New guy from North Florida

New guy (sort of, had an account awhile back). I'm starting my SFG over again.
I built one last year but I made some mistakes. I used pressure treated 2x8's for the frame and filled the beds with straight compost. The compost compacted down and became almost solid and my plants started out fine and halfway through the season they just keeled over and died.

I'm not sure if it was the soil, over or under watering or what but it didnt work out too well. Also, even though I put weed block fabric under the boxes the dollar weed made it's way into the boxes,at first I couldnt figure out how the weeds got started in the boxes and the one day while mowing the grass it dawned on me. mowing close to the boxes caused the weeds to become airborne and end up in the soil. Anyone who has dealt with dollar weed knows it's tenacious and really hard to get rid of.

So now I have the right formula for the mix, found a source for vermiculite and i'm rebuilding my boxes with untreated lumber. and this time I'm going to surround the beds with mulch so I wont have to mow up close to them.

Hi bpbdrummer,

Welcome back to the forum; glad to hear you're willing to give it another go. We'll add you to our long list of folks who tend to do new things the hard way!

Would you make a thread in your regional forum titled "Vermiculite available in (your city, your state)" then post any details. This will help others in your area save time trying to find vermiculite. Also, Ward has been keeping a list of sources worldwide and your post will help him find the info to add.

Thanks for posting

no problem, I need to confirm the source before I post it though. A local nursery owner told me there is a place that carries vermiculite in 4 cu ft bags but I need to go make sure before i tell others they actually carry it.

Hay North Florida Guy:

Where do you call home? Originally I am from Macclenny in Baker County. Mom, Dad, sister and one brother are still there.

You are right about dollar weed. Easy to get and hard to get rid of.

God Bless, Ward.

lol a fellow sand digger welcome to the forums i live in mid florida on the gulf coast about an hour north of tampa gl with your garden

so glad you found the forums!

and i do hope you have better success this year with your gardens. sfg is a great way to go so i'm so glad you're giving it another chance.

glad you're here!

WardinWake wrote:Hay North Florida Guy:

Where do you call home? Originally I am from Macclenny in Baker County. Mom, Dad, sister and one brother are still there.

You are right about dollar weed. Easy to get and hard to get rid of.

God Bless, Ward.

Ward, Yulee/Fernandina beach here, not too far from Macclenny.
Originally I'm from Northeast Pennsylvania.