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really dumb soil prep question
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Posted by pbaby z4 Wisconsin (My Page) on Tue, Mar 27, 07 at 19:35
| I feel really dumb asking this, but guess feel a little more comfortable with fellow midwesterners. In the past I've dumbed manure/humus etc. on my beds, but I've read that your'e supposed to dig 2 inches deep...but hey, I already have little perennials popping up and and dearly loved self-sowing annuals. How can I do this without disturbing (KILLING) them? Any feedback?
Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: really dumb soil prep question
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| Interesting.. not dumb.. question. Now that perennials are starting to come up, and you know where they are - maybe you could gently dig down around/between them to mix up the compost. Otherwise, it would probably be okay to just leave the humus where it is and trust that the organic matter will percolate downward with the rains and that the worms will mix things up. How nice to have reliable annuals, too! :-) |
RE: really dumb soil prep question
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pbaby, I think the top of the soil is the best place for your humus stuff to be. disturbing the soil to dig in is not always the best. Certainly is never the easiest. Most of the roots of just about everything you plant, reside in the top few inches of soil. Your perennial 'babies' will do just fine, as will everything else. Maybe you want to cover it all with a good mulch, just to keep in the moisture. My gardens have always thrived on lots of natural 'food', and little or no disturbance. Practice benign neglect.
Pondy |
RE: really dumb soil prep question
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| I usually just add manure and compost to the top, but have also read of someone who uses a pitchfork to poke holes well away from the plant roots. She feels that this helps get the good stuff to the roots faster. I definitely would not dig around very close to the plants. |
RE: really dumb soil prep question
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| Every year, I use compost as mulch without digging anything into the soil. I sprinkle corn gluten on top to prevent weeds from establishing. I have great soil! |
RE: really dumb soil prep question
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| Corn gluten? I have never heard of that. Where do you get it? Is there a particular manufacturer that you recommend? |
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