clay soil suggestions
ajab124
20 years ago
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catahoula
20 years agowindy007
20 years agoRelated Discussions
time to plant
Comments (7)As long as you are able to supply sufficient water, go ahead and plant any time you want. West coast planting practices tend to differ greatly from elsewhere in the country :-) A wide, but quite shallow planting hole is best for working with clay so make sure that deep hole is filled in properly and widened (3X the diameter of the rootball at least). No amendments. Place the rootball so that 1/3-1/2 of it is above grade and mound the removed soil up to the surface, firming it around the sides of the rootball. If you want to create a larger mound, fill in the planting hole entirely. You can then either place the rootball of the new tree entirely above grade and mound (as above) or create a higher, larger mound with imported soil. Just as long as the soil mix is very freely draining, you should be fine. Ideally the chitalpa and any surrounding plants should share the same water needs, both now through establishment and then down the road :-)...See Moregrowing peanuts in tx
Comments (1)Full sun....See MoreHow deep do the average wildflower roots reach down?
Comments (8)I would either start the seeds in small pots, then transplants to the hillside in a month or two, or make horizontal furrows in the hillside, sow seeds, and lightly cover with topsoil. The furrows should protect the seedlings from washing away, allowing them to become established. I wouldn't plant a "wildflower" seed mix because most of what you get won't really be native wildlfowers, but rather exotic, quick-growing flowers that probably won't last long. Instead, find a reputable source on the internet and pick your own species. I'd try black eyed susan, butterflyweed, wild bergamot (monarda fistulosa), perhaps the annual monarda (name escapes me) and others. I'd also try a grass, probably little bluestem. Instead of trying to plant the entire hill at once, you might be better off growing small patches of each plant, or starting them in pots. TO cover the hill, consider a cover crop that will grow quickly them die out. Oats is a good choice, and buckwheat might be another. These will stabilize the soil then allow the wildflowers to grow when they die. Avoid perennial cover crops live birdsfoot trefoil, crown vetch, or certain grasses because you'll never get rid of them and they will make it hard to have a wildflower patch....See MoreMelon varieties
Comments (7)Same as you, when I tried growing melons, I didn't have any luck.. I haven't had a chance to try growing them again but I have since read up on how to some people grow them. My soil is mostly clay also and low in nutrients.. I've read that people have sucess growing them on mounds consisting of a rich mix of manure and garden soil... The soil temps need to be above 70 degrees... Start them first in cups with drain holes or those little multipack containers. You can get the kids to help. This gives the plants a head start from bug predation. Plant them on the mounds when the secondary leaves are about 1/2". Water only the roots and avoid the leaves... Don't let the soil dry out. Keep it moist but not waterlogged. The plant will grow both male and female flowers.. Once you notice that a fruit has been fertilized and is growing large, put something underneath to separate the melon from the soil.. Some people use straw. Thick paper plates will work, as I use on squash... You can also cover the fruits with a cage or mesh to protect them from any large animals around that can eat the melons. The variety that I tried to grow was the yellow fleshed "Moon and Stars" that I got from Baker Creek. I had a good start but I believe the soil I planted them in, wasn't prepped correctly for growing watermelon. I've never really had much problem growing sunflowers. Just direct sow them in a warm sunny area of your raised bed. Water twice a week or as needed... Depending on the variety, you may have to stake them. I did have a few bees visiting mine.. You may have issues with birds trying to eat the seed... Netting, may be a preventative option. If you like to watch birds, you can also net some flowers and leave some free for the birds. I don't actively grow sunflowers though because I don't do much cooking with them....See MoreSheila_GeorgiaPeach
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