When I did mine - I just put my frames on top of my row garden soil. No Peat, NO Vermiculite, NO Compost. Just good ol' garden soil. I still have a bag of peat I never used. Peat also tends to be acidic.

If you haven't done a soil test - I would start there, then you will know what you 'need' to ad.

I was trying to get Mel's mix as close as possible. If I wait a week I will probably get my vermiculite, just anxious to get the boxes filled. My soil isn't as good as Mel's so I do want to beef it up somewhat.

lowraine...thats one of the great things about Mels system. The original book had a whole chapter devoted to the soil. The new book says just mix the stuff together and dont worry about it. If there are things that wont grow in the SFG, I dont know what they are, and I have never tested my soil-ever. Everything you want to plant and chow down on will grow..its as simple as that...has your vermiculite showed up yet?

I would just wait... You don't want to get a crappy mix and then ruin your entire garden because you were a little impatient!