Has Anyone Tried the Mittleider Method?

[Calista]

Apologies if my search didn't show any threads that are already devoted to this topic.

If I understand this concept correctly, his gardening method focuses on vertical growth, low but focused watering, and high nutrient infusions. His raised beds are soilless! (One-third sand-and two-thirds sawdust, resting on regular soil.)

http://growfood.com/
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/mittleider-garden-method.htm

I would love some feedback from anyone who has tried this approach. Did it work to increase yields?

 

[CrealCritter]

Nah never tried any of that new fangled gardening methods. If I increase my yields anymore my wife might become allergic to canning all together. She already told me last year she was allergic to tomatoes this is the first picking from 2 1/2 of 6 rows last year.

 

[Calista]

Nah never tried any of that new fangled gardening methods. If I increase my yields anymore my wife might become allergic to canning all together. She already told me last year she was allergic to tomatoes this is the first picking from 2 1/2 of 6 rows last year. View attachment 6171

You should copyright YOUR method!

 

[Calista]

Tortoise, I work mainly with a bunch of various-sized raised beds which produce PLENTY for two people and a flock of chickens. I follow a lot of Permies advice, use compost and mulch, and am a big fan of rock dust for mineral supplementation.

Britesea, you were right. Here's the pros and cons discussed on another site:

ADVANTAGES:

• Closer plant spacing allows for more plants in less area
• The vertical growth of the plant maximizes light availability
• In theory, this method uses little water as only the root systems are to be watered
• Soil mixture and nutrients can be stored long-term
• Works for any conditions or climate
• It is promoted that it can be used by any skill level
• This method can be adapted in parts to be utilized with other methods
• Soil nutrient depletion and crop rotation can be avoided

DISADVANTAGES:

• Obtaining the structural requirements, specific growing substrate and fertilizers could be a financial and transport issue for many people
• The gardens are not portable if used to the method specifications
• This method is claimed to be organic, however, it is widely discussed online that the structural materials, substrates, and feeding solutions are not organic
• The garden beds need to be constantly maintained with the plant feeding mixture, it is not a set and forget method

https://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/the-mittleider-gardening-method-explained/

So I'm kinda scratching my head as to why any reasonably proficient organic gardener would bother with this method. Oh, well, just curious as to whether any of you had tried it.

 

[Chic Rustler]

I haven't.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I'd never heard of it until just now. Interesting! I'll be doing some more reading. Thanks for posting!

 

[CrealCritter]

You should copyright YOUR method!

I don't think you can copyright tee-posts and baling twine

 

[Britesea]

I looked into the Mittleider Method, but I didn't like his dependence on commercial fertilizers instead of compost. Some of his ideas sounded good though; I'm still thinking about his ideas on automatic watering and such.

 

[tortoise]

Am I understanding right? It's like hydroponic sorta, using a sand/perlite/sawdust medium? Because the plants are getting nutrients from the liquid rather than the soil?

 

[tortoise]

I can't imagine doing it on a large scale. My garden is big and ugly (weedy!) and produces fine. Sometimes a crop fails, but overall I struggle to get it all preserved. We end up feeding a lot to chickens, goats, and sheep. I'm more for labor-saving practices over a large space, rather than more intensive small space practices. I have plenty space, but labor is a hard limit! Only so much I can do!