The vermiculite was a challenge to find, but after an online search I found a gardening center a few towns over that carries it. Compost was also surprisingly difficult to find, especially since one should use compost from various sources. I found one type at the center from which I bought the vermiculite. Then I went to Wal-Mart, and the 16-year-old kid I asked at their garden center didn't know what compost was. I found another variety at Lowe's. I laid a table cloth down and mixed it all together, with the whole family getting into the action:
I made just enough mix for the six self-watering containers I constructed. I was impressed with how my seedlings had done, growing inside with just sparse sunlight in a window sill. My only disappointment was the lettuce, which seemed to shoot up quickly but then fall over and die. The tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants did well inside though. For protection of the garden, I used the baby play yard gate we no longer use:
The picture above was taken the weekend of May 7th when I planted the garden. I thought I was safe with the weather since it was a week after the average last frost, and we were enjoying seventy degree days. However, the next week we were hit with some nights getting down into the thirties. I moved the garden inside the shed two of the nights (not a fun task), but I think the third night frost-bit the plants. Since then, most leaves have turned yellow and fallen off, though a few of the plants seem to be doing okay. I may need to buy plants from the store to replace the failing ones.
Another concern is that there is not much sun for these plants, so I am unsure that I will get good results even if I plant new freshly store-bought ones. I will try anyway. I figured this year would be mostly for learning anyway.
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