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Best Letter of the Week

 

FINALLY, SUCCESS!

Mel: I think your method is just great. Thank you for finally giving me a successful garden, after years of trying to make something grow in my pathetic patch of dirt. I just finished a salad of tomatoes, beets, beans, lettuce, cucumber, broccoli and carrots that had all been in the ground or hanging on a trellis just minutes before. Heaven!! Eggplant, zucchini, potatoes and melons are growing as though on steroids. And the tops and peels are going right back into the compost bin.

Bonnie in Illinois

WELCOME TO SQUARE FOOT GARDENING

Dear Bonnie: Your letter says it all! Thanks so much for sharing your success story with us. SFG really does work and not only is it productive, but simple to do. Keep up the good work. We'd love to see some pictures of this wonderful garden.

Continued success with your garden. We encourage you to carefully read and study all of our website which has a wealth of information, updates and new ideas. Then, please share your knowledge of Square Foot Gardening with your family, friends and neighbors and invite them to also visit the website. SFG can make such a difference as it continues to spread throughout the world.

Happy gardening,
Karen
SFG Foundation
www.squarefootgardening.com

 

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The Blessing of Square Foot Gardening

Karen,

I am sending pictures of my Square Foot Garden. I added seven more beds this year just before I had open heart surgery on May 31st. I do everything exactly the way Mel says to do it in his wonderful book. My first day home I went right to my garden and I was invigorated at the growth in just seven days. These pictures are taken on June 26th 2007. I planted everything on May 24th. Each morning I go out into my garden with my coffee and look at all my plant children and then I take 15 minutes to water. It lifts my spirit and is helping me get through the physical problems from my surgery. For many years square foot garden has been a great blesing to my wife and I and brings us a lot of peace as we grow old together.

I'm so thankful to Mel Bartholomew and the Square Foot Garden Foundation for its wonderful work. I teach it to every one I come in contact with and got four of my nurses in the hospital started. Its great to do that for others.

Thank you,
Paul

Hi Paul,

It's good to hear from you again! Your story is so inspiring that we would like to share your letter with others. You are an inspiration!

I enjoyed talking with you on the phone and hearing about your garden and what a difference it has made in your life. You are obviously a terrific guy! Thanks for sharing SFG with others!

Happy gardening,
Karen
SFG Foundation

 

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Dear Mel,

I have always loved gardening vegetables and flowers. This year my husband built 2 new wooden raised beds (33ftL by 48inW by 30in H) side by side with a narrow gravel lined path between. He even installed misters. (He does not garden so this was a special treat for me.) I don't really know how I came up with this plan but I was excited. A few neighbors and friends were skeptical which made me unsure of its success. Then I started doing research on raised beds and came across your book. I read it from cover to cover the first day I purchased it. I never once doubted the success of the garden again. I don't weed, hoe, till or water. I just lollygag through the garden and pick the loot! In Arkansas we usually have tomatoes by the 4th of July. I picked 12 ripe tomatoes on June 22nd. I love the little grids and planting with a pencil! I've had literally 50 people gawk at the garden and comment how they've never seen anything like it. I would change a few minor things now that I've read your book, but all in all, you've totally transformed my gardening! I love it! By looking at the pictures, I'm sure you can see the one thing I'll do differently next season...Not plant quite so thick! I can still pick all the squash and tomatoes through the back fence, but it is a little out of control! Thank you so much, I recommend your book to everyone!

Lori in Arkansas

WELCOME TO SQUARE FOOT GARDENING

Dear Lori:

Your garden is beautiful and obviously flourishing. I love the pictures. And the description you have written is fun to read. Who knows, you might turn your husband into a gardener now that he sees the success of your SFG! From the sounds of all those other people who are visiting and are amazed by your garden, maybe you need to start charging admission!

Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Continued success with your garden.


Happy gardening,
Karen
SFG Foundation

 

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SFG SUCCESS!

First, THANK YOU, Karen, for enthusiastically answering my questions & encouraging me as I was ordering my boxes, collecting my compost, etc. to get started. Second: I have never gardened and am now a successful gardener due to my SFG! I am absolutely amazed! I purchased 4 SFG boxes (3 regular, 1 beautiful pyramid & 3 tomato towers), spent 2 weeks locating 5 different composts, planted >30 different vegetables, herbs & flowers; & am now harvesting the most healthy vegetables when I planted seeds just 4 weeks ago! My gardening neighbors have praised the lush deep green plants confirming the great soil composition. They are also surprised at the success I've had with certain vegetables they've struggled with. I have already harvested the radishes, am currently harvesting 1+ salad & 1 mess of turnip greens a day & am eagerly waiting for the squash, tomatos, legumes, etc. It takes about 15 minutes a day to water, prune, weed (maybe 5 weeds so far, honest!) & train vines to climb where I want. I tend to my garden while still in my suit after work without getting dirty. This experience has been absolutely thrilling because it has not interferred with my busy life - it has only enhanced it!

Bonita

Dear Bonita,

WOW! You have really made my whole week! It has certainly been our pleasure to help you get started with SFG and then to hear of your outstanding success! We appreciate you taking the time to express your well-expressed thoughts and feelings about SFG. I love your comment about being able to garden in your suit after coming home from work. Square Foot Gardening is certainly the perfect method in today's busy world.

You'll be a great influence to others who will watch you garden and then want the same thing for themselves.

