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Re: repost of my questions

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

Karen asked:
>    I'd like your opinions on this setup. I read the spacings in the
>book. It says only 4 swiss chard and 4 lettuce. Does this apply to leaf
>lettuce too or can I put in more. And only 16 carrots???  Would you just
>follow the book or how would you recommend I set up this space to get
>the maximum out of it with these 5 vegetables?

With our half dozen or so light frosts this past winter I shiver just
reading your post! If you've grown any of these before you may have some
idea of how big they get. My experience is everything wants to thrive in the
SQFT method, it's we gardeners who sometimes cause problems.  Leaf lettuce
tends to be very crowded at that spacing, but by selectively havesting you
shouldn't have problems.
Since we harvest the outer stalks of chard it to can be kept in bounds.
Same for the carrots, just pull every otherone as you harvest.  Sounds like
a great place for the peas, go for it!
>    I was going to fill the bed with vermiculite, store bought sheep
>manure, and peat moss. Would you add some sandy soil to this too or just
>leave it rich. I also have wood ash, coarse lime (not powdered) and
>uncomposted leaves from the fall available. Should I add some of these?
Sandy soil would be excellent, as my mix started life as sandy loam and has
had organic matter added thru compost over the years. But moderate in your
use of wood ash, lime and leaves. If the leaves are oak you will need to use
some lime to balance the pH.

>Why does the book say not to add manure to carrots within 6 months of
>planting or they become deformed? Does this mean I shouldn't put any of
>the composted manure into the bed before I plant?

Raw manure is said to cause forking in carrots, composed manure just causes
them to grow bigger for me!!

>    I wasn't planning on getting fancy by trying to slope the glass top
>into a cold frame type angle. Do you think the box will still get enough
>sun and warmth for these vegetables? It's still below 0 celcius up here
>in this zone some days.
If your at home during the day a thermometer placed in the soil will give
you a wealth of info.  The tables Mel has in the book on temperatures should
be your guide. Remember, experience is the best teacher and though I've
gotten really fustrartated at some of my failures I can still chuckle as
remember them.  Karen, use the Book and  list guide you through the glory of
the gardening day.

Bob


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