Confused about preparing soil for new veggie bed

15 years ago

I have read Steve Solomon's highly recommended book "Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades" as I prepare for my first veggie garden. I have a plot about 25'x35' with soil that looks fairly compacted and wet right now, obviously. Looks like the previous homeowner did some minimal veggie gardening there in a few small raised wooden beds placed atop weed barrier fabric. After I take off the fabric, I'm confused about how to proceed.

According to Mr. Solomon, I should have prepared my bed last October, using no more than 1/2" of compost and then added lime, thrown in fava bean seeds and rototilled 2" deep, then wait for spring.

Obviously, I dropped the ball, since I didn't even read this until last month. Now I'm grappling with what to do. I'm probably over thinking it, but I'd appreciate your two cents.

Should I:

1) add 1/4" compost and lime, then work the existing soil in with the compost and lime with a rototiller, then cover with another 1/4" compost and starts seeds from there. This just doesn't seem like enough soil but what do I know...

OR

2) bring in several inches of Cedar Grove vegetable compost mix and rototill.

I also posted this in the NW gardening forum, so hoping for good input one way or another.

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Comments (5)

digdirt2
15 years ago
If those are the only 2 choices, I vote for #2. ;) Don't know what Cedar Grove compost it but will assume it is viable stuff.

Mr. Soloman's approach is only 1 of many so you might want to re-think the lime thing without getting a soil test first and many use far more than 1/4" of compost with no problems.

Dave
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jean001
15 years ago
As I wrote in your other post ---

You wrote re "...using no more than 1/2" of compost..."
Don't know where you live, but Solomon's suggestion comes from his experiences where excess compost enhances springtail populations.

You'd likely be safe to mix in both 2 inches of compost plus the lime now -- well, as soon as the soil isn't too wet.

Beyond that, Solomon's suggestion to plant fava in fall is to gain the value of a "green manure" crop which should be mixed into the soil before it blooms.
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Kimmsr
15 years ago
How much compost to add will depend on how much organic matter you have in your soil now. Whether to add any lime, and which kind, can only be determined by a good, reliable soil test that tells you what your soils pH is and why it is where it is. These simple soil tests can help guide you,
1) Structure. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. A good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top.

2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up.

3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart.

4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer you soil will smell.

5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy.

but a good, reliable soil test is also needed. Contact your state universities USDA Cooperative Extension Service about having that soil test done.
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
15 years ago
Go with the Cedar Grove product. It has everything you need to grow veggies successfully and no need to add anything else.
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piedmontnc
15 years ago
Kimmsr, that's not structure, thats texture.
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Confused about preparing soil for new veggie bed

Comments (5)

digdirt2

jean001

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