Comments on: eBook review – Cinder Block Gardens http://happyfarming.com/2008/12/31/ebook-review-cinder-block-gardens/ How to Grow Your Own Food Sun, 20 May 2012 14:36:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Thomas W. http://happyfarming.com/2008/12/31/ebook-review-cinder-block-gardens/#comment-74316 Thomas W. Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:19:33 +0000 http://happyfarming.com/?p=118#comment-74316 @John: I searched the Cinder Block Gardens ebook to find out if Dolomite was mentioned. It wasn't but I found something about pH: "I don’t have the time for soil tests, figuring out pH, deciding on what type of fertilizer to add if something is missing. When I want to grow some vegetables, I want to go out to the garden and plant." and "The compost feeds the soil, microbes and worms, the sand keep the water from drowning the plants and allows proper air flow to the roots and the humus retains moisture for the plants to have a consistent place to get a drink. I don’t have to add any extra ingredients, no pH tests, I don’t have to figure out what type of soil I have...I know, because I made it! This is easy gardening for a busy person." It looks like some people are able to get the results they want, but I would measure the pH level too, like you recommend. Preferably with my small garden computer ;-) (I don't know if it's even possible to do electronically, but it would be a cool thing to add to my temperature/moisture logging system). Thanks for the tip about Jon E. Hughes. I'll head over to YouTube and see if I can find a good video to share. And Happy New Year - may it bring you plenty of great veggies! :-D @John: I searched the Cinder Block Gardens ebook to find out if Dolomite was mentioned. It wasn’t but I found something about pH:

“I don’t have the time for soil tests, figuring out pH, deciding on what type of fertilizer to add if something is missing. When I want to grow some vegetables, I want to go out to the garden and plant.”

and

“The compost feeds the soil, microbes and worms, the sand keep the water from drowning the plants and allows proper air flow to the roots and the humus retains moisture for the plants to have a consistent place to get a drink. I don’t have to add any extra ingredients, no pH tests, I don’t have to figure out what type of soil I have…I know, because I made it! This is easy gardening for a busy person.”

It looks like some people are able to get the results they want, but I would measure the pH level too, like you recommend. Preferably with my small garden computer ;-) (I don’t know if it’s even possible to do electronically, but it would be a cool thing to add to my temperature/moisture logging system).

Thanks for the tip about Jon E. Hughes. I’ll head over to YouTube and see if I can find a good video to share.

And Happy New Year – may it bring you plenty of great veggies! :-D

]]> By: John P http://happyfarming.com/2008/12/31/ebook-review-cinder-block-gardens/#comment-67218 John P Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:17:17 +0000 http://happyfarming.com/?p=118#comment-67218 May I add a note the the comment on Mel Bartholomew's book on SFG. The mix referred to in the book is missing one crucial element: Dolomite (or, Dolomitic Lime). He mentions it as a side note, but too often I have been into these little Mom-n-Pop garden stores to see them selling all the things you need to do it "correctly" according to the book, only to hear how frustrated people are when they get home and the resulting crop is weak. I am a Mississippi Master Gardener, and out of experience I will tell you that Ph of the soil is as critical as the Big-3 (NPK). Without the correct Ph, your plants can't absorb the nutrients in the soil, if they even grow at all. Be sure to check it a couple times a year. You can get some very inexpensive, acceptable test kits at your local garden store, or send in a soil sample to your local County Extension Service office for detailed analysis. PS. If you look on youtube you could look up a gentleman by the name of Jon E Hughes who has a VERY impressive cinder block garden and offers tons of advice and detailed videos of every step of the way. Highly recommended viewing! Hope this helps. :) May I add a note the the comment on Mel Bartholomew’s book on SFG. The mix referred to in the book is missing one crucial element: Dolomite (or, Dolomitic Lime). He mentions it as a side note, but too often I have been into these little Mom-n-Pop garden stores to see them selling all the things you need to do it “correctly” according to the book, only to hear how frustrated people are when they get home and the resulting crop is weak. I am a Mississippi Master Gardener, and out of experience I will tell you that Ph of the soil is as critical as the Big-3 (NPK). Without the correct Ph, your plants can’t absorb the nutrients in the soil, if they even grow at all. Be sure to check it a couple times a year. You can get some very inexpensive, acceptable test kits at your local garden store, or send in a soil sample to your local County Extension Service office for detailed analysis.
PS. If you look on youtube you could look up a gentleman by the name of Jon E Hughes who has a VERY impressive cinder block garden and offers tons of advice and detailed videos of every step of the way. Highly recommended viewing!
Hope this helps. :)

]]> By: Thomas W. http://happyfarming.com/2008/12/31/ebook-review-cinder-block-gardens/#comment-16333 Thomas W. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:00:57 +0000 http://happyfarming.com/?p=118#comment-16333 @Vince: Thank you for the tip about Mel Bartholomew's book. I see lots of references to "SFG", and he's also on my list from 2009: http://happyfarming.com/2009/05/17/top-50-food-growing-people/ @Vince: Thank you for the tip about Mel Bartholomew’s book. I see lots of references to “SFG”, and he’s also on my list from 2009: http://happyfarming.com/2009/05/17/top-50-food-growing-people/

]]> By: Vince http://happyfarming.com/2008/12/31/ebook-review-cinder-block-gardens/#comment-16160 Vince Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:29:11 +0000 http://happyfarming.com/?p=118#comment-16160 I considered buying this book but have decided I can figure it out on my own. I too use raised beds (wood) for years and will now go to concrete block (split face) for a more permanent landscaped structure. In your general review and in particular the portion of what you 'didnt like' about this book I note, between the lines, you may be familiar with Mel Bartholemews instructions in "Square Foot Gardening". In my view he is the father or modern urban gardening. It would be my recommendation to any gardener novice or otherwise to have his book has the basis from which all backyard gardening should be based. What ever materials you choose to use to construction your garden, his phylosophy should be at the center. I considered buying this book but have decided I can figure it out on my own. I too use raised beds (wood) for years and will now go to concrete block (split face) for a more permanent landscaped structure. In your general review and in particular the portion of what you ‘didnt like’ about this book I note, between the lines, you may be familiar with Mel Bartholemews instructions in “Square Foot Gardening”. In my view he is the father or modern urban gardening. It would be my recommendation to any gardener novice or otherwise to have his book has the basis from which all backyard gardening should be based. What ever materials you choose to use to construction your garden, his phylosophy should be at the center.

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