RE: soil make-up
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: RE: soil make-up
- From: M* N* <M*@optiosoftware.com>
- Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 09:21:10 -0500
Joe,
I think you will be much better off creating a more even mix of
soil/compost. Pure compost does not have the drainage capabilities you
need. Also, I think pure composted manure has a bit higher ph level than
what is considered 'ideal'. Is your soil high in clay content? If so,
mix in some sand to loosen it up. I add about 4 cubic yards of composted
manure per plant per season. I also grow a crop of annual rye of the
winter. The aggressive root system of the rye also does wonders for
loosening up your soil. In May, I till it under, adding more organic
sontent to the soil. A good organic mix will help the soil retain water
but don't overdue it. I believe these two things, soil conditioning and
water retention, are the biggest reasons growers use compost. I think
most of the actual n-p-k fertilization comes from the chemical
fertilizers being used. Compost is rated at only about .5-.5-.5.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mills, Joe [SMTP:MillsJ@doaks.org]
> Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 1998 10:41 AM
> To: 'pumpkins@mallorn.com.'
> Subject: soil make-up
>
> With a title like this I am sure a few jokes will come my way but I
> have
> a serious ( well not that serious) question to ask here. My patch is
> about 1300 sq. ft. The soil is 12 inches of composted leaves plus
> manure
> and thats it. Would there be any sensible reason to till some of the
> soil that lies beneath this sea of organic material up into the bed? I
> see Marv Meisner and Chris Anderson talking about the proportion of
> organic material in their soils but how does one view soil that is
> l00%
> organic. Are there key elements that I am missing here with strictly
> organic matter?
>
> Joe Mills
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