Preparation - almost complete

Big project ahead of us today. To keep the mix from getting contaminated, we spread a large tarp out on our driveway in the shade. Because the one batch would be too hard to mix, we divided every thing in half.

Tom is sorting the bags. Following is the recipe for "Mel's Mix". 1/3 compost (mixture of 5 kinds) 8 cu. ft.

1/3 vermiculite 7 1/2 to 8 cu. ft.

1/3 peat moss 8 cu. ft.

We are using the book "All New Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew

First the compost is poured out then mixed thoroughly.

Next a bag of vermiculite is poured over the top and raked in thoroughly.

Another way to help mix is to lift the tarp alternately on the sides and kind of rolling it around.

To make is easier to mix in the peat moss (which comes compacted), we spread the first two ingredients out in a large area, then Tom poured it over the top. It came out in large chunks so we broke it up with a rake and our hands.

Breaking up the chunks.

Final product ready to be put in the garden wagon and taken to the back yard.

The tipping feature of the wagon made it easy to add the mix to the box.

This first wagon load only filled about 1/3 of the box.

While Tom got more mix, I watered down what was in the box. We did this in three loads, watering between each load.

This shows Tom bringing back the last needed load to finish the first box.

Dorothy was looking for shade by this time as it was really getting hot outside in the sun. This is the second box getting thoroughly watered down.

Finally have one box ready for planting. A one foot grid was made from strapping tape, but I think lathe would be better. Probably change it in the future.

Going to take a day off and study the book and decide what to plant first. Found a good list in today's paper and also one on the internet for low desert planting and harvesting.