kgs
newbie
Posts: 10
Reg: 06-07-06
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01-17-12 03:28 PM - Post#144294
I'm reading the Square Foot Gardening book now and am about to dive in and start creating my first bed. Has anyone had any luck finding the soil ingredients locally for the recommended Mel's mix that he discusses in the book? I'd love to know where to go! Also, has anyone tried SQF? I'm very interested to hear how well it worked for you.
Thanks!
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javaprincess
member
Posts: 65
Reg: 06-01-10
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01-18-12 10:24 AM - Post#144326
In response to kgs
Denisew is our gardening expert here. She had a post a couple of years ago regarding this.
http://www.allenonline.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?...
I was going to start building my backyard garden this year, after growing tomatoes at my patio the last couple of years, but with the drought going on and stage 4 water restriction being discussed, I am not sure I was to start the project this year.
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kgs
newbie
Posts: 10
Reg: 06-07-06
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01-18-12 01:02 PM - Post#144330
In response to javaprincess
Thank you so much. That post did help me.
Edited by kgs on 01-18-12 01:03 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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BrianGallimore
member
Posts: 82
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 04-25-07
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03-14-12 09:41 AM - Post#146594
In response to kgs
I mostly agree with Denise on the soil question. In the Citizen Gardener classes, we recommend against using Mel's Mix. Instead, use some good prepared soil purchased from a local expert who understands what 'good soil' is. Lot of opinion on soils for sure! Here is a decent discussion on the subject: http://northtexasvegetabl egardeners.com/forum/inde...
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8759
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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03-16-12 06:58 PM - Post#146690
In response to BrianGallimore
I just added a third 4x4 garden plot this week. I have lots of vegetables planted and am looking forward to a great harvest! I bought the expanded shale at Puckett's Nursery here in Allen. The big box stores don't have it - at least I didn't see it the last time I was there.
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BrianGallimore
member
Posts: 82
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 04-25-07
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03-19-12 10:39 AM - Post#146752
In response to denisew
Denise, it seems like no one else in the country has heard about expanded shale. Do you have experience / opinion about if it is helpful? I have a 30% suspicion that it doesn’t really do much to help anything…. Looking for some feedback. I bought a few bags to mix in with one of my beds, but haven’t done it yet.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8759
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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03-19-12 11:42 AM - Post#146763
In response to BrianGallimore
I have used it in one ornamental bed and it does seem to help with drainage. It is in each of the square foot vegetable plots I have too. First, let me explain what it is for those who don't know . . . It is little bits of shale that are heated to a very high temperature and they expand kind of like when you make popcorn. The heat makes them porous and allows air and water into the soil when mixed into a garden bed. It does not have any nutritional content, so that is why you still need to add compost. When using it in a square foot garden, the rule of thumb is to add a scoop or two of compost each time you plant something in a square foot to rejuvenate the soil mix. The expanded shale helps keep the soil loose and workable. Here is an article from the Aggie Horticulture website (from 2003) that explains how and why to use expanded shale. It was still fairly new at that time and has proven to be helpful in keeping our clay soil more friable. http://aggie-horticulture .tamu.edu/newsletters/hor...
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kgs
newbie
Posts: 10
Reg: 06-07-06
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03-23-12 04:37 PM - Post#146987
In response to denisew
Thank you for all the information. I did find the vermiculite at Lowe's. I called around, and it seems you can only buy it in small (8 qt) or large (4 cf) sizes. Since I'm only doing a small plot, I had to buy it in the 8 qt. size, which meant it was fairly expensive. I sure hope it's worth it!
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8759
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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03-23-12 09:20 PM - Post#146995
In response to kgs
A 40 pound bag of expanded shale is $9.99 at Puckett's Nursery. I'm curious how much you spent on the vermiculite. How much was one bag and how many bags did you have to get? For one of my 4'x4' plots, I only need two bags of the expanded shale.
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BrianGallimore
member
Posts: 82
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 04-25-07
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03-26-12 01:36 PM - Post#147081
In response to denisew
You can get monster bags of vermiculite at Wells Bros in Plano. I think they are $20. I like to use course vermiculite for planting seeds in the soil. It marks where the seed is, retains moisture, and I think it fools the birds so they don't eat the seed.
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kgs
newbie
Posts: 10
Reg: 06-07-06
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03-27-12 03:29 PM - Post#147147
In response to BrianGallimore
I called EVERYWHERE to compare prices on the vermiculite. Lowe's sold the 8 qt. bag for $5. That was the cheapest I found in that size. It was $7-$8 at Puckett's and Wells Bros. Puckett's and Wells Bros. also sold it in a 4 cf. size for around $29.
Since this is my first veggie garden, I didn't want to get in over my head. So I build just a 2x4 bed (instead of the standard 4x4 that the SFG book focuses on). The box is built, the Mel's mix is in it, and we're planting the veggies tomorrow. Fingers crossed. :) THANK YOU all for your help. I'm sure I'll be asking for more along the way.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8759
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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03-27-12 07:44 PM - Post#147160
In response to kgs
Good luck! I think you'll find using the square foot gardening method is quite easy and rewarding and you will want to build more!
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kgs
newbie
Posts: 10
Reg: 06-07-06
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03-27-12 09:07 PM - Post#147162
In response to denisew
THANK YOU! That's my plan; if this is successful, I'll build more boxes. :) I've always wanted to do this, and now that I have a 2-year-old daughter, I'm finally doing it. I believe there's a lot that she can learn from having a garden. So, tomorrow is planting day with her and her two cousins!
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BrianGallimore
member
Posts: 82
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 04-25-07
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03-28-12 10:53 AM - Post#147178
In response to kgs
I would love to see a few pictures of your new garden! (good place to upload would be http://northtexasvegetabl egardeners.com/forum/inde... or https://www.facebook.com/groups/58399429851/)
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kgs
newbie
Posts: 10
Reg: 06-07-06
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03-28-12 11:05 AM - Post#147180
In response to BrianGallimore
Thank you! That was me who just joined your FB group. Looks like an awesome place to learn and share.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8759
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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03-29-12 02:48 PM - Post#147258
In response to kgs
There are so many fun things you can do for kids in the garden. My favorite two are planting sunflowers in a bug U shape so there is a little area to play in the center or get some really long bamboo poles or other supports and put them up like a tee-pee with an opening and plat vines such as morning glory, cypress vine or hyacinth bean vine.
Of course planting a vegetable garden where your toddler can eat what is grown is a lot of fun too. My oldest son used to love eating the cherry tomatoes right off the vine. He is now 18 and still loves eating them.
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