ok, so at the new house i went to shovel the dirt and about 6" down hit rock hard clay. since i have never dealt with in ground growing i dont know where to start with this! please help!
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in-ground question on in ground garden area
- Thread starter spongey600
- Start date
the area is 10'X15'(estimate) i have 5cuft of amendment/compost stuff to add to it but i just dont have the cash to build it up much more. the only other thing would be to buy some 2X6 and line the area and head east to see if there is a place to buy compost and mix it all together. and i really dont want to rent a rototiller as that clay will be a bitch to break up! ARGGGGGGG!
well, i might just be digging out all the dirt this weekend and see what it looks like under and maybe rent a tiller and see about busting it up a little, but we will see, i might just be lazy and mix a few bags in with the dirt and say screw it and see how things go, that way i know what to do if things go bad! LOL of just grow in containers! LOL
Build a box or 2? them take surrounding soil tah help build it up?
the boxes would be good, buuuuuuut i dont have the tools to build them. i wonder if i couls get home depot to cut the boards for me
I'd recommend growing your peppers in pots this year and start working on that garden.
Double dig small portions of your garden a little at a time. I'd add whatever you can get, compost, lime, sand, manure, ....anything to break that clay up
and add tilth.
It's a labor of love, and a good garden isn't made overnight.
Double dig small portions of your garden a little at a time. I'd add whatever you can get, compost, lime, sand, manure, ....anything to break that clay up
and add tilth.
It's a labor of love, and a good garden isn't made overnight.
i really dont think it would be a problem
the roots will go down as far as they can go then spread outward, also once the roots reach the the clay border they will catch the a good amount of water and desolved neutrient before they leach into the clay
just keep amending your exsiting top soil with lots of organic, that will ensure your plants are getting what the need, it will also encourage your worms to do there job
also at the end of this season chop up your unwanted pepper plants and till them in too
i do so does my friend works great!
adding soil would not hurt however it could get expensive
hope this helps
thanks your friend joe
the roots will go down as far as they can go then spread outward, also once the roots reach the the clay border they will catch the a good amount of water and desolved neutrient before they leach into the clay
just keep amending your exsiting top soil with lots of organic, that will ensure your plants are getting what the need, it will also encourage your worms to do there job
also at the end of this season chop up your unwanted pepper plants and till them in too
i do so does my friend works great!
adding soil would not hurt however it could get expensive
hope this helps
thanks your friend joe
At least you have 6 inches of dirt on top of your clay. I just have straight clay.
You could buy two 10' 2 x 6, and two 16' 2 x 6. No cutting required. See about getting a load of compost or black dirt delivered. It should be far cheaper than buying bagged.
EDIT: I see circular saws at garage sales all the time for $5-$10 as well. Or try craigslist.
You could buy two 10' 2 x 6, and two 16' 2 x 6. No cutting required. See about getting a load of compost or black dirt delivered. It should be far cheaper than buying bagged.
EDIT: I see circular saws at garage sales all the time for $5-$10 as well. Or try craigslist.
good call Musky! i just might try that! and see about getting the dirt or soil to fill!
I have had spectacular results growing in sand. I till in cow compost every spring and they seem to love it. If I had to bring in anything it would be sand and cow compost.
Lol Brochacho you want to barrow my Chop saw? it will cut 2x6 effortlessly in a second!
It is literally 3 blocks away from you! To be honest I never use it anymore so if you break it I wouldn't be mad. I have mad tools, just get us some Beer, use a friends truck, go to the convoy dump and buy some compost. I think I have a crap load of wood screws in the shed you can just have!
http://www.sandiego....y/compost.shtml
It is literally 3 blocks away from you! To be honest I never use it anymore so if you break it I wouldn't be mad. I have mad tools, just get us some Beer, use a friends truck, go to the convoy dump and buy some compost. I think I have a crap load of wood screws in the shed you can just have!
http://www.sandiego....y/compost.shtml
Well it's not like spongey is near an ocean with sand or anything so he may have an issue. 
Best of luck. I only have 6 inches at the most above the native farm fiel and fill dirt from when the house was built in the 50's. The gardens were all built with leaf compost from the township. They suck up and chop all the leaves we put by the road in the fall. Then in the spring we can get 3 ton for $30 or 8 ton for $50....delivered to the driveway. Not sure how many leaves y'all have out that way, but if a good many then your local may do the same. Guessing that if you bust up that clay, adding a few buckets of sand may help with drainage and future workability.
Beat of luck and congrats on the new place!
Best of luck. I only have 6 inches at the most above the native farm fiel and fill dirt from when the house was built in the 50's. The gardens were all built with leaf compost from the township. They suck up and chop all the leaves we put by the road in the fall. Then in the spring we can get 3 ton for $30 or 8 ton for $50....delivered to the driveway. Not sure how many leaves y'all have out that way, but if a good many then your local may do the same. Guessing that if you bust up that clay, adding a few buckets of sand may help with drainage and future workability.Beat of luck and congrats on the new place!