inriching my sandy loam

charley · January 26, 2013

i just set up 3 raised beds 16+16 and filled them with sandy loam soil and i noticed that it has some clay chuncks in it .the soil is acidic.i do have 2 loads of compost 5foot+5foot made from kitchen scraps mowed leaves and coffie grounds to put in it. my questian is do i fix the ph first then add the compost.and what do you recommend to add to the soil.last year was my first garden . i grew 27 different heirlooms. but lacked production and tast

Worth1 · January 26, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by charley

i just set up 3 raised beds 16+16 and filled them with sandy loam soil and i noticed that it has some clay chuncks in it .the soil is acidic.i do have 2 loads of compost 5foot+5foot made from kitchen scraps mowed leaves and coffie grounds to put in it. my questian is do i fix the ph first then add the compost.and what do you recommend to add to the soil.last year was my first garden . i grew 27 different heirlooms. but lacked production and tast

One of the best tomato gardens I have ever seen was 50% sandy loam and 50% compost.
I mean really great garden the very best.
Mix in the sandy loam and test, slightly acidic (6 or so) is great for tomatoes.
You really dont want it above 7.5 in my opinion.

Worth

b54red · February 5, 2013

When it gets above seven I think the plants have trouble absorbing necessary nutrients. Go ahead and add as much compost as you can. I also have sandy soil and too much compost has never been the problem, it's always a case of not enough. For the past few years my beds have been too full to add much in the way of compost and it has definitely cut down on production a bit. Guess I need to grow some corn to take my beds down so I can add more.

Just kidding; I'll never put corn in my raised beds again. I have resorted to using just my kitchen compost in spots and using cottonseed meal and alfalfa pellets to provide nutrients and a bit of organic mater.

Tonio · February 5, 2013

ditto, add more organic matter. Green sand , azomite for minerals, kelp meal for micronutrients = taste. Alfalfa meal to break down the goodies for plants to consume
Compost, compost, compost.

Whats wrong with growing corn in your beds red? Waste of space?

Crandrew · February 6, 2013

My entire yard is sand, sand and sand. Just add some good compost, manure, bark fines etc. I would add the organic elements first, since you know you need the nutrients, then test the soil and address it accordingly.

charley · February 9, 2013

thanks every body for your info,so i think im almost there.i added all the compost,green sand, lava sand ,azomite kelp meal (FOR TAST),alfalfa meal pot ash and tilled it all in.and it turned out real dark and earthy smelling with earth worms roly polies small centipedes that were in the compost.but there were also some little white grub worms in there what are they and are the beneficial to my soil thanks agian

January 26, 2013	#1
charley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: copperas cove TEXAS Posts: 637	inriching my sandy loam i just set up 3 raised beds 16+16 and filled them with sandy loam soil and i noticed that it has some clay chuncks in it .the soil is acidic.i do have 2 loads of compost 5foot+5foot made from kitchen scraps mowed leaves and coffie grounds to put in it. my questian is do i fix the ph first then add the compost.and what do you recommend to add to the soil.last year was my first garden . i grew 27 different heirlooms. but lacked production and tast

February 5, 2013	#3
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	When it gets above seven I think the plants have trouble absorbing necessary nutrients. Go ahead and add as much compost as you can. I also have sandy soil and too much compost has never been the problem, it's always a case of not enough. For the past few years my beds have been too full to add much in the way of compost and it has definitely cut down on production a bit. Guess I need to grow some corn to take my beds down so I can add more. Just kidding; I'll never put corn in my raised beds again. I have resorted to using just my kitchen compost in spots and using cottonseed meal and alfalfa pellets to provide nutrients and a bit of organic mater.

February 5, 2013	#4
Tonio Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 148	ditto, add more organic matter. Green sand , azomite for minerals, kelp meal for micronutrients = taste. Alfalfa meal to break down the goodies for plants to consume Compost, compost, compost. Whats wrong with growing corn in your beds red? Waste of space?

February 6, 2013	#5
Crandrew Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: asdf Posts: 1,202	My entire yard is sand, sand and sand. Just add some good compost, manure, bark fines etc. I would add the organic elements first, since you know you need the nutrients, then test the soil and address it accordingly.

February 9, 2013	#6
charley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: copperas cove TEXAS Posts: 637	thanks every body for your info,so i think im almost there.i added all the compost,green sand, lava sand ,azomite kelp meal (FOR TAST),alfalfa meal pot ash and tilled it all in.and it turned out real dark and earthy smelling with earth worms roly polies small centipedes that were in the compost.but there were also some little white grub worms in there what are they and are the beneficial to my soil thanks agian