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Shrinking MM
+5
audrey.jeanne.roberts
sanderson
Babblu143
camprn
B00kemdano
9 posters
Page 1 of 1
Shrinking MM
It's been six months since I set up my first SFG - TT version. I had some successes this summer, as well as some failures. I'm learning, and maybe next year will be more productive.
The thing that alarms me the most at this point, is how much my MM shrunk! My 9" deep TT boxes were filled to within an inch of the top, giving me about 8" of MM all the way around. Now, after six months, the MM shrunk to about 3" from the top. I'm not so concerned about only have 6" of MM, as that's what is recommended in the book. But why did it shrink so much? I didn't have any soil wash out with rains. When I removed spent plants, I shook out nearly all the MM.
Where did it all go, and is this an indicator that my MM was faulty from the start?
The thing that alarms me the most at this point, is how much my MM shrunk! My 9" deep TT boxes were filled to within an inch of the top, giving me about 8" of MM all the way around. Now, after six months, the MM shrunk to about 3" from the top. I'm not so concerned about only have 6" of MM, as that's what is recommended in the book. But why did it shrink so much? I didn't have any soil wash out with rains. When I removed spent plants, I shook out nearly all the MM.
Where did it all go, and is this an indicator that my MM was faulty from the start?
B00kemdano- Posts : 131
Join date : 2012-02-12
Age : 51
Location : Huntsville, AL
Re: Shrinking MM
This is normal settling and it happens to all my garden boxes. I add as much compost as I need to top off the box. No Worries!
There are several threads about this. If you want to read them use the search feature at the bottom of the Latest Topics list on the left.
There are several threads about this. If you want to read them use the search feature at the bottom of the Latest Topics list on the left.
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Shrinking MM
:\
I did do some searching, but I guess not enough.
Most of what I planted was stunted or didn't put out any fruit at all. Maybe my compost mix was not good?
I did do some searching, but I guess not enough.
Most of what I planted was stunted or didn't put out any fruit at all. Maybe my compost mix was not good?
B00kemdano- Posts : 131
Join date : 2012-02-12
Age : 51
Location : Huntsville, AL
Re: Shrinking MM
Stunted growth could be from lack of nutrients, lack of water or the excessive heat. DO you have your own compost pile going now? Just fill up the garden box with compost and mix it in before planting next season. No reason to make more Mel's Mix.B00kemdano wrote::\
I did do some searching, but I guess not enough.
Most of what I planted was stunted or didn't put out any fruit at all. Maybe my compost mix was not good?
I also have a terrible time, sometimes, using the search feature. Later I will see what I can dig up.
Last edited by camprn on 8/28/2012, 5:27 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : had to add a pun.)
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Shrinking MM
I'll give an answer. I am in zone 6a, which is close. Normally that means first killing frost is late oct. or early november.
Babblu143- Posts : 1
Join date : 2015-03-13
Location : FSd
Re: Shrinking MM
My first Mel's Mix was deficient. I hadn't understood that the peat moss needed to be fluffed up before measuring so had double the amount in the mix than I was supposed to have.
I also used store bought compost in that mix and looking back, those composts weren't checked for peat moss content (can throw things off as well) and seemed pretty woody now that I know more what I'm doing.
It took a couple of seasons to bring that mix up to snuff and a lot of home made compost, but it's very healthy now. The number one thing I would encourage you to do is start creating your own compost if you can. When you control what goes into it you get better so much better results out of it!
Welcome to the forum
I also used store bought compost in that mix and looking back, those composts weren't checked for peat moss content (can throw things off as well) and seemed pretty woody now that I know more what I'm doing.
It took a couple of seasons to bring that mix up to snuff and a lot of home made compost, but it's very healthy now. The number one thing I would encourage you to do is start creating your own compost if you can. When you control what goes into it you get better so much better results out of it!
Welcome to the forum
Re: Shrinking MM
Hi Babblu! Welcome from Atlanta, GA. Mine shrank down quite a bit too. But I was expecting it...
Re: Shrinking MM
Your planting bed lowered because your vegetables "consumed" the compost. So just add more compost.
Mikesgardn- Posts : 286
Join date : 2010-03-09
Age : 61
Location : Elkridge, MD (zone 7a)
Re: Shrinking MM
My bed shrank 1 inch in a couple of months just from the MM settling. I did not have anything planted in it. After planting beans in it and letting them grow all summer, the bed sank another inch which was the result of the compost being "consumed by the vegetables" or just decaying more.
yolos- Posts : 4152
Join date : 2011-11-20
Age : 74
Location : Brooks, Ga Zone 7B/8A
Re: Shrinking MM
My beds also shrank quite a bit. Not only because of summer, but also because of my winter garden. I've stocked up on compost to fill the voids.yolos wrote:My bed shrank 1 inch in a couple of months just from the MM settling. I did not have anything planted in it. After planting beans in it and letting them grow all summer, the bed sank another inch which was the result of the compost being "consumed by the vegetables" or just decaying more.
Windmere- Posts : 1425
Join date : 2013-02-26
Age : 55
Location : Fayetteville, GA - Zone 7B - 8A
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