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- Q.Science Project - We're doing a science project. What will happen if I add these things to my soil? Will it harden or ...
- Q.Mexican Vegetable Garden - I am helping a friend with a vegetable garden in Baja, Mexico in La Paz. The soil looks good but ...
- Q.What Can I Add To Veg. Garden To Offset Too Much Nitrogen? - After adding too much poultry manure with wood shavings to my garden, I have lush plants with no fruit. What ...
- Q.“gin Trash” For Vegetable Gardens - Is cotton trash "gin trash" really good for vegetable gardens in Houston?
- Q.Potting And Planting - I am never confident that I am doing all that needs to be done when: potting or planting. Is the ...
- Q.Mushroom Mix Organic? - I commenced using mushroom mix in my veggie garden. Can you please advise me if it is organic and safe ...
- Q.Homemade Lime - How can I obtain homemade lime? I learned ways to obtain some materials in order to make a soil acidic ...
Asked by
mineral on
February 8, 2012Q.Science project
We're doing a science project. What will happen if I add these things to my soil? Will it harden or stay the same? talc aluminum halite/sea salt iron sand/silt carbon ashes
Answered by
Heather on
February 12, 2012
Certified ExpertA.All of those amendments will change the soil in some way. The questions is though, what kind of soil are you starting out with? For example, if you have clay soil and you add sand, it will harden the soil. But, if you have loamy soil and you add sand, it will loosen the soil.
It would be best to test each amendment with your local soil type to determine how it will affect your soil.
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
February 17, 2012Q.Mexican Vegetable Garden
I am helping a friend with a vegetable garden in Baja, Mexico in La Paz. The soil looks good but I wanted to know if this desert climate needs any particular nutrients. They live right on a river bed. I think they should be able to grow melons in the sandy soil next to the river, but the garden spot up hill is my first question. Also, are any berries adaptable to this climate? I know the intense summer heat will not be an option for any vegetables.
- Answered by
Nikki on
February 17, 2012
Certified ExpertA.Your best bet for this type of climate would be growing plants in raised beds or containers. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/raised-vegetable-gardens.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/designing-your-container-vegetable-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/berries/berries-growing-container.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
bellhaven on
March 12, 2012Q.What can I add to veg. Garden to offset too much nitrogen?
After adding too much poultry manure with wood shavings to my garden, I have lush plants with no fruit. What can I amend the soil with to encourage fruiting while waiting for the nitrogen levels to fall?
- Answered by
Nikki on
March 13, 2012
Certified ExpertA.This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/too-much-nitrogen-soil.htm
Adding more phosphorus to the soil will help to encourage more fruiting. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/phosphorus-plant-growth.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
BCconsultant on
March 12, 2012Q.“gin trash” for vegetable gardens
Is cotton trash "gin trash" really good for vegetable gardens in Houston?
- Answered by
Heather on
March 18, 2012
Certified ExpertA.Gin trash is a plant byproduct, so it can be composted. The trick is getting it to compost. This article can help with that: http://www.ag.auburn.edu/auxiliary/nsdl/scasc/Proceedings/1998/Gordon_b.pdf
There has also been some success with it as a mulch, but normally it needs to be processed to be mulch.
Raw, it can cause drainage issues and can be unsightly. But many gardeners report that if mixed properly into the soil, it is a very good amendment.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
gardeninggayle on
March 21, 2012Q.Potting and planting
I am never confident that I am doing all that needs to be done when: potting or planting. Is the standard potting soil enough to give the plants the best chance or should I amend even those packaged soils?
- Answered by
Nikki on
March 22, 2012
Certified ExpertA.Standard potting soil will work and you can mix compost into the soil if desired.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Johns on
April 26, 2012Q.Mushroom mix organic?
I commenced using mushroom mix in my veggie garden. Can you please advise me if it is organic and safe to use? If it is organic, why do I have to use a face mask covering my mouth and nose when spreading it in the garden prior to planting? Thanking you in anticipation, J E
- Answered by
Nikki on
April 26, 2012
Certified ExpertA.Yes, it is organic. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/mushroom-compost.htm
A face mask or nose covering is advised because of the dust and/or any possible mold spore that may be present, which can pose a problem with allergies.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
lolita on
May 21, 2012Q.Homemade Lime
How can I obtain homemade lime? I learned ways to obtain some materials in order to make a soil acidic such as coffee grounds, citrus peels, etc. But if I need to make the soil alkaline, how can I obtain LIME?
- Answered by
Heather on
May 26, 2012
Certified ExpertA.You can purchase agricultural limestone to add lime to the soil. These should be available at your local nursery or feed store.
You may also find this article helpful:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/lower-acid-soil.htmWas this answer useful?00
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