If you've bought Mel's Mix...Help!

Hi,
I've started SFGing recently, but my plants are not doing so well...they just don't seem to be growing. I mixed my soil, but could only find 3 different composts instead of the recommended 5. I'm going to try and salvage some of my plants by adding an organic fertilizer, but would like to start some more SFG boxes using the pre-made Mel's Mix.

My Lowe's doesn't currently carry Mel's Mix, but told me that if I could get the UPC code off a bag, they would order it for me. So could someone look on their bag of Mel's Mix and send me the UPC code, please? It's the 12 digit # located under the bar-code right on the bag.

Not giving up on SFGing!

Thanks so much,
Rhonda

I wonder if you call SFG they will give you the barcode number.

Kinda silly that they told you that since it is one of their products. Whether that store carries it or not.
I looked it up on the Lowes website and the soil is called;
Garden Time, Ready to Use, Square Foot Garden Soil 2 cu foot bag.
Item # 308781
Model # GT 11670
The Lowes around here dont sell it either. It would be nice for topping off SFG's or for potted plants or such. I hope this helps you.

Rhonda, the first square foot bed we built and filled this year had the same problem -- everything SULKED. The plants didn't die, they just sat there and stared at us. We finally used some Gardens Alive (organic) fertilizer, and they jumped to life overnight.

The compost mix had to be the problem with that first bed, since the next one we filled had a slightly different blend, and everything planted in it thrived from day one. The peat moss and vermiculite were identical, as were the proportions.

You might be able to solve your bed's problems for this growing season by using some of the organic fertilizer you mentioned. Is this a fertilizer you have used before and can depend upon? The reason I ask is that there are some great organic fertilizers and some that are not worth the powder to blow 'em to you-know-where.

I just heard back from Lowes...after checking, they said that although other Lowes are selling Garden Time (proper name for Mel's Mix!) that my local store (& others in my area) would not be able to get it because the regional suppliers do not have it available to ship.

I did pick up some organic fertilizer this morning...it's made by Miracle Gro...not sure if that's a good thing or not, since I've never used it...I guess I should have asked/waited for recommendations. But I'll go ahead and put it on my pitiful plants later this afternoon when it cools off and I can water it in. I guess it can't hurt!

I do appreciate all your input, and if anyone knows of another way I can get the Garden Time (Mel's Mix) I'm open to suggestions! I'd much rather use that if at all possible.

Thanks,
Rhonda

I am from NJ and was unable to get Mel's Mix., therefore we purchased the peat moss, compost (only bought 3 kinds) and vermiculite and mixed it ourselves.

It has worked out for us tremendously.

I think purchasing the organic fertilizer will help. Are you watering enough?

Best of luck.

Happy Gardening everyone.....

Yes, I've been very careful to not let the plants get dry at all. I think I just didn't get enough quality compost. They just seemed to sit there for days, not growing and their leaves looking less and less green...sad little plants!

I did put the organic fertilizer on them late yesterday...and I honestly think they look better today already. Is it possible that the fertilizer would begin to make a difference in just 24 hours? I guess I'll know for sure in a couple of days. I'll keep everyone posted

Thanks for your input,
Rhonda

I believe there are two main reasons Mel says minimum of 5 types (yes, I completely understand that for some of you that just can't happen. Not lecturing, promise!)

One is that if you had homegrown compost ready and waiting, it would have a wide variety of contents, and therefore a wide spectrum of nutrients for the plants.

Second reason is that with purchased compost, there is not guarantee of quality. My compost that "contains bat guano and earthworm castings" is beautiful and the plants are happy, but there is absolutely no information (or rules or regulations) about how much bat or worm poop has to be in there. And last year I bought some stuff that wasn't very good at all.

So hang in, and good luck with additives.