Another Newbie in Tampa Florida

kimmykim 1/22/2012, 6:53 pm

I am considering starting sq ft gardening and looking very forward to it. My space is very limited so this method seems to be my best option.

I joined the forum in hopes of getting ideas, look at photos and always open to advice.

One question has already been answered...I can purchase wood from Home Depot to build my container. Good!~

Has anyone ever used Trex instead of wood? I sent the TREX company an email asking and they stated that their product was safe for vegetables. They said that their product was safe for such.

I will not be able to start my garden until late Feburary since I am currently out of town.

**Furbalsmom** 1/22/2012, 7:24 pm

kimmykim

Very nice to have you join us. Have you had an opportunity to read ALL NEW SQUARE FOOT GARDENING? It is a great book, full of lots of simple instructions and very easy to read. If you have not yet read the book, please obtain a copy and read it before you build or fill your beds. Another thing to read before filling your boxes is click on this >> MELS MIX .

SFG is a method that is based on raised beds, Mel's Mix and grids. It is very efficient for the space used and once the beds are made and filled with MM, there is a lot less maintenance, water and weeding required than traditional row gardens.

My SFG beds are made of untreated cedar, which is plentiful here in the PNW. Cedar is also fairly sturdy and long lasting. I was fortunate to have access to some "scrap" cedar 2" X 10" and 2" X 8". I have no experience with the TREX products.

Again, Welcome and once you are back home and ready to start, be sure you keep us updated on your progress.

CaptainKidney 1/23/2012, 9:36 am

KimmyKim,

I live just west of you in Dunedin. One of the things we have to be aware of is how hot the summers get down here. Right now, I have five tomato plants that are giving me all of the fresh tomatoes we can eat. I found that many of the veggies grow in the winter instead of summer. I will be looking into some shade cloth later this summer to ease the heat.

Mike

kimmykim 1/23/2012, 1:16 pm

Thank you for the advise! I will purchase and read the book...it will give me something to do in the evenings while I am away from home.

I used to have a large garden in Ohio and enjoyed it so much. Now that I am back in my homeland, I am hoping that the weather permits me to grow the majority of the year.

I am also plan to purchase a Vitamix machine and get really creative with my harvest. I am sooo excited. I will post photos as I go along.

kimmykim 1/23/2012, 1:22 pm

Great to know. I would love to see your garden, if possible. I would like to ask you about the different foods you grown and what time of year.

Kim

ksbmom 1/23/2012, 3:11 pm

Welcome kimmykim! Another Newbie in Tampa Florida 396615

I'm in the North Tampa area (Lutz). I'm with Captain Kidney - I have a tomato plant going nuts right now - my son counted 50 tomatoes on it! Come July, though, not much is going to grow. And it's so hot and humid, you won't want to be out in the garden. Glad to have you on the forum!

plantoid 1/23/2012, 6:54 pm

Hi KimmyKim,
I feel you will enjoy reading the all new square foot gardening book as it turns much of the older established ideas about gardening on it's head .

Fortunately unlike most " Complete how to garden books " this ANSFG actually works & works very well ..... if you let it .
I look forward to your posts and any pictures that you decide to put on the threads .

Tip.
Perhaps read the book several times to get the idea of what it is all about firmly set in your mind .
That way you won't make expensive mistakes like several members did .. me included Embarassed

nor will you struggle with seed sowings or planting.

All the best

David

Chopper 1/23/2012, 7:24 pm

kimmykim wrote:

Has anyone ever used Trex instead of wood? I sent the TREX company an email asking and they stated that their product was safe for vegetables. They said that their product was safe for such.
.

If they say it is safe for veggies I assume it is. I have never heard of trex. Is it a plastic? Or a wood product?

I looked it up and it looks like that is where our recycled plastic goes along with wood waste and sawdust. Their web page was not super helpful if you are looking for anything but a deck. Looks like it lasts a long time though.

**llama momma** 1/24/2012, 4:03 am

I have a Trex floor on my deck and aware of its wood and plastic content. There has been controversy and lawsuits re: durability from warping and fading. But for gardening purposes I would ask what in the world is used to hold wood, sawdust, and plastic together and can it leach into my food? I suspect the components are bonded with a chemical that can withstand heat, cold, rain, snow, ice, and sun. I wouldn't use it. I use untreatd wood with the idea that when it rots it will be replaced with more untreated wood.

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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.