I have a 20' X 40' area that is to be my garden. I am in Texas and the soil here (and particularly the area in question) is 70% grey clay, 20% sandy gritty junk, and 10% decent soil.
I need to fill the area. It is surrounded by a retaining wall (36 inches on one end, and 8 inches on the other). My plan is to fill the deep end and shovel the shallow end until I have 12 inches uniform depth.
Now, what to do with the 12 inches of depth????
One buddy says fill it right to the top with this Texas junk and till in 2-3 cubic yards of my choice soil.
Another buddy says fill the entire 12 inches (that's 9-12 cu yards) with choice soil.
Some others have suggested adding shale and sand and rocks ....
I plan to grow two seasons (summer Tomatoes, peppers, etc., and fall Zucchini, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, etc.) and even trellice some grapes.
A buddy of mine is diggin a pool in a week and a half, and is giving me "free" fill. I just need to tell him how much.
Any and All input is GREATLY appreciated. I am in Frisco, Texas - Zone 7b.
Thanks
Will J.
What soil for my vegetable garden?
If I were you I would level the area and break it all up well to allow for good drainage and root penetration, then layer the rest of the 12 inches of depth, with mulch then soil then mulch again. Water well and then let it sit for at least a month, keeping it moist.
After that you can turn it over with a shovel ot tiller and arrange your beds making walking spaces between them so as not to walk on yout nice loose soil.
Josephine.
I agree with Josephine......I would ask....how much area is available for composting? The heavy clay requires soil amendment(s)....lots of organic matter (mulch,compost).
I've used spent mushroom growing media with great success covering the area with a 6" - 8" layer of the mushroom stuff (organic matter)...I till it in with the existing soil as deep as I can...then add
a mixture of fresh & composted leaves,etc. about 4 - 6" deep & till.....this all done at least a month ahead of when I want to convert the area to growing area....just as Josephine suggested.
(I'll add that the mushroom growing media is full of
fresh manures and "fragrant"...a cover of leaves or compost will curb the range of odor)
You can substitute horse manure for the mushroom stuff with great success....just needs time to break down....just make sure that the horse
manure doesn't contain oat seeds...some folks feed their horse oats...not good for garden!!!
I would only use the "top" soil from the pool project for the soil amendment
no need for "fill dirt" in this case.
This message was edited Jul 6, 2006 11:38 PM