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Tennessee Gardening

what should I add to my soil?

new-gardener123

15 years ago

I live in Nashville in the Crieve Hall area. Last summer I did not do much prep for my vegetable garden due to lack of time and knowledge. Luckily it did pretty well anyway. However, I want to do better this year. I would like to be at least mostly organic/chemical free if possible. What should I add to the soil when it is tilled? What and how should I fertilize throughout the growing season? Any recommendations for what to plant next to each other or apart, or recommendations for companion planting with herbs and flowers?

Thanks!

Rebecca

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Comments (5)

ladybug37091
15 years ago
Hi Rebecca, You can't go wrong with lots of compost. I have a compost pile I put lots of manure, leaves, grass and kitchen scraps in to cook down into black gold. Try googling companion planting for lots of info. My aunt gave me a great tip for awesome onions and that is to burn a wood pile and plant the onions right through the ash(makes for big onions). It is always recommended to have your soil tested but I have not yet done that. I like to keep the chemicals to a minimum and use things like fish emulsion, epsom salt and seaweed. Another good search would be organic gardening. Good luck and have fun, Rhonda
bigorangevol
15 years ago
Rebecca you need to contact me! We are at 356 Blackman two houses past Briarwood between Trousdale and Edmonson. Look for the Orange & White checkerboard mailbox. Give me a call (310-4155) and Lavonne & I will be happy to show you around Cheapwood. We can help you get started with a bunch of free stuff. Try to drop by before the swap! BTW, please go to the MTPS website and register. http://www.midtnplantswap.com/registration/registration.html

Compost is THE way to go! We have a compost bin too and they are easily made for next to nothing. Since you don't have one yet, hit Home Depot and snag several bags of Mushroom Compost. They are about $4 a bag.

If you know someone with livestock then load up with dried manure. Most folks will be happy to let you have it for free if you'll just load it yourself. Green (fresh) manure is right out. It will burn your feeder roots and kill the plant.

Jeff
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You have aquaphobic soil which is very common in florida.It is most likely laking in nutrients as well.You need organic matter mixed in with the soil.Something thats not composted to clean.Well still having bigger pieces in it.Till it in the soil.Once your soil starts living the microbes and worms naturaly aerate the soil.You could also do a manual core aeration followed by a good watering will help right now though
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"composted bark fines" There's a big difference between compost and bark, loydai, so make sure you're choosing the one you want! Compost has gone through the decay process fully and there aren't too many places I wouldn't use finished compost by the metric ton. Fines have already been ground down as well. Confusion there is a problem. Bark is...well, bark. Not composted. Woody, waxy, lignicious sort of stuff to coin a word. :-) There seems to be a bit of confusion there, so make sure you distinguish between the two before you choose. There's a huge difference between composted and uncomposted items and confusing the two could be fatal to your plants...
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ladybug37091
15 years ago
My dad used to put green manure inches away from plants and he had monster size plants. I was always to afraid to try it for fear of it getting too close to the plant or kicking a nugget. lol
tn_veggie_gardner
15 years ago
Rebecca: Hermitage area here. Check out GardenSafe products (Wal-Mart has them). Neem oil-based pesticides & completely organic. I had good luck also with MG Organic Choice Potting mix for both my starting containers & 16 oz cups they're in now. Home Depot, when I can get there, also has an awesome selection. I get lost in all those doors that lead back to each other sometimes...lol. One example...one of those black metal wire hanging baskets with the straw/peat insert (16 inch diameter) at one un-named store was $6...Home Depot: $3.70. =)

Peace - Steve
new-gardener123
Original Author
15 years ago
Jeff, I am planning to call you this week! I would love to come over and see your yard. Thanks for the offer! I think I saw your house when driving by the other day. I actually live really close to you I think. I live on Garrett. I am getting really excited about the swap!

Rebecca

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