Thanks again, Bonita. It really sounds like you are an amazing woman!

Karen
SFG Foundation

 

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CAUTION - SFG CAN BE HABIT FORMING!

Hello, Guys!

Number of years ago I told a friend of mine I was interested in having my own garden. She and her husband owned a copy of the early edition of Square Foot Gardening and loaned it to me. They had not read it themselves, but were keeping it on the shelf for “sometime in the future”. I read it and fell in love with the whole concept. But, my life didn’t stabilize in one place long enough to consider starting a garden until recently. By then, I had purchased a copy of the new and improved edition. I was ready to move forward.

I gathered enough wood for 4 frames . . . I was going to begin with only one 4x4 box. But there was so little work involved, I added a second. Then a friend at work told me it wasn’t too late to plant lettuce; and I added a third. You should add a warning to your book – “Square Foot Gardening is habit forming”. Now that I’ve gotten my “feet wet”, I’m ready to start planning for next year. I wanted to keep things small the first time out and use this year as a learning year. I want to plant enough next year to actually freeze and can. This method is so cool! I’ve already shown the garden to one young couple starting out, a neighbor across the street, and a family from church. The family from church, he has an engineer’s mind. He took one look and instantly “got it”. They have had gardens off and on over the years, but always traditional ones. But, the tilling and hoeing are becoming more than he can keep up with anymore. And this method allows the children to be just as involved right from the beginning. In fact, his oldest child and he were already planning their square foot garden as they left my house.

This weekend my first sugar snap pea appeared, along with three bush peas. The tomatoes are flowering, as are the bell peppers. And one of my basil plants appears to be on steroids. The words of the song keep echoing in my mind – “I’m so excited, I’m about to lose control, but I think I like it…” You remember my friend, the one who had the original book just collecting dust on her bookshelves? After seeing my garden put together and the very first sugar snap pea of the season hanging at eye level she borrowed my copy of your updated book.

So, let me say in the vernacular of some of my younger friends, “you rock!”

Teresa

Dear Teresa: Thank you for your letter. It is absolutely delightful! Your story about reading your friend's SFG book is so good! And the best part is that they started their own garden after seeing yours! What a great example you have set.

Square Foot Gardening really can be habit-forming! Keep up the good work and stay in touch!

Continued success with your garden. And, thanks again for sharing SFG with so many people. We'll look forward to receiving updates on all you are doing.

Happy gardening,
Karen
SFG Foundation

 

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   EXTENDING THE SEASONS IN COLORADO - SNOW AND ALL!

Hi Mel,
I discovered SFG last year when I decided I needed to learn to grow food
seriously in preparation for the difficult times ahead. I have always loved
to garden but only as a hobby and with very mixed results. A summer crop of
tomatoes and zuchinis and not much of anything else. It was time for me to
get serious . . . last year in April I was able to get a garden started and thriving with extra to give to friends . . . It would not have been possible if I had to start with amending the clay soil we have in Colorado.

Here is a picture I took of one of my beds in December. I used the lower frame to put a cover cloth that protected plants down to 28 degrees. The upper frame was used to hold a tarp to protect against snow. Even though they turned off the water in early October (I carried in my own water) I was able to harvest spinach, lettuce, beet greens, mizuna and swiss chard all the way up to December 23rd - the day before we received almost 3 feet of snow. Unfortunately the weather continued to snow almost weekly for a long time. I had to admit that the garden was finished. I did not uncover the tarp until the first week of March this year. Guess what! The spinach survived the long winter in darkness and no watering! I am eating fresh spinach without doing anything except a little watering. I am going to continue to garden through this winter . . . Thank you, Mel, for SFG. I 'm using it for the rest of my life!

Mary in Colorado

Dear Mary:

Thank you for your wonderful and very descriptive letter. Mel is presently taking a sabbatical and spending time developing new ideas, continuing his writing, as well as doing some traveling.

Your garden box is very impressive! We are hearing from more and more people who feel a need to become self-sufficient. Like you, they want to garden more and, in addition to that, extend the seasons so that fresh vegetables are available for a much longer period of time.

This is one thing that is so great about SFG - the ability to easily protect the box from the elements!

We wish you continued success with your garden and know that your letter will inspire others to do the same.

Happy gardening,
Karen

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SFG IN NEW ZEALAND

Subject: : Metric Measurements
Hi Mel, my name is Cliff and I live in Auckland, New Zealand. I think your book is excellent and I will be modifying my gardening to suit.

I would like to make four comments:

1. Only America is behind the times. Most of the rest of the English speaking world is metric. Your Chart "Germination Times and Temperatures" is in Fahrenheit. I had to pencil in our Centigrade values along the top of your chart. While we used to be able to buy vermiculite in New Zealand prior to 1965 in 4 cu ft bags it now comes in 100 litre bags.
I do not have trouble converting the figures as I am a civil engineer who trained in imperial units way back in the 1950's but other people in New Zealand are not so well versed.

2.Spring here is in September not March as set out in your book.

3. I used to teach how to make lightweight concrete back in the 1960's using all sorts of lightweight aggregates such as foam, pumice, scoria, perlite and vermiculite. In 1964 I gave a still well-remembered talk on lightweight concrete and presented a 35 page paper on the subject. In that was a table showing the properties of perlite versus vermiculite. In short, a cu yd of perlite can hold 126 gals of water whereas a cu yd of vermiculite can hold 140 gals or 11 % more. Your theory therefore is right. If you would like a copy of this table send me you personal email address.

