Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

livingontheland - [Livingontheland] soil amendments, first time usage, and mulch questions

livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Healthy soil and sustainable growing

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Pumpkin Lady <pumpkin@xanadoo.com>
  • To: Healthy soil and sustainable growing <livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Livingontheland] soil amendments, first time usage, and mulch questions
  • Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:35:09 -0600

Hi, I'm new.

Even though I got a nice shiny new rototiller for Christmas this year, I'm perfectly willing to use it for small fire breaks, ground leveling and softening in areas I have to move dirt rather than my garden...BUT how do you get your mineral soil amendments in the ground? Just scatter them on top and leave them rather than tilling them in?

I seriously need sulfur added to my garden beds. My soil pH is marginally too high and my water pH is higher, so the pH in the garden is only going to go up. This is my first time working this soil, and it is a former (small) pasture, even so, I am not supposed to till to loosen the soil if I understand correctly? Just scatter sulfur on top now and let sit there, or is it ok to work stuff in with something smaller than a tiller into the first inch or two?

I don't have a lot of hay or stuff. Pretty much the acreage I have is a lot of weeds and some grass. I can get some mulch from the grass. Can I use mulch mowed from grass on the side of the road or is that still considered a bad idea?(Was it ever a bad idea?) I had also been contemplating planting some perennial alfalfa for future use, but I wonder if that would be too hot for mulching with. Everyone says alfalfa can burn plants, but does it if it's only on top of the soil? If I shredded up newspaper to add to the grass is that a bad idea, or should I stick to that for marking my permanent walkways with?

I'd appreciate any input.

Thanks,
Morgan (zone 7a-b border) West Texas.




Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page