On page https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/rosemary/rosemary-grown-in-containers.htm you indicate the potting mix needs to include peat moss or perlite. I am wondering if I can use coconut coir in place of the peat moss.
Yes you can. Here is more information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/mulch/using-coconut-coir-mulch.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soilless-growing-mediums.htm
Thank you. That was helpful.
I have access to lots of decomposed pine needles.
According to this article, they are good for the compost pile, so I would say already decomposed pine straw is fine for the vegetable garden.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/composting-pine-needles.htm
You can add amendments to make the soil less clayey. Here is an article that tells you how.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-to-improve-clay-soil.htm
The man who lived here before us ran a concrete sawing business. Water is poured on the concrete as it is sawed and then vacuumed up before it can run off. The man poured this mixture of water and concrete dust in a low spot, roughly 30x40 feet, of what is now our yard. Nothing grows there now but a few weeds. There is too much to simply scrape off or dig up and our budget does not permit us to buy loads of top soil. We have began a compost pile that should help in time, is there anything else we can do in the meantime?
Start with a soil test; then you know exactly what you have and how to began amending it!
Your County Extension Office can help you with this.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/the-importance-of-soil-for-an-organic-garden.htm
Can I use this in my garden?
Lay the mats one at a time over the soil around the plants. Make sure the mat is not lying over the top of the plant or on the foliage.
Use garden stakes placed every 6 to 12 inches around the outer edge of the mat to anchor the wool to the soil. Place one or two stakes in the center of the mat for extra anchor support if the mat is large. The number of stakes you will need will depend on the area you plan to cover.
Leave the mat in place for up to two years, adding water and fertilizer at the base of the plant or over the top of the mat where it will soak into the wool and release slowly into the soil.
I am removing the deck and the soil under the deck won't even grow weeds, is there a way to revitalize it?
This can be done, but you need to test the soil first to find out what it is missing. This article will help you to find your closest extension service to have your soil tested: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search
This article will help you to amend clay soils: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-to-improve-clay-soil.htm
My garden is sandy soil. Can the silt at the bottom of a former beaver pond good to mix with my garden soil. It is fine, black silt.
The only way to really know what it's nitrogen levels would be, would be to have it tested.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/pond-scum-garden-fertilizer.htm