4. In closing what I do not like about web site emails is that the sender is not able to keep a copy in their Outbox folder. So if you send me an answer, I can only try to remember what I sent to you.

Cliff.

 

Dear Cliff:

Thank you for your very informative letter. Your letter came immediately after another letter from New Zealand! Mel is presently taking a sabbatical and spending time developing new ideas, continuing with his writing, as well as doing some traveling. In his absence, he has asked me to handle all e-mail correspondence as well as all other inquiries. It will be exciting to see what develops from Mel’s sabbatical as he gives himself more creative time by temporarily eliminating his day-to-day involvement with the operation of the Foundation.

We are glad you have discovered SFG! From my own experience, it works very well and is as good as Mel says.

You are correct about America being behind on the metric system and I don't see that changing any time in the near future. And, the SFG book is written as if everyone has spring in March. As you know, even in the northern hemisphere not everyone can plant at the very same time in the spring. As Mel wrote the book he certainly realized that, but knew that it would make the book much simpler if people could just adapt for their own differing areas.

Mel would be very interested in a copy of the chart you mentioned which compares perlite and vermiculite! If you would please send it by reply to this e-mail - info@squarefootgardening or sfg1981@yahoo.com (both go to the same e-mail box) - we would greatly appreciate it. In fact, it sounds fascinating!

You were concerned about not having a copy of your e-mail to us and you will find a copy below.

Thanks again for writing. We'll look forward to hearing from you soon. Good luck with your garden.

Happy gardening,
Karen
SFG Foundation

And from Mel:

Dear Cliff:

To further answer your question, who would have thought that the Square Foot Gardening Book would have become so popular world-wide. Certainly my publisher didn’t because they didn’t promote it as such.

But you are absolutely right about America still being backward with the metric system and I would like to ask my publisher if they will add this information on the next printing. They are not usually willing to do any changes, but let’s see what happens. Would you be willing to help me prepare the additions needed? For example, on the seed starting chart if you would please give me the degrees centigrade to match the others.

Incidentally, concerning the starting time when you mentioned that your spring is our fall and vice versa, I think all of our charts are not based upon actual months but the weeks before and after the last frost. That would work anywhere in the world.

It’s true that when you live down under everything is upside down or, as I’m sure you think of it, that everyone above the equator is upside down!

Question about lumber: Do your lumber stores sell wood and call it 1x6 inches or 2x6 inches and does lumber in New Zealand come in a standard 8-foot length? If not, can you fill me in on the proper dimensions used there?

This is important enough so even if the publisher refuses to change the book, we will post this on our website for all our friends around the world and we would like to give you the credit for taking the initiative. Would you like to send us a picture of yourself and your garden that we can post with this?

Thanks again for writing and please be assured that we are open to any kind of a suggestion, particularly ones that would make more people in New Zealand and Australia aware of all the advantages of Square Foot Gardening.

By the way, we do call it Square Meter Gardening when we go into other countries that use the metric system.

Best wishes for the New Year!

Mel

 

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Posted 11/11/06

 

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Posted 10/16/06

 

Subject: I LOVE SFG!

Hi Mel, my name is Diane and I live in Washington. I think your method is absolutely wonderful. This is the only way I can do any gardening. It is unbelievably simple and logical. Maybe, that was the reason nobody thought about that before. I finally enjoy my garden, every square foot of it.

I would like to invite everybody to try this method. Even if it sounds not right in the beginning, just try it.

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy gardening now with your system. Even with a few tweaks of my own, it works great. THANK YOU FOR SHOWING US A WAY TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND HAPPY GARDENERS.

WELCOME TO SQUARE FOOT GARDENING

Dear Diane: We enjoyed reading your letter very much! You've said it all. SFG is simple, logical, easy-to-understand and explain. And, best of all, SFG enables people to keep on gardening and that bring so much happiness and joy. Thanks for taking the time to write and express your thoughts and feelings.

Happy gardening,
Karen
SFG Foundation

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Posted 9/12/06

 

HOW MANY BUNNIES PER SQUARE FOOT?

Mr. (Smiling) Mel,

My name is Pete. My wife Nancy and I started SFG back in
the late 70's after your first book. But moving and being apartment dwellers didn't always allow for gardening at all. Going on 9 years ago we bought this little house in New Jersey. The original owner had gardened this plot years back and the soil was moderately loose, so after a year or two we started a new garden, but with conventional rows. We did alright with a half dozen tomato plants and 1 or 2 other
veggies and some residual strawberry plants which the squirrels mostly got.

This past winter, Nancy happened upon your 'All New SFG' and we decided to do it again. All your R&D has really made this a fun project and we've got more veggies in than ever before. I sodded the garden around the boxes and it's like growing in the
living room!

Nancy ordered a bunch of seeds from a supplier in Maine and put in peas and beans, spinach, onions, broccoli,cauliflower and a new strawberry bed. Our tomatoes got their own boxes. About 2 weeks ago, Nancy was weeding and pulled out a spinach plant that had bolted. In the roots was some furry looking fluff. When she looked in the hole something moved.She called me to look and I thought it was a mouse, and I figured since we disturbed it's nest it would probably be gone by the next day. Next day the hole was a little bigger and I could see a small body but not the head. I didn't mess with it figuring 'wait and see'. Day 3 the hole was a little bigger and we discovered BUNNIES!

