 |
Book is very informative, yet concepts presented in easy to understand format--many pictures to illustrate. I have a huge garden which I have put a lot of time into over the years. Living in AZ, if you do not get everything right (especially the watering and weed/grass control) it is tough to get through to harvest time, especially in the summer. We have built block planters (closed bottom with drip water system on a timer) and are ready now to try again. Obtaining the ingredients for Mel's Mix in bulk was a challenge. Decided to substitute coconut coir for most of the peat moss (more renewable). Found a great soil mix at Western Organics (Gro Well Brands) in Phoenix that had most of what I wanted for $32.50/Yd called their Premium Potting Soil. It contains compost, humus (earthworm castings), bark fine, lava rock sand (very light) and some vermiculite (close to 5%). I ordered some 4 cu ft bags of vermiculite to add into it (greenhousemegastore) 6 bags for $41 plus shipping--ended up being way less expensive than anything I could find locally. Our local Summer Winds Nursery had the coconut coir blocks (11 lb. block for $12). I found it online for $10 (after hours of searching) but add the shipping and you are close to $20/block. A block expands to 2.5 cu ft. Can't wait to get started!Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I bought this book about 3 weeks ago, and it inspired me enough that we have built three of these little gardens since. The author is a little overbearing as in "you have to have a grid" to call it a Square Foot Garden, but I like his ideas about using a raised box, keeping it small enough to work from any side, mixing our own soil, and planting close together. I love his planting charts, so that I know how many plants will fit in each square. Mel's soil mix is made from compost, peat moss, and vermiculite. I could not find large bags of vermiculite, so we used fewer and smaller bags of perlite, so our soil mix isn't exactly the same. I think we could have used the Miracle Grow soil and achieved similar results. We don't have much sunny, flat space for gardens, and our clay soil is so awful that we had previously given up on growing any of our own vegetables, especially root vegetables like beets and radishes. Even the local farmers' markets don't ever offer root crops. Things are starting to sprout, and I am optimistic about my tiny gardens. Now I want to get some compost bins started -- I'm just looking for a place to put them.Read full review
I plan to garden next spring and this book came highly recommended as a newer version with photos and helpful tips by a family member who had used it previously. I have glossed through it quickly and it looks like it will be insightful in my gardening endeavors. I am happy with the content and hope to see rewarding fruits from my labors...that's my hope. =)
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Want to get into gardening, but really aren't a gardener? This might be the book you want. written by an engineer that wanted to say time and energy but still get great result. this book offers a simple method to get your hands dirty and grow some plants.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
For years we've had the big, row-style garden. Each year borrowing a tiller and setting aside at least a weekend for tilling, planting, etc. We'd string two hoses together to make them long enough to reach the garden (the only spot large enough). With babies and surgeries, we weren't sure it was worth the effort. Then I read about square foot gardening. I read other reviews and really pondered it and figured I wouldn't have anything to lose buying the book. So we purchased the book and it was so easy to read! It was well organized and used "real" language. We decided to follow his advice and start small. We built one 4 x 4 box and mixed soil (we did not follow his exact advice this year regarding three-part mix) and planted. Then there was a late froze, so we had to replant everything except potatoes. But with this style of gardening, it was no big deal!!! I can do it all on my knees. No more back pain, no more blisters from hoeing! The children LOVE it b/c they can see exactly what we have and have learned to identify which plants have what names. I am so glad to have found this book and plan to expand year after year. What a blessing this book as been to us. My friends see it and now want one - they can have a garden even in their small subdivision backyards!Read full review
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Books
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Books
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
