Father in law used to garden pretty big. Old age prevented him from gardening previous 5 yrs. He has since died. Now his wife and me want to garden this year. Hoping I can get his tiller started :) What supplements should I add to soil when turning over in April?
You may not to add anything to your soil.
A soil test is the best way to start your gardening venture.
Your local County Extension Office can help you with a soil test.
Here is a link to find your closest office.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search/
After you have the soil test results you will know what your soil may need as far as amending it.
Here are some links to help you get started.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/starting-vegetable-gardens-guide.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/vegetable-gardening-advice.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/improving-garden-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/too-much-nitrogen-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/what-is-organic-material.htm
We live in the south of France and we have rich black topsoil with no stones in it. We wish to plant exotic plants; for example, a Yucca on a 30 degree slope. Do I need to add small stones or sand to the soil when I dig out the hole for planting the tree? Will that make it well drained?
Here is a link that will help you perform a soil percolation test.
Why is vermiculite used in gardening?
Vermiculite helps with soil structure.
Here is an article that has more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/vermiculite-growing-medium.htm
How much cottonseed meal should I use for watermelons?
1 to 2 inches of cottonseed meal can be worked in around the plants.
Here is an article that will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/cottonseed-meal-fertilizer.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/watermelon/growing-watermelon.htm
I live on an island and had garden soil delivered but now it says to mix 50/ 50 with my soil - but we have very little soil here as it is all rocks. we are putting large planters around the south side of our deck instead of railings. We ordered Zgarden Soil - Scott's from Home Depot and it was delivered by barge. However, now I see where it says to mix 50/50 with our soil. The problem is we have very little soil on this island and what we have is choked out with salah or cedar roots. I cannot return the soil. What can I do? I have perlite I can mix in - would that help?
You can sure use the soil mix you purchased. Adding some sand to the mix would be acceptable. Make sure it's clean.
Do you have any compost available to you? This would also be a great addition to the mix.
Some perlite could also be used.
Your looking for a light, loamy feel to the mixture. It needs to retain moisture but drain.
Mix in a large tub or even on a large tarp laid out on the ground.
Here are a few links to help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/using-topsoil-and-potting-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soilless-growing-mediums.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/perlite-potting-soil.htm
Should I put down gypsum before a rain to help work it in? I would like to know when is it the best time to apply gypsum to my garden.
If you have determined through a soil test that you need to add gypsum to your garden I would suggest working it into the soil as evenly as possible.
I wouldn't necessarily work it in before a rainfall.
I myself may wait until after the fall clean up and work in the gypsum.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/using-gypsum-in-garden.htm
I would like to know the nutrient content in vermiculite.
Vermiculite by itself doesn't contain nutrients. However, it has a high capacity to absorb nutrients, which leads to one if its uses in gardening: making sure potting soil retains nutrients so that plants can absorb them. Here's more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/vermiculite-growing-medium.htm
Purchased vermiculite sometimes has added nutrients. Check the packaging for the amounts.