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We the size of our garden we actually have enough compost to keep two 50 gallon drums going full time and two worm bin totes. We also have a long term pallet compost pile for more long term sticks and such. You can just never have enough compost! ;) it's just an ongoing process trying to get better soil. Digging up what I have now and adding new isn't much of an option cost wise. Just renting a backhoe is crazy (I could sure keep one busy for a couple of days though!) Just wondering if anyone had any "faster" and less costly tricks for me. Clay takes FOREVER to dry out enough to till and once it dries it goes to concrete! Adding any and every organic material I can find! Yep I've bagged my neighbors leaves and just tilled them in to break down over the winter and heading this week with a 17 foot trailer to my papaws to fill it fill of aged cow manure a few times. Will spread my compost in the spring right before planting so I don't lose it to run off.

I think I might try digging holes a bit bigger than a bale of straw and breaking a bay in each hole then see what I think in the spring. If I can get it done. For every thing I mark off my list I add two more!!


I have clay - for some reason I thought I read that adding sand will make it worse. I can't remember where, but definitely check before you do. I just made raised beds, dug the top 10 inches and mixed it with manure/mulch/top then filled the beds The rest of the way.
 
IDK about adding sand either. When we dug our fence posts we had topsoil layer of sand then hard gray clay about 36-40 inches down. It drains pretty well but probably because of the 1-2 feet of fill sand. I still use raised beds and mix a peat/topsoil mix,vermiculite,perlite and compost/manure. Don't forget my miracle grow.





 
I have clay - for some reason I thought I read that adding sand will make it worse. I can't remember where, but definitely check before you do. I just made raised beds, dug the top 10 inches and mixed it with manure/mulch/top then filled the beds The rest of the way.

I had clay at the old house and this one too. You have to mix a lot of compost and peat moss into it before it can be worked. Much more than you would imagine. Nice black top soil too. I dug down about 12" and worked it all in. Just keep adding more until you get what you need.

Another things that's helps too is to add some Vermiculite.
 
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Sorry guys I appreciate the clay soil comments! I have a goat with a cold....sigh. Trip to the vet and I gave my very first shot today! He made me do it with him coaching as she will be on antibiotics the next few days . It's taking me twice as long to feed her due to her congestion :( she's a little perkier this afternoon though so yay!
 
Not cocoa??? Hope she gets better
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Sorry guys I appreciate the clay soil comments! I have a goat with a cold....sigh. Trip to the vet and I gave my very first shot today! He made me do it with him coaching as she will be on antibiotics the next few days . It's taking me twice as long to feed her due to her congestion
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she's a little perkier this afternoon though so yay!
I feel your pain, hopefully she gets better quickly and stays better. My whole house is sick with a cold/flu mix, my oldest is coughing like he ate the neighbor's dog, and the baby is trying to puke up mucus and running a temp, hubby is starting to get better and I just want to chop my head off.

I hope everyone stays in good health and doesn't catch this wonderful cold/flu that's going around.
 
Thanks
Not cocoa??? Hope she gets better:hugs


Thanks Mara! Cocoa seems to be feeling some better this am!

I feel your pain, hopefully she gets better quickly and stays better. My whole house is sick with a cold/flu mix, my oldest is coughing like he ate the neighbor's dog, and the baby is trying to puke up mucus and running a temp, hubby is starting to get better and I just want to chop my head off.

I hope everyone stays in good health and doesn't catch this wonderful cold/flu that's going around.


Yuck sorry you guys are sick!! Having sick kids is the pits. I'm sending you thoughts of health and snot free noses!
 
Glad to hear.
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In her case with all her other little set backs I would make sure she gets the whole regiment of antibiotics. I've been guilty of stopping when everything seems fine even on myself. She's a fighter all will be well.
 
I will though she looks at me like Mom! How could you?!?! Lol her my two year old and my two year old nephew are all piled up in the floor watching LILO and stitch. She right in between them so she is warm and they are quiet.....shhhhh I'm sneaking off to use the bathroom alone!
 

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