Scalping - Scalping is a mechanical process whereby the soil is peeled back in a wide (30-36") shallow (2-4") furrow. A site can be scalped with a machine specifically designed for this purpose. More frequently, fire plows are utilized because they are readily available. Since scalping is not breaking up a plow-pan or hardpan, it does not require a large tractor to pull the scalper or fire-plow. Ripping or sub-soiling, on the other hand, produces a deep (14-20") narrow (2-4") trench that is designed to break up a hardpan or plow-pan. It takes significantly more horsepower to rip an agricultural field than it does to scalp an old-field or pasture. Researchers with the Florida Division of Forestry and the USDA Forest Service examined the effects of scalping in the 1990�s. They conducted studies with both slash pine (Barnard et al 1995a) and longleaf pine (Barnard et al 1995b) on agricultural sites in five counties in Florida. Their studies conclusively demonstrated that both longleaf pine and slash pine survived at greater rates and grew faster on converted agricultural croplands when these sites were scalped prior to planting. Scalping outperformed Benomyl� root dips, herbaceous release, a disking site preparation, and insecticide applications. This help remove grass and roots of pasture so planter want pile up grass lumps.

go to the compost forum on GW and search out "lasagne layering" this will change your life ;) If I had not done it and seen the results myself I'd say..ya right. but I turned an area that was hard clay, covered with weeds and even once upon a time with kudzu, into fertile and easily workable soil. I collected bag after bag of grass cuttings (filled my CRV up every week with a dozen or more bags) I collected cardboard boxes from the bins outside the dollar store (lots of them all at once, FREE) I also collected leaves when they were around and all my kitchen scraps. I went to starbucks and got big bags of used coffee grounds, (they keep them and put them in a container inside the store for people to pick up FREE). Heck if you were REALLY ambitious, you could probably find a small restaurant or hotel nearby you, get to know someone who handles the trash? or whatever, and get their leftovers..not sure how their rules would affect that..but it would be worth a try. Also research your area and see if there is any kind of municipal composting area. Here the fairgrounds gives away wonderful composted material for FREE. Local farms or horse boarding places are great sources for composted manure, of course you need to make sure it's been sitting around a long time so that it doesn't burn stuff. Most people will give you as much as you want. FREE also check on a craigslist near you, I've seen lots of posts for free compost there. Or post an ad for OM?

Oxankle: Austin is a great place to live. Leander is quite different now than it was in the early '90's and radically different than it was in the 1950's, as is Austin. Yes it's hard to beat fig preserves made with the sun-ripened figs of Central Texas. I have potatoes, tomatoes and pepper coming along in my garden, too! Ceresella: If you want to go the cheapest route, and want a Celeste, Brown Turkey or Kadota, you can probably find them at one of the local nurseries or large chain stores like Home Depot or Lowe's in Austin. Of course, there is a considerable possibility that the cultivar will be mislabeled. If you want a more uncommon variety, are willing to pay more for a smaller tree, and are willing to wait a year or two longer for fruit, then order on line from one of the reputable fig suppliers. Search the threads on this forum in order to find a good on-line vendor.

Lucky, did you just gradually lose your taste for pawpaws or did you lose your taste for them after eating a whole bunch one year? I know of another grower that was huge into pawpaws for a number of years but barely wants to eat any any more. For my part, I've eaten as many as I've been able to find (mostly forage) the last several years and still very much like them. I consider them a first rate fruit that fills a niche without any local substitutes (only tropicals). I just wish my grafted pawpaws would start fruiting so I can have more of them and have fruits with relatively more fruit and less seed.