Tx_Woman

This is part of the deck where I had the herb boxes.

Ahh, I didn't even think of grits. Will that hurt birds at all? I have tons of birds (plenty of birdfeeders!) I am trying to upload some pics too........got one to go, but getting internal server errors on the others. Will keep trying tho!!

Well, here it is mid-June, and so far, my sfg is not doing well at all. I had 2 2x2 herb boxes and found that one was being taken over by ants. I used the mix precisely as the book says and most of my herbs never grew, and dried up. The owner of the nursery I took several "samples" to says they weren't getting enough water. I watered every other day, then every day when it got warmer...........I ripped out the herbs and emptied the boxes (saving the soil, gosh I spent alot on it). I was able to save about 3 herbs to see if they will do in plastic containers. I also began fertilziing (even tho the book says you don't have to - seems like everything liked the liquid fert i gave them). I have several topsy turvies and lots of containers. Once I moved the cucumber, squash and zuchinni out into full sun, they seem like they are maybe now starting to grow. I have only one tomato on a vine so far. I am noticing ants are crawling around everywhere, and the nursery guy said I do not have an aphid problem. I also have quite a bit of those little gray mushrooms growing in the topsy turvy's and some of my containers. Anybody know a good organic way to help with ants and mushrooms? I'm in the NE Texas area, so it's been humid and hot here.........so frustrating as I was hoping to get at least some food this year. I am planning on building a new 4x4 box, above ground and deeper than 6". Maybe use 2x10's and use the soil deeper, with a deep mulch. I'll start over and try again for fall crops. I just need to get the ants solved - i've got some "cutter brand" spray and will use that on the deck and patio lightly, but I have tons of birds that visit the yard, and several toads that I don't want to harm. I don't want to give up on the SFG method either so try, try again!

I am doing square foot gardening this year too! My first time and I've followed Mel's book pretty much exactly EXCEPT for location. One thing I have now learned (already) is that my in-ground boxes aren't getting nearly enough sunlight. I built 2 2x2 boxes that have my herbs, and built a 2x4 bench to set them on. I have a 4x4, and 2 3x3's in the ground. My beans are doing ok, and the sugar snaps seem alright, but nothing else looks good. Radishes didn't produce radishes either. I'm planning on building 2 more 2x4 bench-style beds and will shovel that good dirt into those, and replant. At least they will be move-able, and I can place them wherever needed. The herb boxes are in sun all day and seem to be doing much better. Gotta love his soil mix, I just love running my hands thru it.

I am new here but this is sort of a topic near and dear to me......I'm a huge Dave Ramsey freak and got on board with his baby steps plan a couple of years ago. It really works, I am proof......I got "gazelle", as he puts it, and paid off all debts and now I don't owe anyone a dime. The tremendous freeing power from this is amazing. I have been doing a few things i've wanted, and now i'm back in gazelle mode and trying to live as scimpy and cheap a lifestyle as possible. I have started getting some items for storage/bulk etc. now for emergency situations. By not owing anyone anything, it frees up your money so you can happen to it, not it happen to you! It's hard work, but well worth it. My advice would be to pay off debts first, then work on these extra things. I know easier said than done, it hurts at first, but it really is like a snow-ball - it picks up speed the further along you get. I wouldn't get terribly paranoid about having to have things now now now, altho i'm guilty of that feeling myself, but do the best you can with what the good Lord has given and he'll keep you in times of trouble.