At first I thought 3, but as the days have gone by and the hole gets bigger there are 5. Cute little buggers, but I can't help thinking; When they come out, there goes the garden! Do you think it was those seeds from Maine?

In this situation I think we can live with it. They're part of the Natural world and there isn't much of that here in the 'burbs. Every time I go through your book I am inspired. Speaking of which, I would like to bring SFG to the schools here. I believe it would do a world of good. I have no teaching credentials, but am interested in SFG certification, would you advise me? We really admire and appreciate the work you've accomplished with SFG.

Thank you,
Pete & Nancy

WELCOME TO SQUARE FOOT GARDENING

Dear Pete and Nancy: Thank you for your letter. Mel is presently taking a sabbatical and spending time developing new ideas, continuing with his writing, as well as doing some traveling. In his absence, he has asked me to handle all e-mail correspondence as well as all other inquiries. It will be exciting to see what develops from Mel’s sabbatical as he gives himself more creative time by temporarily eliminating his day-to-day involvement with the operation of the Foundation.

Perhaps I should have said, "Welcome Back to SFG"! We're happy to hear you are back gardening using SFG.

Your delightful letter has caused quite a stir! I've e-mailed a copy of it to Mel so he can see the bunny crop and have told him about it over the phone. We have just got to put this up on our website somewhere - it is just too unique and fun not to share with others. Do we have your permission to do that? "How many bunnies per square foot?" would make a good caption.

I'm so glad you have taken pictures. Your garden looks great and the bunnies are so cute! I have shown the picture to my youngest daughters still at home and they were oohing and aahing over those balls of fluff. You've just got to let us know what happens next.

Someone wrote us once and said that they built a cage to go over their entire 4x4 box so that they could put their pet bunnies inside to let them have a feast on the lettuce growing there. Your story certainly takes things one step further. It must be a combination of those seeds from Maine plus that loose and friable Mel's Mix.

We would love to have you teach and share SFG in your local schools and you are so correct - it would make a world of difference.

We are in the process of developing an SFG Certification course which will be available on a CD. We are still several months away from getting this done and available. In the meantime, you could certainly begin studying and learning all you can. Thoroughly read the website and Mel's All New SFG book. You will also be interested in the School Gardening section to see what is being done in classrooms. Also read "Teaching SFG" under "What's New."

When you feel you are ready, you don't need to wait for the certification. Please go ahead and set up a program and do what you would like in your local school. The official certification can come later. Please let me know if we can help in any way.

Happy gardening,
Karen

 

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Posted 9/4/06

Hi Mel,

I think your book is just the most mind-bending gardening book I ever read. Bought the first one so long ago...could it be so long?..., AFTER I rototilled a 25' x 25' foot plot on the side yard of our first house. That garden was thrilling and wonderful; I made frames on which to grow cukes, pole beans, grew hundreds of pounds of tomatoes and peppers, grew flowers everywhere in between plants, and enjoyed the whole experience. BUT -- isn't there always a "but"? The next year that garden grew nothing but weeds, which had been well-fertilized. What a mess. When my book club offered Square Foot Gardening, I knew I was buying a winner, and I was right.

Please accept my thanks and highest praise for your concepts, ideas, and for the books. I bought a copy of the second edition the other day because we're remodeling and my old book is in an unreachable carton in the basement. No questions, just praise. Thank you so much for opening my eyes to different possibilities. Sometimes a little idea goes a long way.

Your better informed fan,
Sharon


Dear Sharon:

Your letter was outstanding. I'll definitely be passing it on to Mel and know he will greatly appreciate reading it! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and feelings. I'm sure others would enjoy reading it as well. It certainly made my day to read it! Continued success with your garden!

Happy gardening,
Karen
SFG Foundation

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Posted 8/27/06

Hi Karen,
Thanks for your reply to my question about the size of the cover. Now
that I know I can go buy the cover with confidence that it will fit. I
appreciate all your help in making it possible for people to grow their own food without spending a lot of money or time. It will help in the coming difficult times ahead with the energy crunch and environmental pollution. I share a community garden with 3 other people. Our first year was so successful that we are finding certain vegetables are overwhelming us because we planted too much and can't eat it all. Next year we will have a better sense of how much to plant of each vegetables and how to distribute or share what we grow. We need to bring in someone who could convert the vegetables into food (such as basil to pesto, tomato into sauce etc). We are trying to find someone who is not into gardening but likes to work in the kitchen. We are still refining our food supply process.
I got my friends to accept the SFG techniques but out there in the
community gardens people are not as open to change. They will stay with their way of gardening because that's how they have always done it and despite everything the vegetables will still grow. But there was no way we would have produce as much as we did and in a very short period of time. We are gardening with some gardeners who have been working on their lot for 7 years. We came in this April and our gardens have always been complimented upon by everyone. But there are some gardeners who are struggling with their garden. Those are the ones who desperately need SFG. I'll refer them if they ever ask what we are doing.

Thanks,
Mary

Hi Mary,

Thanks in return for your wonderful reply! Your letter was so uplifting and contained such great information that we'd like to post it on our website. You just sum up so nicely about the people who say, "Because that's the way we've always done it." And, yet, just look at what you've accomplished with your garden in a short period of time. You'll soon have those watching you follow in your footsteps!

