I have extremely poor soil that seems to be 98% stones! What do you suggest for planting on the level areas (right now I have been planting dutch clover) and on the steep areas? I've tried getting some ground covers established on the steep areas but they dry out and then when it rains they wash away. Thanks for any suggestions.
A big piece of information that you've neglected to provide is where you're located. What kinds of plants you can grow depends very much on your USDA hardiness zone. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/planting-zones/usda-planting-zone-map.htm
Here are some articles that have tips on dealing with hilly areas: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/slope-hill/hill-ground-cover.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/slope-hill/watering-hillside-garden.htm
The best thing to do with poor soil is to amend it with organics. It will take several years of determined effort, but it can be done. This article will get you started:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/improving-garden-soil.htm
If adding peat moss and dairy doo, which do we put first - the peat or the dairy doo? This is to amend sandy soil.
It does not matter whether peat or manure go in first as they are all worked into the soil evenly.
Here is an article on sandy soil amendments that will help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/amending-sandy-soil.htm
My husband keeps dumping old coal ashes from the grill in my garden. I have a vegetable garden and would like to know if this will harm the plants. Thank you very much.
I think this depends more on the type of charcoal used. If it's natural wood charcoal then it's okay to put the ashes in your compost or mixed in with the soil of your garden. If it is the type that has additives (chemicals), including lighter fluid, then I wouldn't use it in garden or even compost. Check the ingredients and the label. Also, be sure to let it sit for several months to age before using on plants when putting the ashes in the compost. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/wood-ashes-compost.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/composting-ashes.htm
I am preparing the soil for raised veg bed and have some extra wood chips from a flower bed last year. Can this be put into the soil for the veg bed? My reasoning was to put in toward the bottom for filler, aeration and maybe promote microbial action.
As long as they have been sitting awhile (a year should be sufficient), then I don't see why this should pose a problem, though mixing with compost may be better.
I live in Providence, RI. I have 2 questions. When is the best time to plant a climbing rose bush? And I have beds with ornamentals in the front of my house, flowers and rose bushes in the back. Some people tell me to use mulch in my beds and some people tell me to use peat moss. Which or what is best to keep the soil fertilized? Thank you:)
You will need to check with a local rose society to find out the best time to plant a climbing rosebush there, I plant rosebushes very early in the spring here in Colorado which is mid May typically to early June. I prefer using the shredded wood mulch as the peat mosses can carry some funguses and molds that will spread disease to the roses and can actually cause us gardeners some issues as well. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/roses/rose-pickers-disease.htm
I received the results from my soil test and very high Nitrogen (93ppm). They recommend a high feeding grass only cover crop. This will add the needed organic matter (0.8) and lower nitrogen level. Question is, will Rye grass do the job? Thanks Don, Zone 9
Yes, Annual Ryegrass can be planted as a cover crop.
Here are some links with more information.
http://covercrops.cals.cornell.edu/annual-ryegrass.php
http://www.mccc.msu.edu/states/Ohio/OH_CoverCrops_to_Improve_Soi&Water_Quality.pdf
Can I dump unused jars of tomatoes on my garden without putting too much acid into the ground. I plan on roto-tilling it under before winter. I have 100-150 jars.
It would probably be ok since you are planning on tilling it all up, though I think adding them to the compost pile might be better. In a compost pile, you would be adding additional items to help balance out all that acidity. You may want to test the soil first should you decide to put them directly into the garden to make sure the area isn't already too acidic, which would not be a good thing. But a soil test would at least let you know what other nutrients, if any, need to be added so you can take care of it at one time.