North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Stephen Sadler" <Docshiva@Docshiva.org>]

Tom,

There are areas of the front lawn where I strongly suspect that that's the
case.  Elsewhere, I've dug down to hardpan - as one has to, here, when
double-digging garden beds - and found some concrete and rocks, which I've
removed, but they weren't in troublesome areas, nor plentiful.  It's a good
guess, though. There's an ivy-covered area, but the ivy just stops and turns
brown as it approaches one dead patch, which sounds like something is
beneath that area.  Also, everything is happier in cooler weather, as though
evaporation were playing a part.  Or something.  I increased the water to
two inches a week.  At this point I'm surprised I can even shop for produce
without it withering.   

Right now the plan is soil testing, solarization next summer, followed by
cover crops to create some tilth.  After that, exorcism.

Deep rooted plants are doing fine.  Veggies wilt and die.  Those that
recover, live but don't thrive.  I put in Chandler strawberries from a
reputable local nursery - they like the Sacramento Valley - 84 of 96 plants
died within days. 

~ Stephen     

-----Original Message-----
From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Olenio
Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2007 7:34 PM
To: 'North American Fruit Explorers'
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] soil testing

Hello,

Any chance there is something under the soil where nothing grows?  Large
flat stones, ledge, old septic tanks, old foundations, and the like?

I would imagine that in a place where 50F is considered cold, that water
would be an issue on soil that had things shallowly buried.

The buried objects affect water run off and evaporation even if you do not
ever see them.  They could be more than 20" under the topsoil and affect the
surface.

They create arid, micro climates.

Later,
Tom

-----Original Message-----
From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Stephen Sadler
Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2007 10:18 PM
To: 'North American Fruit Explorers'
Subject: [NAFEX] soil testing

I previously mentioned my lifeless soil, and it was kindly suggested to me
that I get a thorough soil test, to not just look for nutrients but possible
contaminants as well.  There are areas here where not even weeds grow.  My
suspicion is that the soil isn't lifeless, it's rich in pathogens; but
testing seems quite wise.  

The thing is, I've never tested my soil.  I've had big backyard gardens, an
acre or less, loaded them up with organic compost, corrected pH for
individual types of plants, and my past gardens have been thriving and
bountiful.  

So where does one look for soil testing for a small backyard plot? 

~ Stephen
Sacramento, CA, where we think 50 is cold...

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