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Soil, Compost & Mulch

questions about my soil

17 years ago

Ok, Time and money are short. So what I did today, well probably a big mistake, but I was already digging up a raised bed that was here when I bought the house (soil on top of black plastic, then covered with landscape cloth and rocks) So, I'm digging this moist soil out, it is mostly black soil with spots of clay and areas of woodchips, some roots, worms, bugs, a pen, a fuse, a porcelain bird, well anyway you get the picture I think. So when I was removing the dirt I removed the roots, rocks, and silly stuff. Then moved the dirt to a different area of the yard on top of cardboard to bury my bulbs. Do you think my bulbs will come up with this soil? Should I add something to it? I hope you won't tell me my soil is worthless, since it's free :)

Here is a link that might be useful: my front yard

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Comments (3)

donn_
17 years ago
Your bulbs will come up.

Next time, if "time and money are short," ask before you shoot, eh?
carriedaway
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks Donn, I would have, but the bulbs were free, and my original plan was to put them in these raised beds before realizing how deep the rocks were. Of course the soil would have been the same, I just didn't know what the soil was like then.
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Kimmsr
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Spring flowering bulbs have everything they need to grow next spring in the bulb now, so yours will grow and flower unless the soil they are in holds too much moisture and they drown. For blossoms in the years that follow however bulbs need to be planted in a soil well endowed with organic matter as well as have the foliage left in place until the bulbs have developed the flower and stored enough nutrients for growth in those following years.
A good soil test is something to seriously consider to get an idea of the basic nutrient load in that soil and some indication of what needs to be done to assure a balanced nutrient load. It alos never hurts to look closely at your soil with these simple tests to get a better idea what that soil is:
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.

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