Happy gardening,
Karen

 

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Posted 6/30/06

Congratulating Mel

     Hi Mel, my name is Ravi and I live in Tennessee I think your method is just FANTASTIC and Congratulations Mel on what will be regarded as a new form of agriculture, AND which is as important and original in its concepts and implications as Hydroponics was, and I would like to Dream up a couple of concepts and sketch them and send them to you. You need to take this to the villages and houses everywhere. I wish you were around when Mahatma Gandhi was. You both would have solved the world's hunger by now. Of course, the Mahatma would have endlessly wrote about what He grew in His Square Foot Garden everyday, possibly as a column "Gandhi's Square Foot Garden". Can I please join you in the Hydroponics efforts? I am also an engineer and contractor and am a sucker for sheer simplicity and genius.

Dear Ravi:

     Thank you for your letters and last SFGH Kit. I am anxious to try the upside down tomato vine. The photos you sent are exceptional and I wondered if you take these pictures yourself or if you have someone who takes them for you. They are really good. Thank you again for the kits. I will talk with you soon.

Mel

Hi Mel,
Have fun with the kits. It is me that takes the pictures. These were taken by a Fuji 3.2 MP camera. I fill the screen. Luckily it did not shake. Printing; I have found an interesting thing, photo paper is from Sam's Club @ 16 cents per page and the ink is Stratitec Refill Ink. All this goes into my Brother MFC Printer for an unbelievably inexpensive photo printing situation. My refill costs per cartridge is 50 cents. So I print on 8.5 x 11 paper. Impresses everyone that looks at them.

Mel, I think something has come together. My being able to contact you and 10 years of prototypes & samples in the head materializing in a couple of months. Over the next few weeks, I will put together more info from the web into the folder and send it to you. For example, there is a place that has a 3' x 3' plastic box 10.5" deep that also has prolific bean output and does everything you have done; potatoes, tomatoes etc. But they want $36.95.
Your system was producing even before they were born and it was and still is free. The hunt for profit has killed everything in its birth. I want to see everyone grow their own vegetables and fruits and flowers easily and readily.  SFGH is the way.

What has been accomplished by you is to take the headache out of one's own food growing. The method is simple and effective. The goal is to transfer it to hydroponics, where again you have found that it does not chemicals to do the job as many companies are touting. I believe that everyone can do their veggies and fruits naturally without complicated chemicals etc.

Enjoy the samples. Now you know my secret of photos printing. Only Brother MFCs allow refill of ink.

Ravi.

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Posted 6/23/06

 

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GUESS WHAT GUESS WHAT GUESS WHAT?????????????????????

GUESS WHAT I GOT IN THE MAIL SATURDAY?????????

My beautiful boxes!!!!! I am so excited! AND, I got to watch Homegrown on Saturday to see SFG in action! It was a great day!!!! I can hardly wait to get started!

Thank you both for letting me know that I don't need to have my boys dig down through my nice hard packed clay and cement soil for my garden to be successful :) I have ordered the new book, Karen.

I am going to assemble my beautiful boxes tonight with the kids for FHE {Family Home Evening} . . . When the book gets here I will make my final watering plan. I was planning on using a drip irrigation system.

Thank you for all of your help! I will have a salad garden this fall! So far I have tomato salad :) I might get brave and try to start something before fall...it can't hurt?

Thank you thank you thank you!

Jenny Gordon in AZ


Hi Jenny!

Your letter made me smile and then laugh right out loud. It's great you have so much enthusiasm - and I can understand it. In fact, your letter makes me want to turn off this computer and go outside in the garden. (Actually, that is our plan for FHE tonight also! We're building a strawberry pyramid!)

Your book should arrive soon. By the way, a drip system would work great.

Keep in touch and please send pictures!

Happy gardening,
Karen

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Hi Mel:

     I have used your method since I first saw your program in approximately 1982 on PBS. I have since moved and reused the same method of planting. My garden is approximately 18 years old. I have loaned your book out to many and your recipe for the correct soil mixture. I love every minute in the garden and appreciated all you have done for us. We have all clay in this part of Michigan and your method is foolproof.

     Thank you for all your knowledge you have shared with all of the PBS watchers. I’m glad you are still with us. It has been a long time and to be honest I couldn't tell how old you were in the old shows. You look 20 times younger now. I am glad your health has been so good to you.

Thanks Again For All You Have Done!!!!!

Gale Krcmarik
Grand Blanc Michigan


Dear Gale: Thank you for your letter. I have already had the opportunity to share your letter with Mel and he so appreciates your thoughts and comments. It's nice to know there are people who remember Mel's PBS TV series which was so popular. We do have some of those episodes on the Classic Video series available from the Catalog Page of the website.

Thanks for taking the time to write and let Mel know of your feelings. It really made his day! Good luck with your garden.

Happy gardening,
Karen
SFG Foundation

 

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Dear Karen,

Do you remember our conversation from about 10 days ago? I told you I was going to fly to Oregon to help my 80 year old Dad set up a square foot garden. He has had a brain tumor removed, has had a couple of strokes, and has a very difficult time walking and standing. Last year, he fell a few times in his big garden. This year, he has already fallen twice, just attempting to pull weeds. And when he falls, he can't get up. Mom has to call the neighbors to help.

