Square Foot Gardening – Making the SFG Grid and Planting Vegetables
John from www.growingyourgreens.com shows you how to make an long-lasting grid out of stainless steel wire for your raised bed garden. He also shows you planning and planting out his front raised bed with plants such as strawberry spinach, okra, peppers, purslane, eggplant, west indian gherkins and mexican sour gherkins.
24 Responses to Square Foot Gardening – Making the SFG Grid and Planting Vegetables
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@growingyourgreens I’m in the same boat as Richard. Mel’s Mix is expensive. Even making it myself it is about $12 a sq. ft.
So please tell us your honest opinion. Do you think the mix is overkill? Have you considered using it? Some people say that peat moss shouldn’t be used because it is not a renewable resource, and the vermiculite is only to retain water.
If using compost and rock dust is all I need, I really don’t want to spend the extra money.
Maybe you should make a video about this.
annepgunther
January 11, 2012 at 10:15 am
John who is the person behind the camera all the time.?????????
sefirkus01
January 11, 2012 at 11:13 am
I always love watching johns vids. He is such an insperation.
zekehooper
January 11, 2012 at 11:42 am
This totally awesome, and looks even better in real life! I was just there today!
nathanmjns
January 11, 2012 at 12:16 pm
hey! we used stainless steel wire to grid ours out this year as well. I like using it because it is very neat and it doesn’t interfere with growth whatsoever. we also wound the wire around screws. and I play with the wires like an instrument like you did too while setting it up LOL! we may be half a continent apart, but yet we do the same things ~Amanda
GettingThereGreen
January 11, 2012 at 12:29 pm
John I live in central Ca and this year I am trying over 50 types of heirloom tomatoes and the Black Sea Man is the earliest and most delicious variety so far . Check it out.
jakearick
January 11, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Great idea with the stainless steel wire. I use a collapsible/foldable grid that I got the idea from MichiganSnowPony. I rare have to use it but what I like is that it never gets in my way since it doesn’t stay on the beds and I can use it anywhere.
VivianRinSC
January 11, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Great Vid, John.
ElShadaiLives
January 11, 2012 at 2:16 pm
@mchlmrtz Minerals? Sea water works great!
ElShadaiLives
January 11, 2012 at 2:34 pm
@mchlmrtz Urine works to but research it online 1st.
ElShadaiLives
January 11, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@MrTerrym1964 John, one more thing, as my garden is in full swing, can I just broadcast the rock dust over the top of my triple mix and water it in? Thanks again John.
Terry
MrTerrym1964
January 11, 2012 at 3:30 pm
John,
I just found it! Thanks a million, I am going to pick it up tomorrow morning. After your reply I googled gaiagreen and found a supplier named GROWERS CHOICE HYDROPONICS. Wow, thanks again John, you rock….pardon the pun.
Terry
MrTerrym1964
January 11, 2012 at 4:25 pm
John,
I just found it! Thanks a million, I am going to pick it up tomorrow morning. After your reply I googled gaiagreen and found a supplier named GROWERS CHOICE HYDROPONICS. Wow, thanks again John, you rock….pardon the pun.
Terry
MrTerrym1964
January 11, 2012 at 5:19 pm
should be easy to find in Ontario. The Gaia Green Glacial rock dust I buy in California is IMPORTED from Canada.. Try gaiagreen. c o m and do a search for stores in Ontario to find a place near you that carries Gaia Green. They can order the rock dust
growingyourgreens
January 11, 2012 at 5:53 pm
Hi John,
Great info like usual! I am getting frustrated trying to find rock dust up here in Ontario, Canada. Everyone I ask at different garden centres look at me like I’m from Mars? Anyway I thought you might like to see how my square foot garden is coming along…Take care John and like always I look forward to your videos!
Terry
MrTerrym1964
January 11, 2012 at 6:19 pm
Kewl stuff comrade!
jhi1947
January 11, 2012 at 7:11 pm
I think mels mix is a “good” mix. I saw it at lowes the other day, it was like $10 a bag! WOAH!! It may be good, but not $10 Good for a few cubic feet. My compost is $21 for a cubic yard. add a bag of rock dust to that cubic yard for $15, and I have $36 for 27 cubic feet. I would say find a locally produced organic compost (call a garden center) or make “your own mix” using rock dust, a good compost, vermiculite and peat moss. Experiment to find out what works best!
growingyourgreens
January 11, 2012 at 8:05 pm
The square foot garden method absolutely works!!! Good video John!
leasmom96
January 11, 2012 at 8:28 pm
@growingyourgreens It could also be from over watering. Nitrogen is easy to add to the garden. Just toss in used coffee grounds.
mchlmrtz
January 11, 2012 at 9:24 pm
Great vid John. Thanks!
I recently started a SFG, and got the bug by watching your videos. Now my backyard has 15 raised beds. In Spring I’m converting the front yard .
The biggest obstacles for expansion has been the VERY expensive Mel’s Mix. Is this a factor in your not using it? Your compost and rock dust obviously work great, but what is your opinion the mix? Is it inferior to what you do?
If you are ever in Atlanta I would love to get your advice for the front yard (I’ll buy you dinner).
BrotherRichardH
January 11, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Yes, I have two part time gardeners that help me in my garden.
growingyourgreens
January 11, 2012 at 10:50 pm
Yellowing can be a sign of not enough nitrogen in the soil. When I had this problem, I did a 1) a soil test. Found out the nitrogen was low. 2) sprayed on a liquid fertilizer (Organic hydroponic solutions), which fixxed the problem..
growingyourgreens
January 11, 2012 at 11:27 pm
Hey John… I planted a 4 x 8 sq ft garden this year and used “Mel’s Mix” for the soil.
My problem is that all of my leaves are turning yellow and the plants don’t seem to be growing very fast. Other vegetables I have planted elsewhere are now double or triple the size. I tried adding some organic fertilizer,but I see no improvement.
Any ideas?
updownjim
January 11, 2012 at 11:54 pm
John, you have helpers in your garden? Are they your employees?
OS253
January 12, 2012 at 12:02 am