The history of the Food for Everyone Foundation

For the past 40 years and continuing into the foreseeable future, many thousands of hours of research, clinical and field experimentation have been conducted in 75 research, teaching, and demonstration projects in more than 20 countries throughout the world - including conditions from sea level to 7,300' elevation, the equator to 54 degrees North latitude and 25 degrees South latitude. Soil types encountered have included virtually everything from straight sand to hard clay; PH has ranged from 4.4 to 8.9; and rainfall has varied from 8" to 140". This base of experience gives the foundation a unique ability to broadly replicate past successes into many more countries and locations.

Historically, approximately 3,000 students have been trained in 75 projects, with limited materials and meager funding.

Previous projects have been in Russian commonwealth countries, Latvia, four nations in Africa, Mexico, Honduras, Trinidad & Tobago, FIJI, Tonga, Okinawa, Papua New Guinea, New Britain, Canada, and the USA, plus others. The foundation's goal is to expand the program worldwide.

Help whats wrong with my sustainable mittledier garden?

Jim,
It took me awhile to check this and get back...on the www.growfood.com website it does recommend the 50 percent blowsand to 50 percent peat moss as an option for custom-made soil, so if that is incorrect, it should be changed. I bought the pipes already drilled, so I am not sure what size the holes are. I am trying the suggestion that I place landscape cloth under the pipes. It seems to be working so far.
Thanks,
Wendy

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In answer to Wendy's questions about watering in the Grow-Boxes:

The first mistake you made was in the % of peatmoss to sand. We
always tell folks to use at least 2/3 peat or other organic material -
and as much as 75%. 50% sand allows the water to drain too
quickly. So the first thing I would do, if possible, is add more
peat, sawdust, or perlite.

The next thing to look at is the size of your holes in the PVC pipe.
Did you use a #57 drill bit? Sometimes people ignore the
instructions in this ragard, thinking that a 1/16th inch bit is ok,
but it is not! A #57 bit is only .042" in diameter, as compared
to .0625" for a 1/16th. This allows far more water to come out, and
at greater force.

Either or both of those conditions could explain your percieved
problem. If neither of those are the reasons, write again and we'll
take another look at it