Greetings from Corvallis, Oregon!

We have had traditional vegetable gardens for many years. Last year's cool and wet spring/summer here in the PNW produced dismal results in our garden. This year hasn't been much different. We just put together 3 8x4 raised bed boxes and thought we would give SFG a try this year.

I will definitely comb previous posts on this topic, but I would love to hear from others in our area who have been successful in these conditions. We have about 4 acres NW outside of town, in the hills. Like many others, we have to compete with the deer, rabbits, and wild turkeys for the garden vegetables. I love the covered wagon approach and I think that we will try that in place of another fence.

Thank you to everyone for sharing their knowledge here--what a great resource!

Vamoots,

So nice to have another Oregonian join the forum.

Not too sure this spring has been much warmer or drier either, at least out on the coast, but we do have those occasional rays of sunshine that we love to soak up.

Did you have any trouble locating ingredients for Mel's Mix? Sometimes finding five different types of quality compost is difficult. Perhaps, since you have gardened for many years, you make your own compost. The vermiculite is pricey, but it makes the Mel's Mix so loose and fluffy, as well as holding moisture and draining well.

Covered wagons with deer netting are pretty good at deterring the rabbits and deer. The covered wagons with 6 mil plastic covers are also good to protect your plants from rain and coolness, so you can extend your season a bit earlier and later in the year. I am converting to Table Top SFG and find it easy to protect my little crops.

Please keep us posted on your progress and if you would share pictures, we certainly would enjoy them.

Again, Welcome

Welcome to the forum!. Pacific NW weather seems to agree with raised beds and being able to have something growing in the garden most of the year (with cover).

I have also gardened for many years and built several more beds after last years success with SFG. No tilling this year for me and I do enjoy not having to weed so much.

I wish you great success in your SFG1

Vamoots, from Kelejan in British Columbia.


Second-year SFG and first year on this forum which has become somewhat addictive for me.

You being a tradional gardener you already have a store of knowledge and with this system you will be able to compare the results.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised by SFG and will have a lot to look forward to.
Before I could never garden in my place because of the rocks so near the surface, then I found that one could just lay a bed on top without any digging or moving rocks and just start gardening.

After much debate, we went with a soil/compost mix recommended by a local master gardener who was familiar with Mel's mix. We placed and filled the beds today and I might get the grids laid out a little later this evening (love the long daylight). Since it is so late in the season, we got plant starts from a wonderful local nursery and I hope to get them in tomorrow. My SO, Greg, just went to the big box store for hoop covering materials to keep the deer and rabbits out. I will post pics as we get a little farther along.

Kelejan: I *heart* Castlegar! I was there years ago on vacation and have great memories of cycling in the area.

Thanks again, for your encouraging words and warm welcome!

Tracy