How do you treat soil.
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Tania Spencer
Apr 24, 2009, 12:02:00 PM4/24/09
to 21st Century Plowshare
Hello my Green Thumb friends,
My front yard is pitiful. I plan to plant flowers and greenery but I
know that the soil needs treatment. My husband is going to home depot
later to pick up weed killer and fertilizer. Is this how you treat
soil? I'm a complete novice. The last time I planted something was
in 5th grade for a science class. lol
Tania
My front yard is pitiful. I plan to plant flowers and greenery but I
know that the soil needs treatment. My husband is going to home depot
later to pick up weed killer and fertilizer. Is this how you treat
soil? I'm a complete novice. The last time I planted something was
in 5th grade for a science class. lol
Tania
Sam Pardo
Apr 25, 2009, 2:44:47 PM4/25/09
to 21st Century Plowshare
Tania,
Most of the classes I've taken on gardening deal with containers and
raised beds because the rule of thumb in an urban setting is never
trust the in ground soil.
The instructor of my latest class told me that she actually dug up and
removed the top 3 ft. of soil and replaced it in order to plant in
ground, and that it was very difficult and she wouldn't recommend it
to anyone.,
I would say that you should just turn over the top 20 in. or so (about
two spades deep) and ammend it with some compost. As long as your not
planting edibles things should be fine.
... I'm also an amateur but dont' quote me. The famous quote I get
from all the instructors is "plants live in spite of what we do to
them, not what we do for them."
Most of the classes I've taken on gardening deal with containers and
raised beds because the rule of thumb in an urban setting is never
trust the in ground soil.
The instructor of my latest class told me that she actually dug up and
removed the top 3 ft. of soil and replaced it in order to plant in
ground, and that it was very difficult and she wouldn't recommend it
to anyone.,
I would say that you should just turn over the top 20 in. or so (about
two spades deep) and ammend it with some compost. As long as your not
planting edibles things should be fine.
... I'm also an amateur but dont' quote me. The famous quote I get
from all the instructors is "plants live in spite of what we do to
them, not what we do for them."
Deborah
Apr 25, 2009, 2:58:28 PM4/25/09
to 21st Century Plowshare
Hey all,
I'm no expert either, but have been having pretty good luck building
up soil and improving soil quality by sheet mulching:
1. lay down composted manure, food scraps (no meat or dairy) and other
compostables in a nice thick layer (more than 3")
2. cover that layer of compost and scraps with another inch or two of
cardboard (any plain cardboard, no glossy inks)
3. repeat until you've gotten rid of your materials, like building a
lasagna. One layer of each is OK if you want to just amend your front
yard. If you want to build a whole raised bed, you can keep up this
layering process.
4. On top of that, put straw, wood chips, or some other kind of nice-
looking mulch
Then wait. The cardboard and food scraps will compost nicely and make
nice rich soil. Next year you'll be good to go--all your weed seed
will be dead because you covered it in cardboard for a year. No
pesticides, which is great for the environment. And because you didn't
rely on chemical fertilizers, you don't wind up with imbalances and
other problems with your soil.
It's an inexpensive solution, and you're killing two birds with one
stone. By composting your food scraps, you're getting less garbage in
the landfill, by using it!
Here's a good blog about composting: http://www.compostguy.com/
I'm no expert either, but have been having pretty good luck building
up soil and improving soil quality by sheet mulching:
1. lay down composted manure, food scraps (no meat or dairy) and other
compostables in a nice thick layer (more than 3")
2. cover that layer of compost and scraps with another inch or two of
cardboard (any plain cardboard, no glossy inks)
3. repeat until you've gotten rid of your materials, like building a
lasagna. One layer of each is OK if you want to just amend your front
yard. If you want to build a whole raised bed, you can keep up this
layering process.
4. On top of that, put straw, wood chips, or some other kind of nice-
looking mulch
Then wait. The cardboard and food scraps will compost nicely and make
nice rich soil. Next year you'll be good to go--all your weed seed
will be dead because you covered it in cardboard for a year. No
pesticides, which is great for the environment. And because you didn't
rely on chemical fertilizers, you don't wind up with imbalances and
other problems with your soil.
It's an inexpensive solution, and you're killing two birds with one
stone. By composting your food scraps, you're getting less garbage in
the landfill, by using it!
Here's a good blog about composting: http://www.compostguy.com/
Bryan Quinn
May 3, 2009, 10:31:51 PM5/3/09
to 21st Century Plowshare
Tania,
I don't disagree any of what has been said in response to your post,
but would like to add the following:
The first step to diagnosing the health of your soil is to make a soil
test. Take a few different samples form different spots (remember
where the spots are by making a little map) and send the samples off
to a soil testing lab. I like to use the Cornell Extension Program.
You can go to this website:
http://cnal.cals.cornell.edu/forms/SubmissionForms.aspx#Soil
You will want to print out "Form H", which is the form you fill out to
get soil tested for home gardens.
About two weeks later they will send you a report that breaks down
what types of nutrients you soil will need, lead levels, etc... with
this in hand you will have a much better handle on what you need to
do. If you took multiple samples you may find that different sections
of the area sampled need different amendments.
If you need help interpreting and coming up with what we call in the
business a :"soil management plan" don't hesitate to contact me... I
do this type of work professionally and would be happy to assist for
no charge.
I don't disagree any of what has been said in response to your post,
but would like to add the following:
The first step to diagnosing the health of your soil is to make a soil
test. Take a few different samples form different spots (remember
where the spots are by making a little map) and send the samples off
to a soil testing lab. I like to use the Cornell Extension Program.
You can go to this website:
http://cnal.cals.cornell.edu/forms/SubmissionForms.aspx#Soil
You will want to print out "Form H", which is the form you fill out to
get soil tested for home gardens.
About two weeks later they will send you a report that breaks down
what types of nutrients you soil will need, lead levels, etc... with
this in hand you will have a much better handle on what you need to
do. If you took multiple samples you may find that different sections
of the area sampled need different amendments.
If you need help interpreting and coming up with what we call in the
business a :"soil management plan" don't hesitate to contact me... I
do this type of work professionally and would be happy to assist for
no charge.
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