skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

First year SFG! Soil help?

vivisgarden (7b)

7 years ago

I started gardening last year with the traditional row design but I ended up reading about SFG and the soilless mix/no need to fertilize piqued my interest! I'm trying to plan for my cost and sources of vermiculite, compost, and coconut coir (which I've heard is a good sub for peat and I'd prefer it due to the peat mining sources).

I'm planning for 4 4'x4'x8'' beds which would be around 15 (rounded up) ft. cu of each material and by normal commercial sizes it's getting kind of pricey.

Does anyone know any good bulk sources for the materials? I'm also having a hard time finding 5 different sources of decent compost.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

digdirt2
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Here is a link to the Sq. Foot Gardening forum here. They will be the best source of info for you as it is such a unique form of gardening. As for bulk sources, they would need to be local to you to get bulk amounts so be sure to include your specific location.

Dave

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/sqfoot
vivisgarden (7b)
Original Author
7 years ago
I actually posted there first but there didn't seem to be as much activity so I figured I'd try the general veggie garden forum. Hope they reply!
Related Discussions
swc and sfg - first time veggie grower, advice please?
Q
Comments (7)
Well, the SFG and SWCs will all be placed on concrete. We have a huge expanse of concrete on one side of our house (the previous owner ran a taxi company out of the house). Its great because we build and race cars, so we have plenty of room to store and work on them. We do still have plenty of yard, but most of it is shaded, so I'm doing the containers on the side of the house that has the most sun and it happens to be paved. So I'd imagine that would make a difference on the Nematodes. I'm starting some seeds this week, and my parents will be down MLK weekend to help me build the containers... I'm hoping to get an early start on some of the things that can't take our heat. Plus, the 5 gallon SWCs should be movable if needed so I can protect them if it gets too cold. I will also be companion planting as much as possible with the SFG so I can use the least amount of chemicals for pest control etc. Thanks for all the responses!
...See More
Our first SFG
Q
Comments (75)
I've pulled most of my lettuces out as several have bolted to seed. The swiss chard seems to be holding on. I'm also about to severely trim down my mint and basil to get a nice regrowth going through the summer. LOTS of tomatoes coming in. The zucchini plant has a fruit ready to be picked tomorrow for dinner and I have one tomato that will probably get picked tomorrow as well I just trellised my cucumbers (laziness on my part) and it looks like I have a few fruits starting up. Lots of flowers not getting fertilized which has surprised me because it's down in the backyard with the zucchini and not on the porch with the planter boxes (less bugs up here) Also, if anyone can tell me what that red bug is I'd be appreciative. So far they don't seem to be doing anything but hanging out on a few plants but I'd like to know for sure. Here is a link that might be useful: SFG as of 6/30/04
...See More
First year trying SFG
Q
Comments (2)
Amy...I think you should expect a lot...although earlier post mentions tomato tone or bloodmeal to be used on first year tomoato plants, I have never had to do that. All I used was straight mels mix-never used fertilizer and have never had to use pesticides/fungicides...I have attached pictures where I have added a lot of comments that might be helpful, who whose...give a look... http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm14/snobblet/
...See More
help!!! first year sfg and i need advice!!!!
Q
Comments (5)
me,cuz they only put on the label what is so much of this and that, HELLOOOOOOOO!!!!! what if its gonna kill my baby's???? i know soap and oil and water won't, LOL i know, i'm a little ( and that's putting it nicely LOL) about the insectisides, but i worry, i think it was the cat collar that threw one of my cats into a seizure for a few hourse, nothing the vet could do, and it was the right age for it. so i freak. LOL ~Medo
...See More
rgreen48
7 years ago
Are you sold on the mix? There are many options that exist for raised beds. I do in-ground beds just using heavily amended (necessary for my conditions) native soil. It's free! The techniques are very similar to, about the same as, sq. ft. gardening. I guess what I'm suggesting is that you can get the benefit of the bed vs. rows without the downsides of the mix you're looking at. Do a bit more research, and maybe post on the Soil, Compost and Mulch forum.
digdirt2
7 years ago
Even if you don't get an answer to your post right a way there is still a lot of good reading to do on that forum. Things like the problems with Mel's mix (several), is it true you don't have to fertilize (no), are there better mixes to use (yes), does coir work as well as peat Maybe/maybe not), etc. The search on that forum will bring up many previous discussions on just about any question you have.

Dave
defrost49
7 years ago
I was shocked at the price of coir at our local farm and feed store. I know it is popular for growing hot peppers but I think I'll pass. Years ago, I did my first raised bed using the directions from the first Square Foot Gardening book. But now I have a much larger vegetable garden and use lasagna methods instead. Here in NH, NOFA does a bulk order program early in the year (pickup was mid-March). Vermiculite 6 cubic ft bags were $37. I've always figured the bulk order program was my least expensive source of garden fertilizers and soils. Coir was not on the list.

Related Stories

CONTAINER GARDENS Container Gardening Basics: The Dirt on Soil

Learn the types of potting soil available and the best mixes to help your containers thrive

GARDENING GUIDES Gardening Solutions for Heavy Clay Soils

By Falon Mihalic

What’s a gardener to do with soil that’s easily compacted and has poor drainage? Find out here

GARDENING GUIDES The Poop Scoop: Enrich Your Soil With Good Old Manure

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Get over the ick factor already — this natural super-ingredient for soil has so many benefits, you'll wonder why you ever went chemical

GARDENING GUIDES How to Pick a Mulch — and Why Your Soil Wants It

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

There's more to topdressing than shredded wood. Learn about mulch types, costs and design considerations here

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Solutions for Soggy Soil

By Steve Asbell

If a too-wet garden is raining on your parade, try these water-loving plants and other ideas for handling all of that H2O

GARDENING GUIDES Grow a Beautiful Garden in Alkaline Soil

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Got alkaline soil? Learn how to manage it and the many beautiful plants that will thrive in this ‘sweet’ soil

GARDENING GUIDES How to Stop Worrying and Start Loving Clay Soil

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Clay has many more benefits than you might imagine

FARM YOUR YARD How to Get Good Soil for Your Edible Garden

By Abundant City

The nutrients in your soil feed the plants that feed you. Here are tips on getting it right — just in time for planting season

GARDENING GUIDES What to Do This Fall to Build Healthy Garden Soil

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Take advantage of the cool season to improve soil texture and replenish nutrients

GARDENING GUIDES Gardening Solutions for Dry, Sandy Soils

By Falon Mihalic

Has your desert or beachy site withered your gardening creativity? Try these ideas for a beautiful, easy-care landscape

Sponsored

Nova Design Build

Custom Premiere Design-Build Contractor | Hilliard, OH

More Discussions

Do carpenter bee traps work?

7

How often to add soil sulfur?

5

Al's Potting Mix-pine bark fines

6

Corn seeds during a frost?

15

Potato mold, disease or fungus?

15