Need some advice a highly compacted soil.
lizabug1
8 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (6)
lizabug1
8 years agoRelated Discussions
In need of some sound advice on soil
Comments (15)Novice, I won't doubt your readings if you trust the measuring tool to be even somewhat accurate. But, for your particular lawn I suggest before you put too much of one thing...(sulphur) onto your ground you get a proper test done by your local extension service. It will be either out of a local college or university or through a state government facility. In any case, a proper reading should be gotten before doing anything drastic. You wouldn't want to change overnight your pH anyway...that could lead to problems. Dumping garden sulfur onto your lawn can adversely affect it practically overnight. Lawn fertilizer with a high nitrogen content can change your pH over time.....hence the reason many gardeners throw lime onto their lawns in ths spring. A little lime cannot change abruptly the pH....but can lessen to an extent the damage that too much lawn fertilizer does with its high nitrogen content. As long as lime is not spread in large amounts it can help bring up the pH. If you do decide to get a proper test done, do read about what is necessary to take the proper sampling. If you have evergreen trees on your property, they can influence the pH. So while you may test your lawn as being alkaline, the area around your trees might well be very acidic. So the question arises how to get a balancing of the readings. A proper test that tells you what to add where and how much can do your lawn a big service....See MoreCompacted sand soil, need help fixing for lawn
Comments (8)I didn't see your 10:21 post. Sand, silt and clay can be divided according to size from larger (sand) to smaller (clay) (albeit ignoring other important characteristics like element/chemical content and physical structure-clay being platelets) . It appears to me that your jars are showing a distinct horizon between particle sizes and the "2" mark. I may be wrong. The differences are important as to the different characteristics. For instance, among other traits, sand imparts no structure, has poor water retention, high leaching, low TEC (nutrient holding capacity); while clay has high (but slow to absorb) water retention ability, large capacity for holding nutrients, and its structure holds together so well that it is susceptable to compaction.. Your soils TEC is likely to fall in the 7-10 range. Guessing is fun, but not very useful. I hate to keep advising people to spend money, and I have no connection to any lab, but it is always advantageous to get a soil test (loganlabs.com) so you have as much reliable information about your soil as possible to help in making decissions rather than guesses. There is a guy who visits now and again who is very knowledgeable on all things soil. If you do get a report from logan and post it, he might give you some pointers--or not. Worth a try. This post was edited by grass1950 on Mon, Aug 12, 13 at 16:50...See MoreNew Construction, compacted soil, need to plant grass seeds, what next
Comments (13)There is a lawn forum on Garden Web that might be a more appropriate spot for your question and has a bunch of experts/enthusiasts. Be sure to say where you are when you post since advice is often based on location. http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/lawns FWIW, in my area the idea time to seed or overseed a lawn is early fall, around mid-September when the soil is warm but the air is starting to cool some. To seed a lawn now, you will need to top it with straw (not hay) or other light mulch to help keep the soil moisture as even as possible and reduce the likelihood of seed washing away. Investing in a hose and sprinklers will help keep the soil moist, not only now but all summer if there isn't sufficient rain. You can overseed in the fall for any areas that didn't take well. Adding some white clover to the mix may help the soil fertility over time, but will give you a somewhat different look than an all grass lawn. Depending on your budget, getting it hydroseeded after you do your soil prep may be helpful and give you a better result, though it will cost more than seeding it yourself....See MoreNeed advice for building cabinet for stacked compact laundry
Comments (4)First problem is that you have a washer and drying that only has an option for being on the floor. These are not designed to be stacked and the framework you have looks like the set up doesn't work well. Not enough access to the washer, the dryer is too high up. Are you going to replace those with stackable units or one stacked washer/dryer? Is this space in a basement or right down the hall from the living room? I'd deepen the closet by an extra 6" at least and put closet doors on it. Don't close off your water heater with a cabinet because water heaters need to be replaced every 5-10 years and you'll have to remove whatever side panel you put on there so the guys can get in and do their plumbing and wiring. And, depending on code, you can replace that huge, ugly expansion tank with a small pressure valve that's designed to release if a certain amount of pressure builds up. Many people will tell you the expansion tank is code in your area, but most regions allow pressure valves. The valve costs $12 and the expansion tank costs $50. It's a favorite big-box store strategy to sell more product with an installation....See Morergreen48
8 years agolizabug1
8 years agotoxcrusadr
8 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESHow to Pick a Mulch — and Why Your Soil Wants It
There's more to topdressing than shredded wood. Learn about mulch types, costs and design considerations here
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHow to Stop Worrying and Start Loving Clay Soil
Clay has many more benefits than you might imagine
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGGive Your Compact Patio Some Major Style
11 ideas and examples to take your outdoor room from snoozefest to stellar
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGet the Dirt on Your Garden’s Soil
Understand how your soil supports your plants so you can ensure your garden’s success
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES10 Solutions for Soggy Soil
If a too-wet garden is raining on your parade, try these water-loving plants and other ideas for handling all of that H2O
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Try Blue Bells for Blooms in Dry Soil
This shrub’s violet-blue flowers and silvery foliage brighten low-water gardens all year long
Full StoryFARM YOUR YARDAdvice on Canyon Farming From L.A.'s Vegetable Whisperer
See how a screened garden house and raised beds help an edible garden in a Los Angeles canyon thrive
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESContractor Tips: Advice for Laundry Room Design
Thinking ahead when installing or moving a washer and dryer can prevent frustration and damage down the road
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESDownsizing Help: Color and Scale Ideas for Comfy Compact Spaces
White walls and bitsy furniture aren’t your only options for tight spaces. Let’s revisit some decorating ‘rules’
Full StoryPATIOSLandscape Paving 101: Some Reasons to Go for Granite
Thinking about a new patio or path? Invest in granite for its durability and low maintenance
Full Story
kimmq