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Re: Public compost/Ammending Clay Soil

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On 01:08 PM 6/11/01, Symeon wrote:

 >"joseph c. perrotti" <perrotti@internetcds.com> writes:
 >> My very favorite way to start new beds is to mark off the area and
 >> dump about 3-6 inches of moderatly old horse manure on top.  Come
 >> back 6 months later turn the bed.  The awful clay soil we have is
 >> fluffy and workable.
 >
 >To which I have to say: Wow!  Really?  Not to impugn anyone's
 >integrity, just that it sounds too good to be true -- but I do hope
 >it's so!  I have hard / heavy soil (depending upon season: either slop
 >or concrete), and this would sure be an easy (as well as photogenic ;>
 >) way to change things around -- albeit a smallish patch at a time.
 >
 >I have access to fresh horse manure: I presume that if I just pile it
 >on and wait a bit longer than the above "6 months" it will have gone
 >through the "moderately old" stage at some point?

I suspect the first person has success, and you will not have quite the 
same success (now), if the first person is in an area where there are 
periodic rains all summer long.  Based on your description of your soil, 
you are in an area where the soil gets dry, real dry, for months at a time 
(such as where I am, in Silicon Valley in Northern California, where we 
rarely get more than 1/2 inch of rain in any month from May through October).

To get the same success, your manure (and ground) probably need regular 
water for the 6 months.  This means either you wait till October to put 
down your manure (and then wait 6 months), or that you put it down now, but 
water 1 or 2 times a week until the rains start, and then turn it under 
when you want to plant (after 6 months have elapsed).

Also, the deeper the layer of manure, the better (compost pile).  If you 
can put down a 2 foot deep layer for 6 months, and then use the excess 
composted manure elsewhere to improve your workable soil, that will be more 
successful than just putting down a thin layer of fresh manure.  While you 
are at it, add some worms.

HTH

jc


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