My Garden in Early Summer 2005
Glenn's Garden Materials

My materials are divided into four groups: 1) materials used to create the planting medium (soil mix); 2) materials used to make the planting beds; 3) materials for constructing the square foot dividers; and 4) materials used to enclose the garden and to provide climbing areas for vining plants.

PLANTING MEDIUM: I use the basic recipe provided by Mel with some small adjustments for my climate. Here is the ''recipe'' for the basic mix for one 4 ft. by 4ft. square (16 square feet) I use:
Step 1 - Prepare a bed to contain the mix;
Step 2 - mix one 3 cubic ft. bale of peat moss to 3 medium sized bags of vermiculite (coarse if possible) and 1 large bag of composted (very dry) manure.
Step 3 - add in 1 bag of ''Miracle Grow'' potting soil, 1 pound of bone meal and 1/2 pound blood meal.
Step 4 - mix well with a garden hoe or small shovel, add enough water to dampen the mix and stir well again. Add more water and mix again. Smooth out and level the surface.
Step 5 - put square foot markers in place.
Step 6 - wait 24 hours and soak the mix well with water again.
Stip 7 - wait another 24 hours, plant your seeds or transplant your plants and water well.
Note: I do not use any of the existing soil inside the square foot beds.

BEDDING CONTAINER MATERIALS - here are the materials I use - use whatever you can get that works. For one four ft. by four ft. square:
4 boards - 4 ft. and 3 in. long, preferably 2'' by 8'' boards, always use untreated, unpainted lumber. (I'll explain the extra 3 inches on the ''Building Your Garden'' page.
12 wood screws, 3'' long.
See my ''Building Your Garden'' link for complete instructions on how to build these beds.

SQUARE FOOT DIVIDER CONSTRUCTION - After trying many different materials and methods, here is what I finally settled on:
Four pieces of 1/2'' CPVC pipe cut to 3 ft. 11 1/2 inches long.
Sixteen pieces of 1/2'' CPVC pipe cut to 11 3/4 inches long.
Five 1/2'' CPVC ''T'' joints
Five 1/2'' CPVC end caps
Five small wood screws or self-tapping screws
One can PVC glue.
See my ''Dividing Up The Sections'' link for complete instructions on how to make these dividers.

ENCLOSURE MATERIALS - here's what works for me currently:
Nine 7 ft ''T'' posts
Enough Rabbit-Wire fencing to surround the garden
One discarded gate for a chain-link fence
A length of wire used to cut and connect the rabbit-wire fence to the ''T'' posts.
See my ''Protecting Your Garden'' link for complete instructions.

OTHER MATERIALS - the tools I use:
A water hose
A small garden trowel
A five-gallon container for water
A small pair of pruning shears for harvesting certain vegetables.