The trip was a teriffic success. I built two 3x3 boxes with sturdy stands, and planted them completely (with some seeds and some starts). I even got Dad to help build the boxes and count out seeds. He is excited to start caring for his garden and Mom is glad he'll have a safe way to stay busy.

You need to understand who my Dad is. His name is Daniel W. Brown. In 1975 or 1976 he was recognized by the state of California as one of the top ten school teachers of the year. He was honored because of his in-class gardens. His entire curriculum (math, science, social studies, spelling, art, etc...) was built around gardening. He worked in a very low-income school and so it was quite an accomplishment when the kids became excited about growing and eating vegetables. And he got their families and neighbors involved by holding after school plant and vegetable sales. They earned good money for their school. Dad and his students were featured in the New York times and in Sunset Magazine. They also appeared on local TV and Radio shows, and numerous local newspapers.

Dad has always had wonderful gardens at home, and this is the first year he has been unable to get his big garden started.

I want to thank you, in behalf of my Father, my Mother, and the rest of our family, for the inspiration to get Dad gardening the "Square Foot" way. Hopefully, this will give him a reason to get out of bed each day and to get fresh air and a little excercise. I'll keep you posted.

Sincerely,

Layne H. Brown, Utah

           

           

Dear Layne,

Of course, I remember talking with you. Thanks so much for sending these wonderful pictures as well as telling us about your father. This story is so inspiring and could be of such help to others that we would like to post it on our website as the "Best Letter of the Week" along with some of the pictures you sent.

I have to admit that your letter and the pictures brought a tear to my eye and made me feel so grateful for this wonderful gardening method that can help so many people continue to garden when they couldn't otherwise.

The boxes you and your dad built are some of the best examples we have ever seen for stand-up gardening! They are beautiful and I can just imagine what they will look like as the plants begin to grow.

Thanks, Layne, for taking the time to share this with us. It really means a lot! Mel is out of the country right now, but I'm sure he will also enjoy seeing these pictures and reading the story when he returns.

Happy gardening,
Karen
SFG Foundation

 

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Dear Mel,

   I just wanted to send a short note of appreciation for my Square Foot Gardening Book that’s been my gardening “bible” for more than 10 years now. I used to live on a large acreage and had a large area to garden in. It was there that I first started making raised beds. First, just mounded, then after the first year I knew I was never going back to “row” gardening again and I started making permanent raised beds. I live in the city now, and by city standards I have a “large” yard, but space is still valuable and I have already put in 4 raised beds. 2 of them are in the front yard to the enjoyment of all the neighbourhood kiddies. They love to come and visit and ask questions and help me plant and I love to see them picking fresh veggies for snacks as they are playing outside. Some would never have SEEN a pea in its natural growing form if not for my raised bed! For anyone that has children, even a small raised bed provides a great place to find worms, get dirty and learn first hand about the life cycle of a plant. Sunshine, fresh air, and QUALITY time together a child in the quiet of a garden is a real treat. Nothing from a can or jar can compare to what comes fresh out of the ground. Again, thank you for the books, and now a wonderful website that shows that everyone can enjoy the world of garden, and reap large rewards, even in a very small space. Sincerely, Lisa Gardenits, happy gardener and Mom of 8 Canada

 

SFG Reply;

GEAT NEIGHBORHOOD GARDEN

Dear Lisa:

   Thank you for your letter. Mel is taking a sabbatical for the next several months. He will be spending time developing new ideas, continuing with his writing, as well as doing some traveling. In his absence, he has asked me to handle all e-mail correspondence as well as all inquiries and orders. It will be exciting to see what develops from Mel’s sabbatical as he gives himself more creative time by temporarily eliminating his day-to-day involvement with the operation of the Foundation. Your letter was so gratifying to read and the description you gave of having a Square Foot Garden is exactly what Mel has hoped to accomplish through this gardening method. Mel is out of the country right now, but I'll be very happy to pass this letter on to him when he returns and know he will appreciate it greatly. Thanks again for writing such a refreshing letter. We wish you continued success in your garden and, please, keep on showing those neighborhood children peas. Nothing tastes quite as good as picking and eating peas straight from the garden - every child should have that experience. You're wonderful! Happy gardening,

 

 

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Hi Mel:

     I think your website is just AWESOME! I heard about this method on the radio one morning, and I have since read every page on the entire web site. What a plethora of information! Thank you for all you do. I will be buying your new book very soon, and I am taking a class on Square Foot Gardening at Thanksgiving Point in a few weeks.

     I would like to tell you all thank you so much for making all this information available for free. It makes me belive the method is good when it is not all about making money . . . Again, I am really excited about growing my own food for me and my wife and two little girls.

Aaron
Murray, Utah

SFG Reply;

WELCOME TO SQUARE FOOT GARDENING

Dear Aaron:

    Your letter was wonderful! Thanks for all your great comments - it really made our day. Parts of your letter just may end up as our "Best Letter of the Week". The SFG Foundation is not about making money, but about helping people throughout the world learn a better way to garden. And, the money that does come in through the sales of books, is used to further SFG humanitarian projects . . .

     It's good to hear that you are so excited about your garden. Just think of all the great memories you will be making with your little girls. Good luck with your garden.

