxes last time, and we have to weed wack in between them. I will be going next to one LOOOOOOONG box that is 4 feet deep and working it from the two different sides. I will this way avoid the paths of weeding in between and give myself more planting area.

Mommarock

We are very glad to have you join us.

Moving from one zone to another and trying to garden can be stressful as a lot of your previous, proven, garden varieites are no longer the best choice for the new area. Check this post for helpful links regarding frost dates, seed starting and transplanting dates and other bits of helpful information to help you regarding planting.HELPFUL LINKS

We have members with experience dealing with Bermuda Grass. Hopefully someone will jump in with some good advice for you.

Please keep us posted on your progress this year and share pictures.

Welcome, mommarock, love the name! I'm glad you've decided to join us! Also be sure to check your regional forum where you can post to get more information on your particular area. There should be plenty of folks there who can help and also lots of older posts you can read for information on what works for your new zone.

Mommarock, ever think about a table top I have one thats 4x6 feet and will be adding a 4x8 box as soon as I can.

I've often thought about table tops gardens.. especially when my legs go dead weeding.. but for the amount of boxes that we are planting, it just isn't as feasable for us. I have been reading, and I am HOPING that 10 to 12 layers of newsprint underneath the new beds and extending out the sides may help. The current plan.. one I hope will work is to lay out 10 to 12 layers of newsprint and wet it so it doesn't blow away while we are working, and extend it into the pathways. Build the boxes on top of those newspapers and hopefully they will keep the bermuda from creeping in the sides and underneath. The problem is.. I don't know if the seed is IN the mix now. Perhaps covering the boxes with black plastic at the end of this year? Dilemmas in gardening.. they keep you sharp don't they.

Get cardboard boxes and add a couple of layers of that under the newpaper layers. You said you got the compost from the town supply. I noticed when I looked at my town mulch that bermuda and/or st. augustine grass runners were prevelent in it so I passed. Just something to keep in mind. I don't know if the seeds and runners burn out in composting.

Kay