Re: Improving the Soil--a BUNCH of questions!
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Improving the Soil--a BUNCH of questions!
- From: P* H*
- Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 19:14:01 EST
In a message dated 01/24/2001 5:57:14 PM Central Standard Time,
ColumbusGardener@AOL.COM writes:
<<
One last thing, though some plants will do fine in heavy clay or adverse
growing conditions, a gardeners main objective would be to create an
environment that would let a plant THRIVE. Right?
>>
I would say I was about a 10 percent of the way there. But still trying.
I have given up on making better soil- I make raised beds now, more cost but
it seems to be less strain on me.
Marge -I do not even want to think about you out there double bagging in the
dirt-causes me pain just thinking about someone else doing it. ( now my back
is hurting remembering all the trips with the wheelbarrow)
Two years ago I bug out four areas -- 12-18 inches deep and haled away the
clay and replaced it with some "good" soil. It's some nice stuff, a little
bit on the peaty/organic side but with some fertilizer it does me proud.
Last year every thing was raised beds-used brick (costs money) and railroad
ties.
The raised beds are 8-10 inches off the "Normal" soil. Were there were
problems with perennial weeds- I put down landscape fabric first.
I like a soil were I can plant and dig without using the shovel-and it was
not going to happen with the any of the older soil.
In a couple of years the Hosta in the new beds will be as large as the ones
in the old pure clay beds.
Paul