Happy gardening,
Karen
SFG Foundation

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Thanks for all the great info.....I am late in reading my email....will place & order in the next day or two. I will recommend you all to EVERYONE....it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling to have a company respond personally with such detailed info. You all are tops in my book.....you may quote me on that. When a company does this type of thing, I think others should know there are still caring humans out there instead of what most of us contend with on a daily basis. Keep up the good work.....& much success to everyone of you. I send you love & happiness from TX. Look for my order SOON.....maybe today when I get to work....yes I do work but I think about gardening at the same time too.

Sincerely,
Charlotte Stout

 

SFG Reply;

Hi Charlotte,

Thanks for taking the time to write all these wonderful comments. You have really made our whole day - week actually!!!! We just may quote you on that!! We were happy to answer your questions.

Thanks again,
Karen
SFG Foundation

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Hello:

   You may not remember us but we are the 4th ID stationed at FOB War Horse in Ba'quaba, Iraq. We loaded all our SFG supplies (Mel's Mix, planter boxes, tomato tower) in connexes prior to deployment that we shipped by barge from the States.It is finally dry enough to put our garden to use, so here is out layout. You may recognize the boxes, they are the towers that we pulled apart to gain more space. We are using string and nails as dividers because we didn't have enough sticks. We are growing tomatoes (4 kinds), beans, peppers (2 kinds), cukes, honey dew melon, eggplant, herbs (mint, thyme, rosemary, basil and sage), mesclun lettuce and a variety of flowers. Our plan is to put in some benches so the soldiers will have a place to sit. Also, the garden is to be a memorial to all the 3rd Brigade soldiers who have been killed in action or died of other causes. We also plan to put in a adobe, wood fired oven in the space for relaxation and baking (that is next month 's project). We deployed in Nov '05 and won't be going home until Nov '06. So far we have had good participation and have a gardening group that meets every Sunday. Hope you are well, thanks for all your great support.

Regards,
MAJ Gabrielle Bryen

 

SFG Reply;

                GARDENING UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

Dear Gabrielle: Of course we remember you! You have been so innovative in the use of the pyramid boxes and your gardens look great. You are certainly making the best of a difficult situation and we applaud you for all you are doing in serving our great country.

Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you further develop your garden project. Thanks for sending the photos. That helps us visualize exactly what you have accomplished. You will certainly be an inspiration to others as we share what you have done.

Mel was so impressed by what you are doing he would like to have your letter posted on the website as the "Best Letter of the Week", along with the pictures you sent.

Also, I have a question on your Mel's Mix. Do you have enough in your boxes? It looks pretty low. I know it is hard to use the existing soil there, but perhaps you could add a little to bring the level up.

Thanks so much for writing to give us an update. We wish you a safe tour of duty and please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Happy gardening,
Karen
SFG Foundation

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Hi Mel:

     I think your book is just great. (It would be nice to be able to pick more than one - I enjoy the website, too, and have picked up a lot of good hints and ideas from reading other people's questions.)

I would like to offer a comment on mixing Mel's Mix. On your website, you have mentioned using a large tarp, etc., etc. I have found that a 50-gallon plastic drum with a tight lid works well, especially for smaller batches. You don't really have to measure, either - which is a question I've seen several times in the FAQ. Fill the barrel a little more than 1/4 full with each of the 3 ingredients (making the barrel about 3/4 full), mix a little with a hoe or shovel between each ingredient, put on the lid, and roll it down the street or around the yard. Since the barrel is only 3/4 full, there's plenty of room for things to tumble and mix. It's not perfect, but it's easy and even kids have fun rolling the drum around. Happy gardening, and thanks for the great work!

Miican
Texas

SFG Reply:

Dear Miican:

     Thank you for your letter and thanks for the great suggestion. I'll be sure and pass it on to Mel. I can just picture how much fun the kids would have rolling the barrel around the yard. They probably would even try to walk on top of the barrel like the old circus performers. Mixing in a barrel would be good especially for small batches and dust wouldn't be a problem since it is all enclosed.

Happy gardening,
Karen
SFG Foundation

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From Robin in Australia:

Dear Mel...

   What a great guy you are. Gardening is really the only sensible and sane pursuit on the earth. This is the thing the Lord did after he made the earth. What really touched me was when a whole lot of kids from a school each wrote a brief piece in a letter to you and you replied to each one of them. That brought tears to my eyes. Kids are so valuable and wonderful. You are engaged in a memorable work here. An idea might be to take it to the inner-city kids and the project kids. It's a tough call; but I reckon you might just be the man the Lord could use to bring a bit of light into these peoples lives. God bless you mate!

Kindest.....Robin

( Robin’s second letter)

Dear Mel & Co...

     Having read your mission statement so to speak, about working in countries to assist in eliminating hunger, I believe I have the talent and the skill to be part of such a project.

     I am skilled in horticulture and organic gardening. I also am skilled in Cranio-Sacral therapy. I'm also in the throes of becoming an English teacher. So with those three arrows in my quiver, as it were, there ought to be a fair bit that I could do. Now that my kids have all moved on, I want to contribute something else worthwhile to the Lord's children. I would like to think I have the talents to assist some of these poor souls oppressed by lack of knowledge. I think that's what Isaiah said...my people go into bondage thru lack of knowledge.

     Anyway perhaps you may be able to put me in contact with some outfit that can steer me in the right direction.

Kindest.....Robin

SFG Reply:

WELCOME TO SQUARE FOOT GARDENING

Dear Robin:

     Thank you for both of your wonderful letters. Mel is taking a sabbatical for the next several months. However, your letters were so outstanding I read them to Mel over the phone and he thought what you had to say should be highlighted as the "Best Letter of the Week" and be posted on our website. Do you have a picture of yourself that we could post with your letter? If so, would you please attach it to an e-mail and send it!

