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hammer one · 05-04-2008, 10:54 PM

I dug 3 holes today 2x2x2 and I had to use a pick axe to do it. I filled them with water trying to saturate the dirt/clay around them. What would be the best mixture of potting soil to fill them with?....peat moss...cow crap....worm poop?

**Chris_Dog** · 05-04-2008, 11:00 PM

Growing up in GA we always used peat moss.

AGBrewer · 05-04-2008, 11:13 PM

I used on part peat moss, one part horse manure, one part miracle grow potting soil, and one part of the soil from my yard.(Very sandy) So far I haven't lost one plant out of about twenty.

hammer one · 05-05-2008, 12:15 AM

Chris Dog carpe diem seize the day very cool thanks for the tips!

DeadDoc · 05-05-2008, 01:43 AM

i know ur feeling.... 32 inch holes in the clay was fun.... 10 minutes for each hole (2) and then a 2ft(2).... blah.... i threw dirt on top for the planting. http://homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=64828 link on my installation.

morrighu · 05-05-2008, 01:45 AM

IMHO, I'd start dumping compost there as often as possible. I'm in N. Texas and I swear a potter could throw the soil in our yard. So I've got some experience in dealing with heavy clay. Sulphur may also help break up the clay but go gently with it as it can change soil pH. Coarse sand can also help break up clay, but it takes a lot of it. Compost does wonders for dense clay, though. You can try to obtain something from your local home center called humic acid. It's basically very concentrated compost tea and 1 gallon of concentrate is about $15.

HTH,

M.

DeadDoc · 05-05-2008, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morrighu

IMHO, I'd start dumping compost there as often as possible. I'm in N. Texas and I swear a potter could throw the soil in our yard. So I've got some experience in dealing with heavy clay. Sulphur may also help break up the clay but go gently with it as it can change soil pH. Coarse sand can also help break up clay, but it takes a lot of it. Compost does wonders for dense clay, though. You can try to obtain something from your local home center called humic acid. It's basically very concentrated compost tea and 1 gallon of concentrate is about $15.

HTH,

M.

Ga has a lovely ground.... i swear you could make pots with it. We have been throwing stuff in the backyard since we got the place... 20 years ago and the compost is still only an inch or so above the clay. Ga you have to dig it out and put new soil in. The clay will be clay... I have yet to see it turn to nice soil even with mixing it stays.

D*Bo · 05-05-2008, 02:03 AM

Sandy loam
vermiculite, or perlite to help drainage.
Compost or aged manure for nutrients, maybe some bone meal.
and peat moss
mix it up with some top soil/loam

If your yard is all clay, just dig a shallow hole and build your mounds with the above mixture.

**Chris_Dog** · 05-05-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadDoc

Ga has a lovely ground.... i swear you could make pots with it. We have been throwing stuff in the backyard since we got the place... 20 years ago and the compost is still only an inch or so above the clay. Ga you have to dig it out and put new soil in. The clay will be clay... I have yet to see it turn to nice soil even with mixing it stays.

I think they do make the Terra Cotta pots with it (A least it is the same color).

DeadDoc · 05-05-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_Dog

I think they do make the Terra Cotta pots with it (A least it is the same color).

It wouldn't surprise me one bit. Maybe I should dig all mine out and sell it to a potter. Make some money!