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OCD Chilehead 2014 Glog

Tilling in leaves is the way to go. Put as much organic matter as possible in. Add some organic fertilizer that had the pro bacteria/fungi &/or add some aact. By this time next year it will be prime.
I did the same thing with the red clay here and the soil went from red to black/brown in one growing season .
 
GA Growhead said:
Tilling in leaves is the way to go. Put as much organic matter as possible in. Add some organic fertilizer that had the pro bacteria/fungi &/or add some aact. By this time next year it will be prime.
I did the same thing with the red clay here and the soil went from red to black/brown in one growing season .
Thanks Jason. Taking notes. This is tan clay. No iron in it. To the east of here 50 miles it turns red. This stuff is hard as concrete right now. I will soak it for a couple hours Thursday and try to till something Friday afternoon. With the heat we are having, it shouldn't be sticky by then. How deep did you till Jason?
 
OCD Chilehead said:
It's going good Mikey. It's hot. 100 yesterday. 96 today. Here's the 10 day forecast

10-Day Forecast:
Tuesday
(null) 0°F / 54°F

Wednesday
Sunny 95°F / 59°F

Thursday
Partly Cloudy 93°F / 59°F

Friday
Partly Cloudy 94°F / 59°F

Saturday
Isolated T-Storms 95°F / 60°F

Sunday
Partly Cloudy 97°F / 60°F

Monday
Partly Cloudy 97°F / 61°F

Tuesday
Sunny 95°F / 61°F

Wednesday
Sunny 95°F / 61°F

Thursday
Sunny 97°F / 61°F

How's your temps down there?
 
 
Interesting. Still down into the high 50s in CO this time of year. I wouldn't have guessed that.
 
Jeff H said:
 
 
Interesting. Still down into the high 50s in CO this time of year. I wouldn't have guessed that.
It's crazy here Jeff. I was surprised to see 61. That's a warm night here. Usually Summer is 90s day upper 50s night.

GA Growhead said:
I went down a foot the first year.
Thanks Jason. I was thinking a foot as well and then using the power auger to drilling holes a couple feet into the ground, and fill them with compost or something. Thinking it would give the roots something to reach for as well as holding water.
 
GA Growhead said:
I went down a foot the first year.
 
+1 on that! When you've got hard-packed clay soil, you need to break it up and mix in lots of humus. It'll improve drainage and penetration of air and water to the roots. I add a lot to my sandy soil for a different reason... it acts like a sponge that holds water and nutes longer so the rain doesn't leach the soil so much and the soil doesn't dry out as quickly.
 
jedisushi06 said:
Yeah no rain in sight here, but maybe this weekend
I've been soaking my tomato plants
A 30% chance for rain on Saturday. That means 70% chance it's not. LOL. Some fresh rain would do our plants good right now.

stickman said:
 
+1 on that! When you've got hard-packed clay soil, you need to break it up and mix in lots of humus. It'll improve drainage and penetration of air and water to the roots. I add a lot to my sandy soil for a different reason... it acts like a sponge that holds water and nutes longer so the rain doesn't leach the soil so much and the soil doesn't dry out as quickly.
Thanks Rick. I figured the composted wood chips, actual compost, and a bunch of leaves should be a start. I read somewhere about covering in the winter with concrete blankets or something. The blankets will keep it insulated. Sounds extreme, but I'll research some more.
 
Covering it black plastic should help in your climate to heat things up. Chuck I would rather start with clay than sand. I've worked both and the sand is harder here in the south. The amendments just go away. Remember 1 foot is the goal, but light passes going deeper and deeper will be a lot easier on you and the tiller. I'm sure you'll quickly find out ;) If your tiller is like mine, when it jumps, and I let go it stops. If I hang on, well you'll see :D
 
I'm out for a week, have a good one!
 
Thanks Scott. Thanks for the heads up. My shoulder is already hurting thinking about it. My goal is to till a 15 x 15 area this weekend. Then I will add wood chips and leaves. I assume after I till and add amendments, I should give it a soaking. Kind of like my compost.

Thanks again

Chuck
 
Plants health are looking better. Starting to get some blooms. Random pics
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capsidadburn said:
Looking good there Chuck!  Good looking raised beds!  Clean, organized, and professional!  Have a great week!
 
Mike
Thanks Mike. In the back yard where all the plants are up against the fence and shed, is going to be raised beds as well. Between both fences will be my 12x20 hoop house. Hoop bender will be shipped tomorrow. I might get some time to bend a couple hoops next week.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week.

Chuck
 
OCD, 
The plants are looking great.  I love seeing all the different pots, a man after my own heart.   SIPS, reg plastic pots, fabric pots and raised beds, man you have it all!   I love that corrugated plastic pipe you have for the tomatos, great reuse!
 
Looking forward to seeing what you do with the hoop benders.  I got some benders to make some row covers for later this year, or early next year, but have not needed to bend them yet.
 
jedisushi06 said:
looking good!
Thanks Mikey

GA Growhead said:
Yeah man! Plants look great all around!
Thanks Jason. If I could just get some flowers to stick. It was 102 degrees yesterday and dry.

bpwilly said:
OCD, 
The plants are looking great.  I love seeing all the different pots, a man after my own heart.   SIPS, reg plastic pots, fabric pots and raised beds, man you have it all!   I love that corrugated plastic pipe you have for the tomatos, great reuse!
 
Looking forward to seeing what you do with the hoop benders.  I got some benders to make some row covers for later this year, or early next year, but have not needed to bend them yet.
Thanks Bill. Trying different things to see what works best for my season. Wish I had some good ground.. I would have gone there as well. Will take plenty of pictures and post progress and maybe a separate post if it all goes well. Would like to get row cover bender next.

Have a great week everyone.

Chuck
 
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