Hey everyone! I'm new to Square Foot Gardening and I'm about to build three 4x4x1 raised garden boxes in my backyard for summer veggies like tomatoes, basil, and peppers. I'm planning to use Mel's mix, which is a 1/3-1/3-1/3 ratio of coarse vermiculite, coconut coir (I switched to coir from peat moss after some research), and a mix of five different composts. I'd love your thoughts on my compost mixture: it includes 1/5 Black Kow Manure, 1/5 LeafGro Soil Conditioner, 1/5 Wiggle Worm Pure Worm Castings, 1/5 Espoma Mushroom Compost, and 1/5 Country Boy Humus & Manure. Any feedback or tips from your experience would be super helpful, thanks!
1 Answer
I made a Mel's Mix a few years back and it worked wonders for my plants! I also used coconut coir and vermiculite, along with several types of compost. Mixing it up did take some effort, and I'd suggest hydrating the coir beforehand. I used a large tarp to keep everything contained, and honestly, it turned out great. My plants, including cucumbers and carrots, thrived, and I didn't have any issues related to microbes. Sure, it felt a bit pricey, but totally worth it for how well it worked! You'll likely have similar success!
Awesome! I bought coir as well, but wasn't sure if it would cause any issues. Did you prefer plastic or fabric grow bags for your setup?
Thanks for sharing! I was considering adding some land and sea compost too, but I'm allergic to shellfish, so I'll skip that. Appreciate the insights!