prep for fall - August 1st, 2006 at 03:14 PM
i know this is early but i'm already thinking about prepping for fall/winter. last few years i've added peat moss. added composted horse manure about 3 years ago. this fall i'm thinking of doing more so next summer will be easier. my garden is 8x16ft. so i want to add greensand (not sure how much), some manure (have to ask at the local feed store where i can get some composted- if not i'll buy bagged stuff) since the local farm said since my corn was sort of miniature it was an indicator of low nitrogen since i've grown corn for about 3 years now. till it all in and then throw some straw on top. 2 winters ago when i did that the ground was so much nicer in spring. last year tried to use mulched up leaves but it really wasn't as thick and didn't seem to protect the soil as much. so i'll cover with straw and then in the spring i won't remove the straw i'll just move it a bit so i can plant and leave it there as mulch. sound good? any other suggestions? my ground seems to be a bit better than when i first planted- i have compacted soil. it's not quite orange clay, but it does get pretty hard. it's not light and airy and it's not sandy. it's more on the hard side. when it dries out it cracks and when it's too wet it puddles. now if i leave the straw as mulch do i have to worry about more bugs?