Forums » Growing the Soil

• Jude

  
   

  March 3, 2010 6:13:23 AM PST

  I need help on this one.
  
  We are moving to a new location, good news, it is an acre of land, blank land, just a small trailer on it.
  
  The maybe bad news is the soil looks to be problematic.
  
  High Alkaline and clay based.  The soil where it has not been packed down is very soft to where you sink down.  On the area where nothing is growning or that has been disturbed from building activites the soil has a white powder and is very hard packed.  We plan on having it tested to be sure once we move in.
  
  Some lots are nice and green, some are nasty and weed filled.  One person said the soil in the area is great just needs lots of water.
  
  I have read sites that say lots of compost and coffee grounds are good.
  
  So what would grow well in a high alkaline soil to begin with?
  
• Katt

  
   

  March 3, 2010 9:19:16 AM PST

  I have heard that sulfur can help lower alkaline as can lots and lots of compost.
  
  You may wish to test to find out how high the alkaline level is - up to 7 or so and things will still grow ok. Over that and you'll have trouble. The white powder might be lime, sodium, magnesium or calcium.
  
  Sadly, there isn't much in fruits or veggies that thrive in high alkaline.  However, apple and crabapples do well in clay.
  
  Good luck with your new place!
  
• JustinDervaes

  

  • 30 posts
   

  March 3, 2010 11:14:09 PM PST

  Just a thought - can you put raised beds on top of the existing soil?
• SonomaWine

  
   

  March 4, 2010 5:00:03 AM PST

   I would find a local supply of compost (I have a neighboring horse ranch) and make raised beds.  First just put down some heavy cardboard then 6"-10" of compost.  You can plant directly into the compost and the cardboard will keep some of the weeds out.  If you have gophers put down 1/2" hardware cloth/wire to keep them out.  Then in following years you can just repeat the process till you get the beds built up to where you like them.
  
  Have a Great Day!!
  Frank
  
• Jude

  
   

  March 4, 2010 5:05:18 AM PST

  I will probably do the same style of raised bed there that I did here where we are at now. I bought amendments and added them to the existing soil in my 4 x 4 blocks and that worked very well.
  
  I am taking my compost pile with me to work in to the soil out there and will start collecting manure from local farms. Just trying to keep the costs of amending the soil down. But I know it is going to need it.
• lonejack

  

  • 7 posts
   

  March 4, 2010 5:43:41 AM PST

  If you do raised beds, which I highly recommend, here are some soil mixes suggested by this web site: http://www.foodforeveryone.org/gardening_course/
  This will give you soil that you will have to add nutrients for the plants. One advantage of this soil, no weeds or introduced pathogens from the unknown material.
  Avoid like the plague, buying top soil from local suppliers unless they can guarantee that it has been sterilized. I have all kinds of new weeds because I went the easy route and bought some supposed garden soil from a local supplier.
  Here is the soil:
  Recommended Combinations of Materials
  1. 40% sawdust, 40% perlite, 20% sand;
  2. 45% coffee hulls, 55% pumice;
  3. 40% peat moss, 40% perlite, 20% sand;
  4. 40% pine bark, 30% perlite, 30% sand;
  5. 75% sawdust, 25% sand.
  Paul.
• msapostol

  

  • 1 posts
   

  January 6, 2012 10:18:47 AM PST

  I want to put some somewhat composted horse manure down, compost, and spent straw down on my tired beds. Will I be able to plant lettuce safely in March?
• JustinDervaes

  

  • 30 posts
   

  January 6, 2012 11:49:00 AM PST

  That should be fine.