Square Metre Gardening

Iolarwood

I'm about to try Square Metre Gardening (sometimes called Square Foot Gardening) and wondering if anybody who has tried it has any advice. It's a technique for growing smaller amounts of (mostly) edible produce and in small areas without heavy work or much in the way of chemicals.

Critical to success, apparently, is the use of the right growing mix (peat moss, garden compost and vermiculite). Vermiculite seems to be difficult - and expensive - to come by, especially the medium or coarse grade recommended. Garden centres have expensive fine grade in small bags.

Does anybody have a source of vermiculite that's not too expensive? I gather that vermiculite is also used to insulate around chimney flues and may be far cheaper bought in a heating supply shop. Does anybody know if this type is suitable to use as a growing medium or might it contain harmful substances?

Any other advice also welcome on SMG

Supercell

I wouldn't get hung up on the vermiculate. Just mix some compost or dung in with regular soil and give it a go. If your soil is very heavy and wet maybe mix in some horticultural sand (available in any woodies for example) to help drainage.
I see you can get 100litre bags of vermiculate if you really want that much here - http://www.johnstowngardencentre.ie/p/vermiculite/vermiculite10
Have a look on youtube , loads of videos of the subject. You're first time is going to have a lot of trial and error and will be greatly rewarding either way. I would worry about the finer points of it all next year once you have the experience under your belt.

My Potatoes

I haven't read the books but I did watch a video on YouTube. It's just raised bed gardening for slow learners.

Iolarwood

Thanks Supercell & My Potatoes. I've done a bit of traditional growing years ago and indeed it is very rewarding but I'm curious to try this guys method. He bangs on about using coarse vermiculite rather than fine, which is what the garden centres tend to stock.

Did a bit of further research and the chimney/insulation type and find it is also used horticulturally - http://www.dupreminerals.com/downloads/applications/guide-horticulture.pdf

And found it here for €28 per 100 L - http://www.stovecentre.ie/product.php?id_product=191

It's an experiment - not a lot to be lost so I'll give it a go. If it's success, I'll report back

My Potatoes

Make sure you wet the vermiculite before handling it. It sometimes contains asbestos and other dust which should not be inhaled.

redser7

Supercell wrote: »

I wouldn't get hung up on the vermiculate. Just mix some compost or dung in with regular soil and give it a go. If your soil is very heavy and wet maybe mix in some horticultural sand (available in any woodies for example) to help drainage.
I see you can get 100litre bags of vermiculate if you really want that much here - http://www.johnstowngardencentre.ie/p/vermiculite/vermiculite10
Have a look on youtube , loads of videos of the subject. You're first time is going to have a lot of trial and error and will be greatly rewarding either way. I would worry about the finer points of it all next year once you have the experience under your belt.

+ 1. I really wouldn't get hung up on the vermiculite. Condition the soil with compost or manure, also grass clippings, chopped weeds, cardboard. These will also act as a mulch keeping in soil moisture.