I attended but there were so many people I missed the color handout with pictures. However, I did get the one page black and white sheet explaining how to build a raised bed and what to put in it:
Materials:
2 - 5'x3'x1/2" cement backer boards
Simpson galvanized corner brackets (2 per corner)
1.25" concrete board screws tensioned to snug
Center of each side panel kept from bulging out from weight of medium by inserting a SS eye bolt and securing the width with a length of copper wire so sidewall is square
John Rozett prefers Duroc because it has nice rounded edges for the top of the boxes. Total cost should be $40-$50 per bed, and you will need a saw and blade to cut the cement board.
Fabrication: Cut the cement board in 2 pieces, one sheet makes 2 sides (18" x 5'). You can see how it all goes together if you look at the pictures on the facebook page posted here. I am not on facebook but was able to see them.
Soil mix:
They use 80% cinder and field soil blend (50% field soil and 50% screened black cinder) and 20% amendments including inoculated compost and Biochar. (I did not attend the Biochar seminar but I think there is more info on that too on the facebook page). They also supplement with EM concentrate as a drench, post planting.
Drainage:
1.5" washed gravel, 2" deep, covered with geotextile fabric and then the soil mix up to 2" from the top of the bed. Another inch of compost as top dressing is added and then watered.
Fertilizer: John likes to use Dolomite Ag 10 (calcium and mag carbonate), the Ag 65 is too fine. Also, no need to add lime to mix as there is lime in the cement board, but you should add lime to the center of the soil bed.
EM (Effective Microorganisms) was discussed in detail by Tim (he is shown in the pictures). He passed around a bottle of it, and says you can get it at garden supply stores - Rozetts will also bring it in soon. It is an aerobic and anaerobic bacteria mix, with bacteria mostly found in food we eat now (e.g. yeast, yoghurt) which promotes optimal soil conditions, destroys bad bacteria, breaks down overly salty chemical fertilizers, helps get rid of ants, and other bad pests in the soil. You can find more at
www.EMHawaii.com
There was also a long discussion on slugs and how dangerous they are if they leave their slime trail on your lettuce or greens. The illness caused if they are carring the rat lung disease is incurable and can be debilitating. Several methods of discouraging them were put forward:
1. putting pots with lettuce and greens on plastic tables and putting all 4 legs in trays of water large enough to create moats so the slugs won't cross
2. using copper tape around the raised boxes or pots
3. tangle foot - a glue like substance (I'm not sure I got the right detais, I guess you put it on the pot and the slugs can't cross??)
The copper tape must not be too oxydized, otherwise it won't be effective and the slugs will cross it. Clean copper reacts with their slime and they don't like it so won't cross it. Home Depot may carry copper tape but also copper roof flashing works. You can also order copper tape on line.
Tim also said he could build a platform out of used pallets to put a raised bed on, so you can garden while standing up and not have to bend over. I believe he offered his services and has a tool for sale to take pallets apart. I didn't get his his contact details but I'm sure Rozetts have them.
There were also some master gardeners there showing how to build a fruit fly trap, and handing out lures for a $2 donation. Rozetts had a trap hanging in a tree full of flies and confirmed they work. The female, if not caught, can ruin tomatoes and fruit (my tomatoes are growing finally so now I will protect them from these nasty pests!). They had a nice handout about how to make the traps and what fruitflies we have here. Their hotline number is 981-5199, M, T Fri from 9-12 only. They will answer any gardening question.
Janice Crowl was selling her book on container gardening. It's a lovely book. She has a blog which also has lots of info on gardening
www.hawaiigardening.blogspot.com She also discusses gardening techniques and has tips and information.
It was an excellent seminar and I hope to be able to attend the next one they have. I hope they arrange more chairs and more rain cover because some of us had to stand and use umbrellas, but I don't think they expected such a turnout!
