I moved into a new house and there was a big pile of coal waste from the fire in the garden.So I spread the pile out iwith a rake and intend to put compost and grow grass on it.What I want to know is will this grass be toxic or dangerous when eaten by the cat or the dog? Thanks for any help
In this case I would suggest speaking with your vet about the safety of this in your lawn.
estions? I have a soil test done every year. My ph was at 8.2 so I added sulfur to correct it last fall. Would the ph cause the slow growth?
Yes, that pH is way too high for any plant to survive. Did your soil test, also, reveal really high levels of potassium or phosphorus? This will cause a high pH. I would offset with some nitrogen. Iron sulfate will be a little more effective at lowering the pH as well.
This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/raise-acid-level-soil.htm
t. Under some of the plants the soil is grey coloured, quite dry and lifeless. It looks a little like ash but is not. The plants don’t seem to be effected, but we have removed most of the grey soil and replaced it.
Oh boy , that ashy looking substance is actual a healthy fungus that lives in harmony with your plants , most likely it was there due to the poor condition of the soil and was helping the plants roots maintain moisture. Since you have already removed it no worries but be sure to mix a well proportioned amount of compost , manure , topsoil and your old native soil around the plants , you do not want to shock them by giving them too much of a strange environment. In the future that ashy substance under the plant in the soil can stay , that's healthy fungus. If you see any fungus on the top of a plant, leaves , buds etc then that is always a bad unhealthy type of fungus that you need to treat right away. Happy gardening ?
Clay, sandy loam
I think you're asking about decreasing pH. Using pH is a much sounder way of thinking of soil acidity since there is a concrete scale to guide decisions. Step one is to test your soil to determine what the pH is. Without this information, you'll have no idea how much acidifier to add. You'll need to monitor the pH on an every year or two basis because changing soil pH is not a "one and done" task. There are several products you can use but follow instructions carefully. It is possible to burn plant roots if too much is applied at one time. Here is an article that discusses different forms of sulfur and how much is needed. https://hort.uwex.edu/articles/reducing-soil-ph/. Check your own state's extension service for information that addresses the soils in your area.
I intend to turn some lawn into garden next year. Should I broadfork it this fall or wait till spring. Not totally level and I fear erosion.
Although erosion is a legitimate concern, there are many benefits to tilling in the fall. This will give time for air pockets to settle, while still allowing the soil texture to be ideal. It is also a good time to till in your amendments to allow them to break down over winter.
Still, many people choose to till in spring, which is fine as well. Ultimately the choice is up to you.
I put a large amount of used coffee grounds on my indoor plants and now the soil has a top layer of fungus or mold. I unthinkingly mixed this soil further into the pots soil. How can I fix what I've done and will I have killed my plants?
Was this Starbucks coffee, or Peets? De-caf or regular? Are the plants getting a little jittery?
Just kidding :) I don't think you have anything to worry about. The mold is superficial on the decomposing coffee grounds and should not have any adverse effect on the plant and roots and soil. Working it into the soil surface is a good thing.
Do you know about EM-1? It's like a 'pro-biotic' for soil and plants. Order a pint of this fantastic stuff and water with an EM solution according to directions. It will neutralize and digest any harmful fungi and bacteria, and have other beneficial effects.
https://www.teraganix.com/EM-1-Microbial-Inoculant-Microbial-Inoculants-p/1000.htm
A small area of my garden has liquified, if I put weight on the area it just sinks I.e. the soil has turned to mush. How do I stabilise this small area
It sounds as if excessive water is pooling in that area. You may have to work on drainage, so that the standing water has a way to drain away from that spot. Without seeing the lay of the land and the nature of the native soil, its not possible for us to give specific directions on how to achieve this. We recommend that you hire a local landscape specialist to consult and make recommendations.