     The comments you made were very complimentary, encouraging and uplifting and letters such as yours make our work all worthwhile.

     We would be honored to have you use your many talents in connection with SFG to better the lives of people in needy areas. You mentioned inner city and project kids. There is so much that can be done to help these kids through the use of SFG which, in turn, helps their families. Classes could be held and projects started and these kids could be taught in a community garden and then helped to start their own garden at home. As you know, a SFG garden doesn't need a lot of space and can even be done in a portable box. At first, the kids could grow a garden to supplement the family's nutritional needs and then it could even develop into a small business selling extra produce.

     It is amazing how growing their own garden can raise a child's self-esteem. They feel the thrill of accomplishment as they watch their garden grow right before their eyes. It connects them to the earth and they will soon develop a love and respect for nature.

     We have a man who is also in Australia and is working on some SFG projects. His name is Matt Quinn and he is in South Australia so I don't know how close the two of you may be. However, I am sending him a copy of this letter which will serve as an introduction to the two of you. Perhaps, you could communicate through e-mail and work together in helping others through the use of SFG.

     Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and ideas with us. Please stay in touch and let us know what you decide to do. If there were more people like you who are willing to reach out and help others, just think of all the good that would be accomplished throughout the world. And, isn't that what life is all about? Please let us know how we can help you further. We encourage you to carefully read and study all of our website which has a wealth of information, updates and new ideas. SFG can make such a difference as it continues to spread throughout the world.

Happy gardening,
Karen
SFG Foundation
www.squarefootgardening.com

 

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Dear Mel and Gang-

     After finding a link to your site from my church's self-reliance webpage, I became a true fan of the SFG system. Unfortunately, because of my family's many moves, I have never been in one location long enough to enjoy a planting and harvest from my garden. This upcoming year, we will finally get to stay put long enough to reap what we will sow, thanks to some great ideas gleaned from your SFG website.

     Living in a rental home, our landlord did not want us to disturb existing landscaping to make room for our garden. We were considering our options, when we re-read the idea of a truely 'raised bed' in you Letter's section on Squarefootgardening.com. The letter that lead us to our solution talked about a father who could no longer get down on his knees, so the children built a bed using 4x8 sheets of plywood -holes drilled for drainage-, with 2x10 sides, placed on sawhorses. This is a great solution for those of us who need garden areas with minimal impact on existing landscaping, as well. Plus, with Mel's Mix in the beds, weeding will be virtually unnessesary.(My 3 children thank you)

     We live in a young and growing area, and although it is still winter, I
look forward to sharing the bounty of our garden with the many neighbors who see gardening as something "old people do", without considering a garden for their own young families. Of course, we thought gardening was drudgery too, until we found your method!

     Oh, and thanks for offering the course vermiculite for sale in the Utah area!

Sincerely-

Rich and Lisa, Utah

SFG Reply:

                               WELCOME TO SQUARE FOOT GARDENING

Dear Lisa and Rich: Thank you for your letter. It was great!

You have hit on the perfect solution for gardening in a rental home. And, the best thing of all is that you can bag up the soil and take the garden box with you when you move! You can also make your boxes shallower than the 2x10's you mentioned. 2x6 is deep enough, although in a raised bed 2x8 is good because it doesn't dry out as quickly. Drill 1/4-inch drainage holes 1 per square foot with an extra hole in each corner. Make sure that the box is secure so that it can't be pulled over.

You will love SFG. My family and I have been doing it for almost 4 years and we would never go back to the old single-row method. The children I still have at home love the no-weeding aspect of SFG - my older kids just remember the weeding of our old single-row garden.

Your comment was interesting about changing thinking that only "old people garden". That is so true and yet not enough young families are gardening and passing on that legacy to their children.

We are happy to offer coarse vermiculite for sale in the Utah area and even just had someone from California take a truckload home. There are also other places in Utah to get it. Just let us know if you need more information.

                                        GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR GARDEN

Good luck with your garden. We encourage you to carefully read and study all of our website which has a wealth of information, updates and new ideas. Then, please share your knowledge of Square Foot Gardening with your family, friends and neighbors and invite them to also visit the website. SFG can make such a difference as it continues to spread throughout the world.

Happy gardening and Happy New Year,
Karen
SFG Foundation

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Dear SFG and Mel B. Nov 10, 2005

 

      Sir, consider yourself held in high esteem by our service members – yes, even those who may not garden, but all of whom know a proud American when they see one.  It is very uplifting whenever we hear that we are supported by those at home as we don’t have much access to hear a lot about it. It helps, thank you.

     I am currently serving in Afghanistan where life is essentially brown. The thought of being able to create a tiny spot of color for our troops to enjoy is inviting.  We are in the desert, but we do have some resources and plenty of creativity.  I appreciate your support of our troops serving abroad. I’ve been here for several months and have many yet to go. I’ve come to realize that it’s the little things that you miss and therefore grow more appreciative of. Simply having something else to think about will be a great help. I’d be happy to send you some photos of what we come up with!

Thanks again for supporting our troops – it’s more important than you may ever know

MAJ David J. Wunibald,

 

God bless.

Dave

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Best Letter Last Week