What does DOLOMITE do, and is there a substitute?
It is used to add calcium and magnesium to the soil and gypsum is a common substitute.
To the best of my knowledge dolomite & or perlite are soil additives to keep your soil loose. Personally I don't like it in my soil mixes. You could use plain old playground or beach sand as an alternative. My beds are a mix of black dirt, peatmoss & sand. Peat moss will also keep your soil loose.
Hope this helps!
Earthlady
I would like to plant more trees in my yard (back/front yard), but the soil is absolutely so hard I can't dig the hole deep enough to plant a very small pot. What suggestions do you have for softening the soil to create a large enough hole, so that the roots can spread? I have asked for landscapers to help, but they have broken two shovels and the augor. They feel it will not help. What do I do?
Sounds like clay. I have it too. There is no easy solution. I find a pick maddox and alot of sweat are your best tools. You need to make the hole much larger than needed. I screen the clay to break it up, then incorporate lots of peat moss. The peat helps lighten the soil. Drainage can often be a problem as well. You could always build raised beds too. I found only a heavy pick maddox or pick axe is the only tool that will get you anywhere trying to dig in clay.
Do your neighbors have this same type of soil? Sounds horrid. Our clay gets like rocks, when dry, but you can still dig a hole, especially with an auger. I would ask a neighbor about their soil - sounds like the person who built your house left some very nasty fill. ?? Is the soil in other areas of your property the same way?
Is soot good for my allotment?
It depends on the type of soot.
Wood ash is considered a good amendment for your compost, but should not be added to an actively growing garden directly, though you can add it to the soil in the fall and it will be fine for plants by spring.
Coal ash, like from coal or BBQ briquettes, should not be added to the garden or compost.
thanks heather
Can I put ashes from plant burning (potato tops, daisy stems) in my garden?
I would put it into your compost pile first, just so some of the salts and plant unfriendly chemicals in ash have some time to get leeched away.
You can put it directly on the soil and you probably will not be adding enough so that it would harm your living plants, but it is better safe than sorry.
What can I do to garden now (fall) for next year such as amendments, types, etc. ?
Right now would be an ideal time for cleaning up. This means weeding and pulling up or cutting many plants. Dividing overgrown plants can also be performed during fall. Planting spring bulbs is done now too. You may also want to take this time to protect the garden from winter temps, etc. by adding mulch. Fall can also be a time to prepare next season's garden by planning your designs. As for soil, amending the soil is normally done in spring but go ahead and throw some compost on it now and then mix it into the soil once spring arrives.
I'm clearing out a back corner in my yard - it's been used as a dump site for yard waste for years before I owned the house. There's a giant pine in that corner and weeds grow like crazy there. It's 6 inches higher ground than the yard, and nice and soggy after a good rain. Now to my question. Can I use this in my garden to level the ground at the back half and not cause problems next year for my veggies?
I don't see why not, but you may want to allow it to dry out some, turning (aerating) it with a garden fork or shovel.
What soils and/or other products can I add to my soil that might sustain shrubs and/or flowers?
Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/the-importance-of-soil-for-an-organic-garden.htm
We also have an extensive selection of articles relating to various types of manures and compost found here: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting-basics