comeongetdown
In the Brooder
What is y'alls opinion on mulch from evergreen trees? My first thought was green=good. It's what I've got, so I'm going with it for now, but I'm interested in your thoughts.
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
I was not familiar with the term caliche. Had to do a google search. Found this article that might be helpful to you: https://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/soils/caliche.htmlFollowing this and so happy I found this thread.
I'm in the desert and my front yard is finally somewhat under control. Now for the backyard....which has the worlds worst soil! It's slimey clay and sand with a variable layer of caliche underneath. Have amended some areas to help with clay and adding some gypsum to help loosen things up for future use.
We just got half a dozen chicks and I can't wait to get things ready for some fall planting.
Very interested in alternative gardening methods. Thanks to all for the info!
Have you considered Mittlieder gardening? I used a variation of it in part of my garden during our drought last year in Alabama. It takes a lot of water to get it wet but once it is, it holds an even amount of water for a long time. Once the sawdust decomposes you have very good soil. I used compost and synthetic fertilizer instead of the stuff they wanted to sell me for the mix. When the wood decomposes you will no longer need synthetic fertilzers and the earthworms will till it for you. It is just a thought.Thanks much for the info lazy gardener! Bookmarked both for further review.
The only concern I have with deep litter, which I very much want to try, is that it's so dry here that I'm struggling to keep enough moisture to compost. Then a monsoon comes through and everything is soaked.
The area where the chicken coop is going has good drainage so I think it might work ok if I do major cleaning early summer for fall planting.
We've been quite successful with scarlet nantes carrots but I want to let some go to seed. We did tomatoes and jalapeños and cilantro. Armenian cucs are great and have a light melon flavor. Peas and sunflowers. Corn was so so. I quit gardening cuz I got tired of the fight. Watermelons, pumpkins and squash were a miserable failure.
Caliche is a serious pain. We had to shift the planting of a tree about ten feet because we couldn't get through a really thick spot and ensure good drainage. Really appreciate the info on that stuff!
I thought sunken beds as I've read they're better here than raised. I've theorized sfg would work along with this method but lately I've read about tree guilds and hugelkulture. If I can lighten the soil but increase water retention that would be great.