Jim:
I too had a problem getting vermiculite here in Houston. There was no way that I was going to pay that much in small bags for as much as I needed. I then got a tip to look for it under insulation as used in new construction. I found a local firm that sold it in very large bags for $7.50 each, cash. My 10 bags totally filled up the back of my F-150 pickup truck.
You can get your materials from salvage. My raised beds came from my fencing that was blown down by Hurricane Ike. The size of my beds are 6′ by 3′ since the recovered fence boards were six feet long. The beds are 15 inches deep.
The time to start is now! The near future may be too late. Start small and build more as you get the experience and practice. Square foot method is indeed a great start for putting your garden together. The recipe in the book is great to use as your starting base. Over the years you can add more compost, earthworms, and whatever to improve your soil. Seed saving is your responsibility, just use the book as a resource and guide. – Ken L.
JWR Replies: I must add one proviso. Do not accept any offers of any “used” vermiculite insulation from buildings that are being torn down. Up until 1990, one of the nation’s largest vermiculite mines up in Montana produced countless tons of vermiculite that were contaminated by asbestos. That vermiculite from that mine was shipped all over the country.