I haven't improved my soil in too long. What can I do for this season?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I have a lot of trees around my property and while it produces a lot of part shade, it also creates a lot of dry soil. I'd like to add more organic matter, but I can't dig it into the tree root areas, right? I always leave chopped up leaves on the beds, but, it really breaks down and disappears pretty quickly. And it doesn't seem to be enough to improve the soil. Because of my back, I can't turn a compost pile and if I leave it long enough to break down on it's own, the tree roots - maples - grow up into the compost and doesn't do me much good. I also have raised beds that I want to plant in the spring. Just trying to figure out how to quickly add some fertility and organic matter before growing.

I was thinking of composting in place in the veggie beds, They've had a covering of mixed grass clippings and chopped leaves over the winter. Or what about worm castings? Or do I have to go to the expense of buying compost delivered?

Would love some ideas. Thanks.

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Comments (3)

John D Zn6a PIT Pa
3 years ago
You might consider forking the beds lightly and then add compost. I've found that trees respond to an inch of compost even in areas where the roots are under a lawn. In that case you would want to aerate the lawn. Aerating doesn't seem to damage trees so forking wouldn't either.

If you have perennials in a bed you can push a fork in and then put some light pressure on the fork to loosen the soil.

In this area those with the most gardening knowledge mulch with compost they make or with mushroom compost. Some alternate with hardwood bark. Down the knowledge scale they use softwood bark and then colored mulch which will improve the number of termites in your gardens. I know in some parts of the country softwoods dominate and I don't know if it's possible to find hardwood bark. But I'd guess you can.

I find that I can get a lot done if I take a chair with me and take lots of breaks.
prairiemoon2 z6b MA thanked John D Zn6a PIT Pa
tete_a_tete
3 years ago
I think composting in place in the veggie beds is a great idea. I also think you are probably doing more good than you realize, so keep on doing what you're doing.
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armoured
3 years ago
For the areas around/under the trees, it sounds to me like you're already doing the basics. Those areas will tend to dry and dense anyway. Adding more leaves is good, if you want to add more in bulk, wood chips (which you may be able to get free or for cost of delivery). I sometimes spread some cheap seeds around for some variety under there. If the trees are healthy, some forking or modest digging won't likely harm them (but may not be necessary either) - just don't hack dozens of substantial roots all at once. For ground around trees that's particularly dense or dry - a big pile of leaves or compost for a season or two (or longer), and the ground underneath will become much more soft and loose.

I would say don't bother with anything expensive or try to bring in worm compost, for example - leave some/more leaves and wood chips and the like and let the local worms do the work. None of this should require particularly hard work, just spreading some volume of cheap organic materials.

I haven't improved my soil in too long. What can I do for this season?

Comments (3)

John D Zn6a PIT Pa

tete_a_tete

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armoured

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