posted
All the work on the soil is done prior to planting the vegies, except for perhaps a bit of scuffing small weeds. Mulching will help keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from germinating. Additional applications of fertilizer may be required as the season progresses but in a well prepared bed, the main input will be regular watering and perhaps liquid feeding occassionally.
* * * * The secret is the soil. Plants: 1184 | From: East Coast | Registered: Sep 2004
| Seeded: 220.236.8.202
posted
Ok thank you. Do you know what mulch is good? I have seen so many at the garden store I was not sure which one to purchaser. Again thank you, Nicky
posted
The best mulch is what is available cheaply. Also if it breaks down it will add to the soil. Straw is good. Sugar cane trash works well. Coir fibre. Sheep manure or well rotted manures and compost. What are your options?
* * * * The secret is the soil. Plants: 1184 | From: East Coast | Registered: Sep 2004
| Seeded: 220.236.8.202
posted
Right now I have cow compost and organic compost, but i have seen other mulch that looks nothing like the onces i have. The ones i have look more like dirt then mulch.
posted
These are probably more beneficial if dug into the soil as they will be full of nutrient. If you can't dig them in because you've planted already, then you can spread it about, not too close to the seedlings and then mulch over the top of that. The earthworms will take it into the soil for you. You can leave it exposed on the surface OK, the disadvantage of this is that the weather will kill off many of the beneficial bacteria in the compost. Also it may form a water repellant layer on top of the soil if it is finely ground fibrous stuff. Mulching over it will prevent this. Is there a bale of straw available?
* * * * The secret is the soil. Plants: 1184 | From: East Coast | Registered: Sep 2004
| Seeded: 220.236.8.202
posted
No, there is not a bale of straw. And yes, i have already planted my plants. I have one of the tomoatoes plants growning, but for some odd reason my peppers, strawberries, watermelon, and early bird tomoatoes are not growing. Some of my peppers have flowers, but it rained so most got knocked off. Thank you, Nicky
posted
OK. So you have nutrient available. Is the soil clay or sand based and does it drain OK? Did you plant seeds or seedlings?
There could be a few reasons things are slow to get going. Soil temperature could be one if it's still cool in the ground. Just make sure you water deeply and regularly. A mulch would definitely help in your climate, so see if you can find something for the heat of summer.
MAin thing is to observe and learn. You'll get to understand your soil this summer and by the time winter comes again you'll be armed with greater knowledge. Continually be on the lookout for organic matter. Manures etc. Mulches. Build a compost pile if you can. Consider getting a worm farm. Very well behaved pets and their castings are 'black gold' to plants. It's the greatest soil conditioner and slow release fertilizer. And read about the plants and their requirements. You'll learn about things like Ph, which measures the acidity\alkalinity of the soil. It's very important. Where i live the soil is very sour or acid and i need to add lime or dolomite every year to correct it. If you view this season as a period of learning, you'll find you have plans for future seasons and this just adds up over time and your successes will increase. Keep gardening.
* * * * The secret is the soil. Plants: 1184 | From: East Coast | Registered: Sep 2004
| Seeded: 220.236.8.202
posted
I am not sure if the soil is clay or sand based. And yes i only planted several seeds which i should not have since how this is my first garden (to many watermelon seeds), but mostly plants. An yes it does drain well i have it on an incline to make sure of that. I also have rolly polly's in my garden. Are those bad? if so, what can get rid of them. And i will look into the worm farm i read a post that it was good for the soil also. I can not wait to finally get this down so I won't have to be driving people crazy with a 1000 questions. I really do appreciate you taking time to help me with this and explaining it to me. Thank you, Nicky
posted
I did not use the soil in the ground at all. What i did was lay down the some kind of weed roll thing then i layed the dirt and stuff on top of that. I will add the pictures so you can see what i did.
posted
Um. OK. How thickly did you spread the stuff? The roots will want to go down 6 or 8 inches. Can they? Is there something wrong with your soil that made you want to cover it with weed mat?
