How to build and maintain rich garden soil

Redbaron · January 20, 2015

I found this blog. Interesting because although simplified and basic enough anyone can understand it, it is also quite comprehensive, touching on all the major resources a home gardener has at their disposal.

How to build and maintain rich garden soil

I realise a lot of the members here already understand pretty much everything here. Yet it is still a very good resource when we want to get back to basics. And for new gardeners, invaluable.

pondgardener · January 20, 2015

Scott,

Thanks for the link. It does reinforce some important principles on building up a good soil. And as for beginning gardeners, I sent my daughter the link, so she can get a better understanding that growing vegetables involves putting back nutrients into the soil to keep getting good results.

George in Colorado

Cole_Robbie · January 20, 2015

I love that pic of the tricolor goat at the bottom of that page. They remind me of my calico cat.

Something I've been wondering lately, shouldn't all the principles of soil management apply to container growing as well? I'm planning on trying a grow mix of compost and old hay, and then mulch it with mostly-rotten wood. It seems like I should be able to make a little ecosystem out of each tomato's container.

Redbaron · January 21, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

I love that pic of the tricolor goat at the bottom of that page. They remind me of my calico cat.

Something I've been wondering lately, shouldn't all the principles of soil management apply to container growing as well? I'm planning on trying a grow mix of compost and old hay, and then mulch it with mostly-rotten wood. It seems like I should be able to make a little ecosystem out of each tomato's container.

I think ask the container guys. They are far more knowledgeable about it. I have grown in containers once a very long time ago. I used 50% vermiculite and 50% composted cow manure in grow bags. That worked well for me that one time, but I prefer soil outside. Never tried it again.

January 20, 2015	#1
Redbaron Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,488	How to build and maintain rich garden soil I found this blog. Interesting because although simplified and basic enough anyone can understand it, it is also quite comprehensive, touching on all the major resources a home gardener has at their disposal. How to build and maintain rich garden soil I realise a lot of the members here already understand pretty much everything here. Yet it is still a very good resource when we want to get back to basics. And for new gardeners, invaluable. __________________ Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture

January 20, 2015	#2
pondgardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Colorado Posts: 361	Scott, Thanks for the link. It does reinforce some important principles on building up a good soil. And as for beginning gardeners, I sent my daughter the link, so she can get a better understanding that growing vegetables involves putting back nutrients into the soil to keep getting good results. George in Colorado __________________ “Live as if you'll die tomorrow, but farm as if you'll live forever.” Old Proverb

January 20, 2015	#3
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I love that pic of the tricolor goat at the bottom of that page. They remind me of my calico cat. Something I've been wondering lately, shouldn't all the principles of soil management apply to container growing as well? I'm planning on trying a grow mix of compost and old hay, and then mulch it with mostly-rotten wood. It seems like I should be able to make a little ecosystem out of each tomato's container.