tips & tricks
“
The ‘soil’ is arguably
the most important
component of a SFG,
and over time, Mel
Bartholomew changed
his thinking about how
to manage this element
of his growing plan.”
Peat moss - The use of peat moss
may raise eyebrows. It is not a
renewable resource, and you may
have a philosophical prejudice
against using it. Once an SFG
is established, though, it can be
replanted season after season with
little or no peat moss replenishment.
Vermiculite - Vermiculite has gotten
some bad press in the last few years. It
is mined in areas that may also contain
asbestos, and there have been reports
of asbestos contaminated vermicu-
lite in the past. All processing is now
regulated, so vermiculite supplies are
widely considered safe to use. If you
still have reservations, perlite is an
acceptable alternative. Both retain
moisture well and are sterile and inert.
Compost - The recipe calls for
“blended” compost. This simply means
compost from a variety of sources to
maximize the number of nutrients in the
final blend. Some options are worm cast-
ings, chicken manure, and mushroom
compost. Check labels to make sure
you’re getting a broad selection.
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grow cycle
Of the three ingredients above,
vermiculite is likely to be the hardest
of the three ingredients to source,
especially the coarse, agricultural-grade
form that has the best water retentive
properties. If you can’t find it at your
garden center, it’s probably available
through special order. When all else
fails, you can purchase it online.
How much of the mixture will you
need? A standard, 4x4-foot, six-inch
high box frame will require eight cubic
feet of the soilless blend.
If making this recipe yourself seems
like too much work, special pre-blended
SFG soil products are available.
The Plants
Growing plants in a tight space has advan-
tages, but it also presents some unex-
pected challenges. For sprawling speci-
mens, regular pruning will be necessary.
It’s also a good idea to add a trellis or other
support to your box and choose at least a
few vining plants or other varieties you can
train to grow up instead of out. This makes
general maintenance and harvesting
easier. Placing taller plants in the north-
ern-most section of the grid will also give
shorter plants better access to sunlight.