This article by Howard Garrett on changes in organic gardening practices was an interesting read. I knew peat moss was a no-no but not sharp sand.
About Kathy Purdy
Kathy Purdy discovered the joys of writing in fourth grade, when she started corresponding with a former classmate. She's been writing letters ever since, first on looseleaf, then electronically, and now as weblog entries. That makes you, the blog reader, her pen pal. Her first independent (though frustrating) attempts at gardening were made in high school, though the gardening bug didn't bite hard until her mid-thirties, when she found herself mistress of a rural home on 15 acres. • USDA Hardiness Zone:4 • AHS Heat Zone: 3 • Location: rural; Southern Tier of NY • Geographic type: foothills of Appalachian Mountains • Soil Type: acid clay • Experience level: intermediate • Particular interests: colchicums, narcissus, cottage gardening, NY native plants, gardening with/for children
{ 3 comments }
It isn’t a matter of what region you are in so much as what kind of soil you have. I have acid clay. To improve general structure and fertility of my soil, I add organic matter such as well rotted manure or compost. But when I want to grow something that needs really well-draining soil, I add grit, and if it doesn’t like acid soil I add ground limestone. Don Engebretson of the Renegade Gardener http://www.renegadegardener.com/ could probably advise you better on the best way to amend your Minnesota soil.
I wonder how much of this applies to Zone Four. Is it possible that Minnesota soil wouldn’t necessarily play nice with things like lava sand?
I’ve used sharp sand without problems, but some of my gardening friends do claim that it turns the ground to concrete.
I think Howard Garrett lost some of his credibility by recommending this through the years.
Comments on this entry are closed.