I actually have three decent sized veggie beds but I feel like I have worn the soil out over the years. Right now I have three beds that are approximately 8x25. What I'd like to do is reduce them down to 4x4 beds that could be worked from the outside. The way they are situated I think the rain run off is stealing the good soil. When I redo them they will be higher. So what I am thinking....I'd like to maybe only use 2-3 of the 4x4 beds this year and work on improving the others for next year. For the most part, our soil is clay. I do mix in leaves, shredded ornamental grasses, composted purchased manure, baled mosses, etc. I guess my space is just too big for what I am adding. So what would be the best things to add to these new beds? I probably don't have enough time for a good compost to get going so will have to add purchased materials.
Super Soil-need a small amount fast!
Darn, are you all stumped, uninterested or do you think I am just being lazy?? LOL Really, I am not lazy. :) I'm seven months prego, work at night and I am really, really missing the taste of fresh tomatoes! The last two years they have rebelled against my soil. I NEED TOMATOES!!! I also need peppers, and onions and garlic and....well, you get the picture. LOL
Okay, let me tune up my post a little. Tell me, if you have clay soil, what ammendments have you added that make the biggest difference quickly, not months down the road?
Hi old friend! As you know I have clay soil too. I use rotted horse manure which I have by the truckload- you are very welcome to bring a truck to my house. I use pine shavings for bedding so the compost like pile is a perfect mix for our very heavy soil. If that is not do-able, do like I do when I run out of compost- call the local tree trimmers. They will bring a load- usually anywhere from 5 yards to 14 yards ($40.00)- of tree chips or better yet stump grindings. These are slightly more expensive than plain chipped trees, but they are much smaller particles so they break down faster. Since our soil is very heavy this works perfect! I add a nice balanced fert. to the soil just in case the nitrogen problem people have mentioned is true. I have never seen a problem caused by adding wood to the soil, but better safe than sorry. If you do want the manure you had better invest in very sturdy cages for those tomatoes! LOL!
Davena
Humus,lots and lots of humus!!!!
Bags of composted manure!!!
Did I say humus lots of humus!!!
I take everything from my garden shred and place on the beds to overwinter.Compost it right in the beds!
You need to grow a winter crop rye grass or australian peas
to put some organic nitrogen back in the soil,a good manure crop for the beds.Need to put back the nutrients you use during the summer.
Chele, how bout going with the lasagna method and layering you ammendments on top of the soil.... It's easy on the back ;) You can use bales of straw, grass clippings, leaves, peat moss, manure and what ever else you might be able to come up with.
Badseed try to find some one with rabbits or goats and put some under your tomatoes and you can use your bad soil this year and let the horse manure age till fall and then till it in
Gee, look at the dates! I am finally catching up on old threads. I want to thank you for your suggestions. I got out last weekend to start reworking the beds. For now I am changing them to be 24' long and 4' deep. That will allow me to work them and plant them without stepping in them. I can also reuse the bricks for the fronts and permanent walkways. Dealing with hills is such fun! LOL We have been shredding all the ornamental grasses (that don't self sow) along with tree branches, fall collected leaves, etc. I am going to purchase some ammendments for the top bed and plant it this year and plan to layer and add to the other 2-3 beds until next spring. I think the soil just got tired so I am giving it the year off. :)
I think if you inform the goverment, they will pay you for not planting your crops!!!LOL!Thats why you see so many bare fields lately!!
ROTF Sad but true! Gee, for a minute I thought I'd click on here and it would be you offering to come help! HA! Now if I could just get my baby to sleep longer than an hour at a time.....
Pepperment snobs!!!!!LOL!
If it doesn't work you drink it!!!!
LOL Umm, probably better for me. ;)
I'm sure you could use the extra sleep also!!!
Oh how I remember those days!!!
Had 3 boys a year apart,now there all in there thirties having babies and going thru it now!!!
My wife left me and the boys,when they were 1.2 and 3 yrs of age,boy did I potty train them fast!!!LOL!