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#76301
Jun 25th, 2007 at 06:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 877
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OP
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 877 |
Some of my flower beds are so hard. I don't know how I grow the things I do (Neither does my husband) with how hard the ground is. If I go to use a hoe to weed or loosen up some around plants, it's SO HARD! What can I do to improve this?
PattyM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 30,453 Likes: 61
Northern Star
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Northern Star
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 30,453 Likes: 61 |
Add lots of compost and old manure, it softens up the soil and adds nutrients as well.
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 927
Wild Willow
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Wild Willow
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 927 |
Just make sure your manure is at least 2 years old.. or it will burn your plants. I was told this by a girl who has a garden center near here.. they plant all their plants in manure and sand.. 50/50.. and they have amazing plants. I have not tried it, though I should... lord knows I have enough manure.. with 9 horses!
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160
Official Taste Tester
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Official Taste Tester
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160 |
To start the softening process without moving your plants you can add a shredded bark mulch to your beds around your plants. This will breakdown during the year and retain moisture both of which will help to soften your soil. Next year just gentle scratch it into the soil and you don't have to move your plants or anything. And then add more mulch next year. It will add nitrogen to the soil the second year which will help with green growth as well as soften the soil. Don't do this if anyone around you is a smoker. Shredded bark is really flammable.
For your annual beds you can definitely do as already suggested and add compost for nice soft soil that the plants really love.
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