Let Me Ask You Some Questions, Part II

Mel Bartholomew July 29, 2013 Beginner's Guide

Based on all of the assumptions from the Analyze This post, and are you ready for 5 more questions?

If we understand that whatever you plant now will be ready for harvest at just about the same time, do you understand why we plant each square foot separately?
If we were going to contain our gardening into the four-foot wide beds, why would we even think of improving the soil in the aisles?
Why would we ever think of watering the soil in the aisles if we didn’t want weeds to grow?
If all we need for watering is a few recycled buckets, why would we need a bunch of expensive hoses and sprinkling systems or even automatic watering systems?
If all this works so well, why would we want to complicate gardening?

You’re really catching on to this SFG method. Can I give you 5 more in a few days?

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Larry LaFleur in South West Louisiana August 5, 2013 at 7:26 am -

I am having problems keeping my garden watered. It seems to drain too fast. I have no vermiculite in it but commercial compost, peat, and horse manure. Is the vermiculite the problem? It is difficult to get in bulk down here and very expensive since it is not produced anywhere near.
- Mel Bartholomew August 6, 2013 at 12:43 pm -
  
  Dear Larry,
  
  Of course it’s the lack of vermiculite. This wonderful material has 3 purposes:
  1. To soak up and hold moisture for the plant roots.
  2. To allow air to enter into the soil mix so that the roots can breathe properly.
  3. To make the soil mix loose and friable, easily worked year after year.
  
  But I have a solution for you. We’re now announcing the sale and shipping of our own brand of coarse vermiculite. It will come from South Carolina, so the shipping should be fairly reasonable to you in Louisiana. And coarse vermiculite added to Mel’s Mix is a definite must! I think that you’ll find that it makes all the difference in the world. Here’s a link to our order page and you could be the first happy customer we’re going to have. http://www.squarefootgardening.com/new/coarse-vermiculite-2-cu-ft/
  
  Concerning your compost, it should be blended from at least 5 different sources. How many different kinds of compost did you buy or add in addition to the horse manure?
  
  Best Wishes,
  Mel