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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.

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Square Foot Gardening Forum
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Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Toplef10Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum 1zd3ho10

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.

Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum I22gcj10Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum 14dhcg10

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Current date/time is 3/28/2024, 5:52 pm

Search found 10 matches for 4

Hello from Aylett, VA

markqz wrote:. . .
  1. High energy - make compost
  2. Medium energy: Maintain gardens
  3. Low Energy: Start plants
  4. Low, low Energy: Post in forum

For some reason, I seem to be at #4 a lot Wink

Happy gardening!
lol!
by sanderson
on 6/30/2023, 12:06 am
 
Search in:  Introduce Yourself
Topic: Hello from Aylett, VA
Replies: 3
Views: 192

Hello from the north end of the Bitterroot Valley, Montana

Traveler's Rest,  Welcome to the Forum from California. glad you\'re here

The 11" beds don't have to be filled to the top.  If you have 3" of native topsoil, You can top with 6-7" of Mel's Mix and call it good.

Peat moss fluffs an extra 50%.  So, a 3 cu. ft. bag = 4/5 cu. ft.

Coarse or super coarse Vermiculte can be ordered online. Greenhouse megastore, Uline (Gradee #4), Farm Tek, AM Leonard.

I'm guessing that the local compost is relatively cheap.  Do yet the finely screened compost. You can start off with that as the bulk of the "compost part.  You can add composted cow or chicken manure and mushroom compost IF they didn't add anything to it. Next year you can worry about adding different real composts. Just get started this year. 

Worms - The worms that feed off veggie scraps are the little red wiggler (Eisenia fetida).  They stay close to the surface and I don't know if they would survive your winters.  You can set up a system in a protected area that doesn't freeze.  There are ideas online about making systems from storage totes or 5-gallon buckets, or buying a ready-made system.  You can then added the worm castings as you harvest the castings.  https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/search?search_keywords=red+wigglers&typerecherche=interne&show_results=topics

At your latitude, your growing season is short but powerful.  You can extend your season with a greenhouse.  Would your landlord allow structures that are set on the ground on cement blocks?  https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/f16-western-mountains-high-plains

Turan used to be your Regional Host and I think you would enjoy her thread:  https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t20520-turan-in-the-western-mountains

So, no fences. But does that mean no 1" PVC frame or wood frame over just the garden area?  You can cover with 1/4" hardware cloth on the sides and top to keep out the grasshoppers.  But, covering the garden with hardware cloth or insect netting means the pollinators can't get to the squash, melon or cucumber flower for pollination.

Deer control can be PVC fences with no safe landing spot inside.
With 3' wide beds, you would need to have a bare minimum of 2' aisle between the beds and the fencing. Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Critte10
by sanderson
on 3/13/2023, 5:05 am
 
Search in:  Introduce Yourself
Topic: Hello from the north end of the Bitterroot Valley, Montana
Replies: 3
Views: 431

Renewing Mel's Mix

Anne, at this time, vermiculite is being ordered online.  AM Leonard, Uline #4 (minimum of 2 bags), PVPInd coarse or super coarse through Farm Tek (minimum of 1 bag), Greenhouse Megastore.

I have an experimental bed on the ground with 1/2" "cementy" cement board as the bottom.  It comes in 3' x 5' sheets so that determines the size of the bed.  Or, else sections would need to be taped together for larger beds.  After 3 years, no root invasion from the Italian cypress trees 1-2' away.

Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Cement11Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Cement12
by sanderson
on 3/10/2023, 4:50 pm
 
Search in:  
Topic: Renewing Mel's Mix
Replies: 6
Views: 483

Hi everyone, from Cocoa, FL

T0beus, Welcome to the Forum from California. glad you\'re here

Uline also carries coarse (#3) and super coarse (#4) vermiculite with a minimum order of 2 4-cu ft bags.
by sanderson
on 2/24/2023, 2:11 pm
 
Search in:  Introduce Yourself
Topic: Hi everyone, from Cocoa, FL
Replies: 3
Views: 244

Butterfly Junction

Turan wrote:I think I see some version of earthboxes in your future.  I bet the different balconies have different amounts of light and so could grow different types of salad bar type stuff.  "Honey, could you run over to balcony #3 to get me a handful of lettuce and come back via balcony #5 for a couple cherry tomatoes? O, and the dill on balcony #4 is perfect now, get some of that too. Thanks!"  Laughing

Congratulations on your new spread!
Razz Mel encouraged beds close to the house!
by sanderson
on 7/1/2018, 7:07 pm
 
Search in: Showcase of Gardens
Topic: Butterfly Junction
Replies: 944
Views: 19095

Fourth Year SFG in Canada

Trying to resurrect the squash that appeared to be destroyed recently by a critter. The main stem was hanging by a thread on both plants. I covered the main stems with compost. I have surrounded the bottom part of this leg of the u-bed with plastic netting which seems to be working so far. Of the two plants the Tromboncino Squash appears to have a better chance of recovery than the more severely damaged Canada Crookneck Squash. 
Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Img_2061

Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Img_2062



Another bowl (#4 I think) of strawberries and plenty more on the plants.
Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Img_2064

Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Img_2063



Tomatoes are forming on several tomato plants.
Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Img_2065



Golden Zucchini getting lots of flowers and small zucchinis.
Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Img_2066



Borage is starting to flower.
Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Img_2067



This pretty Alyssum Crystal Purple was started from seed indoors.
Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Img_2069



Peas are reaching for the sky.
Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Img_2070



Carrots germinating in the top hat.
Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Img_2072



Chinese 5 Color Pepper (hot).
Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Img_2071



This Lobelia (started indoors from seed) is thriving in the side of one of the straw bales.
Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Img_2073
by trolleydriver
on 6/28/2018, 5:04 pm
 
Search in: Canada
Topic: Fourth Year SFG in Canada
Replies: 644
Views: 11996

California - What are you doing this month?

