Posted: 12/24/2014 6:44:19 PM EDT
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I normally use chicken poop, compost, green sand, rock phospate for general bed prep;
make some of my own compost, but don't have enough (+1200sf raised beds) to do all; imported good bedding material years ago for most areas, but have sandy soil in about 300-400sf; usually put taters in these. what do you guys use? in Zone 5 Central Tx; thanks |
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Could the zone 5 be a typo or misread by chance? I'm in Centex and just barely 8b. This will be my first year planting anything at the house I just moved into. The soil is thin in a lot of spots with rock just a few inches below the surface in much of the yard that isnt shaded by trees so that is a limiting factor, but I'be got a few spots with good potential. I expect to have to augment the garden site with a few yards of topsoil and plenty of compost but it will be an experiment for sure.
What is green sand? Havent seen it before? |
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green sand is a regional product, since Texas was underwater for a while;
it is a mineral product that adds iron, potash & other stuff. here's a good link to a great site; http://www.dirtdoctor.com/  </a>"
i use 4 zones w/shrub sprayers valved at each raised bed to control coverage; dead/cut trees for borders, replace as need every 2-3 years. cover mulch w/pine needles, never had a problem w/weeds. one of the biggest problems w/our native soil is it's sand, grows rocks & drains too quickly; hence the imported garden soil; local nursery used to have it for around $40 a truckload. Faster than making your own,,,, I read the chart wrong; you're right, it's zone 8. Where you at exactly? I'm in Bastrop near the lake |
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OK. Hadn't heard of it before. Thanks for the explanation. I'm a little bit outside of Waco.
I took a pick to my potential garden sites and found a 'good' one in the fenced in back yard with close to a foot of soil. It is very heavy clay though so I purchased a ton of sand and quite a bit of composted manure to till in. Going to rent a tiller this weekend. I have other spots that have better soil but they are under mature hardwoods so I am stuck augmenting less ideal spots. However the fence and immediate proximity to the house should keep the deer out and the wind down. Starting very small, about 8 x 14' plot, 3 rows. 6 tomatoes, broccoli, string beans, some sort of greens, and peppers. Might run some squash along the fence too. Haven't gardened in several years and never in tx so there will be a bit of a learning curve. |
| Green sand is certain sand that has geo chemical properties and is used primarily in drinking water treatment, mainly for iron and manganese removal (soluble and insoluble forms). It is regenerated with potassium permanganate and ever so often the media has to be replace. If you know of a groundwater system that treats for Fe/Mn then you may be able to get free spent green sand, which should be even better for gardening. |
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Quoted:
Where do you find zones ? I'm around San Angelo Tx. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile You're in zone 8. Maybe 7B during a cool year- Link |