The Perfect SFG Measuring Cup
A 18 gallon/68 liter storage tote is the perfect measuring cup for Square Foot Gardening.
A 4 foot by 4 foot SFG requires 8 cubic feet of Mel’s Mix. 1/3 Compost, 1/3 Peat, 1/3 Vermiculite or 2.67 cubic feet of each material. A full tote equals 2.4 cubic feet. A heaping tote will be very close to the required 2.67 cubic feet. This is gardening, not rocket science, so absolute precision is not required. I’ll use three tubs, one of each ingredient, mix it on a tarp and add it the the new raised beds. I’ll make three different “dumps” because the weight does add up. I found that the store bought compost in 40 lb. bags equal about 0.75 cubic feet. This is the best way I have found to mix, measure and add the mix to a new Square Foot Garden.
All though I also do a bit of SFG in my vegetable garden, it’s not exactly in the way you approach it. It will be fun to see how your veg garden develops. I’m impressed by your long list of tomato seedlings.
I’ve never actually measured out the components that Mel recommends. That is new in his new book and wasn’t in the original one that I learned from. I have always just added compost, peat and manure to the existing soil. Are you gardening in only Mel’s mix, and not using any of your existing soil? If so, doesn’t that get too expensive?
Nice post - good idea about the tote.
I am using Mel’s Mix only. It is not cheap, but not as expensive as I first thought. The cost of Mel’s mix for me was around $25 per 4×4 box. The totes worked out great, but be sure to have them close to where you will need them. The tote of compost gets heavy.
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