Ever write a reply, complete with photos, and forget to send or save draft? Shocked  So here goes another try.

I emptied Tumbler batch #3 this evening after 21 days and I am very happy.  It smells good and the only lumps are actual horse pucks that didn't break up.  Only 101*F at 6:30*F.  Tumbler batch #4 will be built tomorrow after Ken mows the new bedding straw and I cut up five 5-gallon buckets of tonight's haul of culls from the Farmers' Market.  I've already done the Starbuck's puck dance.   happy banana  Expected 104*F tomorrow.   pale  Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Compos17
Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Compos19

Compare to lumpy #2 after 35 days. Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Compos18
by sanderson
on 8/26/2017, 12:57 am
 
Search in: Northern California & Coastal Valleys
Topic: California - What are you doing this month?
Replies: 529
Views: 12641

Tips for compost tumbler

trolleydriver wrote:And if that does not work this thing may find itself advertised on kijiji.

Razz  I know how you feel.  My Tumbler #1 stuff that was a bust is stored in the holey 33-gallon can.  Just siting there. tongue I hope #4 turns out as good as lumpy #2 and less-lumpy #3.
by sanderson
on 8/25/2017, 7:17 pm
 
Search in:  
Topic: Tips for compost tumbler
Replies: 166
Views: 13362

Compost Tumblers-Ideas for gleaning

Here's one that I made

Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Dscn2310

Some factors to consider before making one:

The volume of the finished compost is relatively small.  A full 55 gallon barrel is about 7-8 cubic feet.  Finished compost will be 2-4 cubic feet, which is about enough to make MM for one 4x4 box.

Compost breaks down OK in warmer weather, but I get better results in cold weather from small piles on the ground.

Be sure to use some sort of flange.
Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Screen13


Make the access door as wide as possible.  When unloading, you'll be reaching in with hand or trowel to get the compost from the ends of the barrel.  The wider the door, the easier to unload.

Try to put something on the inside to help break up the big clumps of compost.  I made paddles, but 2x2s or PVC pipe fastened on the inside will do the same thing.
Topics tagged under 4 on Square Foot Gardening Forum Dscn2312

A barrel full of properly moistened compost is heavy.  Surprisingly heavy.  Choose a way to make turning the barrel easier, with handles or a hand crank as shown in the second video.  Goosegirl made a barrel similar to #4; I  got the handle idea from her; it makes turning the barrel a piece of cake.

I can't say a metal barrel is better than plastic; I just happened to have the frame and a metal barrel on hand to use.  I considered a motor to turn the barrel, but decided it's not worth the time and money for as seldom as it is  used.  

A compost tumbler makes a great MM mixer.  One 5 gallon bucket each of compost, peat, and vermiculite twirled 10x or so, then dumped into a wheelbarrow.  It doesn't get any easier.

I used my tumbler a couple years and then retired it.  Piles on the ground work just fine for my circumstances.  If anyone wants it, come and get it.
by boffer
on 1/16/2016, 2:20 pm
 
Search in: Do It Yourself
Topic: Compost Tumblers-Ideas for gleaning
Replies: 21
Views: 2012

Compost: Berkeley 18 day [hot] method

Plantoid just mentioned this hot, quick method for making compost in another topic "Fertilizer in Bagged Mix."

I think the Berkeley method is a great way to quickly make your own compost, although I have never been able to make it in 18 days.  My fault for not turning it every 2 days.  I started daily recordings this year.  Pile #4 was started April 7 this spring and was finished in 27 days, then rested a week, for a total of 34 days.  It was turned a total of 7 times.  Pile #5 was started June 29, finished in 36 days and turned 8 times, then used on day 40.  The current pile #6 was started August 10 and turned 4 times so far.  I estimate it will be finished in 30 days, then rested a week.  So, up to 40 days from start to finish seems to be my pattern.  I will build one more, #7, in September.  I finally feel a lessening of the panic I've had, since I started SFG 1 1/2 years ago, that I don't have enough compost for making more MM and recharging used beds.  I should have a full bin volume (27 cu ft) of ready-to-use compost come next spring.

The cage is 3' x 3' x 3' inner dimensions, the minimum mass for hot or "hottie" compost.  The final volume is about 1/2, or 13 1/2 cubic feet.
by sanderson
on 8/27/2014, 4:20 am
 
Search in:  
Topic: Compost: Berkeley 18 day [hot] method
Replies: 399
Views: 14196

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