Soil help please.

JohnWayne · March 2, 2013

The following is a link to the USDA soil survey of my home county. The information I can find there is of little use to me but maybe some of you can understand it.

http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Ma...23/0/Burke.pdf

The following is the section I fall into
FaD2 Fairview sandy clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded

I am on a ridge above the Catawba river and i would guess that I am 100-150 feet above the river bed. Unlike what is stated above from the survey, I would say the soil under me is heavy red clay.

A few years ago I amended the soil in my 10,000 square foot garden with about 7 tons of sand and silt from the river and this has been a huge help as for working the soil.

I am about to lime my garden and read in the above link that when reseeding for grass, I should use 75 lbs of lime and 20 lbs of 10-10-10 per 1000 sq feet.

I have a question or 5. Would it make a difference if I used powdered limestone or pellet ?

And the second question, Can I use 17-17-17 in place of the 10-10-10 and if so, How much per 1000 sq feet in place of the 20 lbs ?

The rest of my questions have to do with adding organic matter. There is a wood chipper mill a few miles from me and I can buy pretty much all the wood mulch I would want at a good price. I am thinking about mulching around my tomatoes and between the rows with either the wood chips or with hay. I have just found a man with round hay bales for 15 bucks each. This is a little more costly than the wood chips and there is always the concern of herbicides. But other than that, I have no clue as to what would be better or even if both are a bad idea.

I could maybe buy leaves from a near by town if that would be better.

BTW, I don't live on the lake pictured in the link above (It is about a mile from me as the crow flies, Beautiful isn't it ?) but my view of that mountain is about as good.

Thanks in advance.

March 2, 2013	#1
JohnWayne Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: Hickory,North Carolina Posts: 470	Soil help please. The following is a link to the USDA soil survey of my home county. The information I can find there is of little use to me but maybe some of you can understand it. http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Ma...23/0/Burke.pdf The following is the section I fall into FaD2 Fairview sandy clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded I am on a ridge above the Catawba river and i would guess that I am 100-150 feet above the river bed. Unlike what is stated above from the survey, I would say the soil under me is heavy red clay. A few years ago I amended the soil in my 10,000 square foot garden with about 7 tons of sand and silt from the river and this has been a huge help as for working the soil. I am about to lime my garden and read in the above link that when reseeding for grass, I should use 75 lbs of lime and 20 lbs of 10-10-10 per 1000 sq feet. I have a question or 5. Would it make a difference if I used powdered limestone or pellet ? And the second question, Can I use 17-17-17 in place of the 10-10-10 and if so, How much per 1000 sq feet in place of the 20 lbs ? The rest of my questions have to do with adding organic matter. There is a wood chipper mill a few miles from me and I can buy pretty much all the wood mulch I would want at a good price. I am thinking about mulching around my tomatoes and between the rows with either the wood chips or with hay. I have just found a man with round hay bales for 15 bucks each. This is a little more costly than the wood chips and there is always the concern of herbicides. But other than that, I have no clue as to what would be better or even if both are a bad idea. I could maybe buy leaves from a near by town if that would be better. BTW, I don't live on the lake pictured in the link above (It is about a mile from me as the crow flies, Beautiful isn't it ?) but my view of that mountain is about as good. Thanks in advance.