We are planting a garden and lawn in an area that used to be a corn field, so the soil is depleated.
What is the best way to improve garden soil?
Till in as many organics as possible. Chopped leaves, grass clippings, finely chopped twigs and small branches - anything that once grew (avoid wood chips and sawdust, however, as that takes longer to break down and can further deplete the soil). With that, till in either chicken or rabbit droppings, the former being the hottest and needing the longest to set before planting (it can burn young seedlings - allow at least a month before planting). As one other has said, rabbit is best if you can find it.
After tilling, cover it all up with a layer of more organic material, at least two inches worth. Let it winter over, then till everyting again in the spring - as soon as the soil is friable (not so wet that it's clumpy and muddy). If you see plenty of earthworms, you've done a good job!
I'd go ahead and plant the garden, but wait until late summer to plant the lawn, depending on where you live and whether you put in the lawn from seed or sod. Sod is better planted in the late spring.
Reply:You needs lots %26amp; lots of organic matter of any type (manures, compost etc), this will increase soil fertility, aeration(worms) etc.
If you can, plan your beds ahead of time and put as much organic matter into them as you can. Leave fallow until everything is well decomposed then plant and mulch with hay (this keeps soil, both cool in summer and warm in winter) it breaks down eventually and also increases the soil fertility. Organic matter can increase the good micro oganisims in the soil which is helpful to plants.
For the lawn areas buy a good rich turf underlay soil. Turf is shallow rooted and you constantly fertilize it anyway so it is not a important as the soil improvement in the beds.
If you need to plant immediately use good topsoil and depending on the organic component a slow release fertilizer after the plants have settled in and then work on the organic matter by continuing to top dress over the years with well rotted compost and animal manures.
Reply:Go to a garden center %26amp; get a soil testing kit or two. Test your soil to find out what it maybe lacking. I do this every year before I plant my garden so I know what I need to add to the soil. At the end of the season I sprinkle the soil with lyme to sweeten the soil %26amp; balance the ph. Then I till it in to let it set over the fall %26amp; winter.
I was told by an old farmer that the best soil is
1/2 top soil
1/4 steer manure or worm castings
1/4 peat moss
Now, I have never had to try this mixture, so I do not know if it is a good mix or not.......
Reply:use compost manuring technique. i hope u know wat that means...
it works. i have done it before. good luck
Reply:yes, mulch it! rabbit manuer is fantastic if you can find it! old leaves and such...there was a place on the side of my house where all the leaves used to gather when they fell off the tree and where my rabbit was and the soil was soo rich and wonderful!!
Reply:Read up on crop rotation,I'm sure there is a crop that will replenish the soil naturally.
Reply:Add a 15-15-15 mix to the soil, then remember to rotate your plants every other year, the 15-15-15 or 10-15-10 should do the trick.
Reply:Compost makes all the difference in the world. Nothing even comes close in my experience.
Reply:(do all this in the fall after u have harvest your garden)spread a light cover of turkey manure over the ground then bed the ground with mulch wait 2 weeks and till up the garden and let set till spring and then do a soil test and remember to rotate ur plants from the last year u planted always helps hope this helps
Reply:Cow manure (it's gross but the vitamins and nutrients help make your soil moist and healty).
Fertilizer (this stuff really works!)
Reply:Compost %26amp; manure (whatever kind you can get) in general. Worm castings are also very good for soil enrichment.
In particular, it depends on what the soil composition is to begin with.
I also encourage you to start a compost pile %26amp; add to it %26amp; turn it regularly.
Good Luck!
;-)
Reply:peat moss and really old manure..
Reply:cow dung
Reply:Mulch, Mulch, Mulch
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