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Re: Soil depth

Duncan McAlpine wrote:
> 
> What is the recommended soil depth for a sucessful veggie garden?
> --
Assuming "soil depth" refers to the thickness of the topsoil layer, it
should be as deep as the expected root penetration of the crop you plan
to grow plus any additional needed for drainage which would depend on
the sand-silt-clay ratios and the depth of any hard pan like the caliche
layers of the arid western US.  For long rooted vegetables like parsnips
and Imperator carrots, 12 inches should be deep enough - somewhat less
for shallow-rooted varieties.

There's a "double-digging" method that seems to be a little
controversial as to whether it's beneficial or detrimental.  It probably
depends on the soil texture.  The method involves removing the top layer
termed the "A Horizon", loosening the first subsoil layer (B Horizon)
down to the parent material (C Horizon), then replacing the topsoil. 
One variation is to mix the top soil with the subsoil and add compost. 
In our desert clay soils, the subsoil is loaded with calcium carbonate
(lime) and should not be brought up into the rooting area.

Olin Miller <millero@worldnet.att.net>
USDA Zone 9b, Sunset Zone 13
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