Re: Karen's repost of questions: answered?

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

Dear karen-  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?
 
I have no idea whether you may get a decent harvest with closer spacing. anyone else know?

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?
 
Personally I would add at least 30% soil (the soil you have in your yard typically) by volume to the mix you speak of. What I have read tells me many plants need the trace elements found in garden soil routinely as well as fiber to grow on. Soil includes a host of bacteria too that is needed.
 
I also have wood ash, coarse lime (not powdered) and uncomposted leaves from the fall available. Should I add some of these?
I would add some ash- great stuff. lime may unbalance your mix out of the PH level your plants need to grow so nix the lime unless you know you need it..  I am not adding any uncomposted materials like grass clippings, leaves, etc. to my soil. Composting those leaves with grass clippings first adds longer term fertilizer to your soil without risking burning some plant's roots.
 
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?
The books say that strong nitrogen (as found in manure, and to a gentler degree compost) will deform carrots and hamper their growth and maturity. Add that manure and compost to the same soil for tomatoes and so on because they like it. Remember that you can custom make your soil for the plants you intend to grow in the spot you grow them. That is one of the benefits of sqfting.

I wasn't planning on getting fancy by trying to slope the glass topinto 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. I'm looking forward to hearing your opinions.    Karen

Sorry Karen I have no experience with cold frames yet.
bill missen.
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