* * * * The secret is the soil. Plants: 1184 | From: East Coast | Registered: Sep 2004
| Seeded: 220.236.8.202
posted
I don't think it's thick enough. And as for the soil in the back yard well i did not want to chance it since how i had started so late in March.
posted
OK. I get the picture. You're probably gonna have trouble as the weedmat is going to prevent the roots from going down into the soil. I'd remove the weedmat at the end of the season and dig the area over to 8 inches or so. Incoorporating the new soil into the existing topsoil. Weedmat is in my opinion nothing but a waste of time and money. However, for now, see if you can get something to lift the soil level closer to the top of the timber surrounds. I'd suggest a half a cubic yard of compost, or good quality organic garden soil, like a trailer load with something like spent mushroom compost mixed into it. Then mulch the lot with straw to the top of the wood and your garden may do OK this season. You may need to put a protective cover around the seedlings to protect them when you spread the stuff. Like a milk carton with the top and bottom cut out. The 1 or 2 inches of soil you have won't be enough to supply the plants with the depth of soil they need. For support and water retension etc. Would you have access to that amount of compost or would it only be available in bags? Some local governments have recycling centres that supply composted green waste to gardeners. DO you have that service?
* * * * The secret is the soil. Plants: 1184 | From: East Coast | Registered: Sep 2004
| Seeded: 220.236.8.202
posted
I would have to look into it (compost green waste). I am really not that sure i am really new at this I have never planted anything out doors before now. So I figured i would, but instead of digging and haveing to call someone to check the soil and how far down the pipes are it was easier to plant on top of the grass since how i was doing it so late already. Next year I hope to have 2 more, but higher raised then what this one is. I have a bag of organic compost out side should i go ahead and add that until i check on the other stuff? Thank you for all your help, Nicky
posted
I'd wait until you see if you can get bulk compost Nicky. Don't be worried about digging into the backyard soil. The pipes will be deep. You only need to go 6 inches or so. You don't really need to check the soil either, just take a look and get the feel of it. See if it is sandy or clay based. Then add organic matter. It's no big deal. If you'd like to start preparing other beds. Start early. Even if you start now you can still get a late crop in no problems. Plants grown in properly prepared soil do better and grow faster than ones rushed into poor soil. Potatoes are a great first crop for new beds.
* * * * The secret is the soil. Plants: 1184 | From: East Coast | Registered: Sep 2004
| Seeded: 220.236.8.202
posted
Hey, how about these raised beds.. *maybe for next years plans!!* Made only out of rough cut larch... It was reasonable price.. And if a board of two go, we can replace them individually.. *we hope*
You can just do it one layer high if you want to... *I only did it as high as it is, for my mom, so she didn't have to bend over.*
We filled it with a load of sifted topsoil and a small load of manured compost!
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
And Longy's got some greattttttt advice for you...
quote: Plants grown in properly prepared soil do better and grow faster than ones rushed into poor soil.
That is sooo truueeeeeeee.... The roots can go down so much better, and that's where alot go to get moisture and coolness... and nutrients.. If they can't get straight down they start curving left and right and not being healthy...
Okay, here's a picture of a weed, and it's root in my veggie garden...
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
Thank you very much guys sorry about getting back to you'll so late. I had to pic up my little sister. Weezie13 I love the way your high beds are. I am hoping to do that this year for easy reach. Mark, I love your pic's of the yard it looks huge. How much sq ft? Is that your dog? He's cute! Well thank you for your help I will keep you'll posted. I was very happy to see tomatoes growing on one of them. Nicky
posted
I am sitting here simply drooling with envy-those raised beds are works of art !!!! I LOVE these pictures ! Not so crazy about that long, long rooted weed.... Unless it's a dandelion ! Love 'em ! I know, I'm kinda weird....
* * * * Plants: 1772 | From: Southern California, USA | Registered: Feb 2006
| Seeded: 207.200.116.139
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