Comments on: Soil Prep for Edibles

By: Opal

Opal — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:13:31 +0000

There are some great “repeling” products out there. I have a friend that keeps every thing out of her flowers with it. Comes in a spray, for some reason critters just don’t like it, and stay away, but, you must refresh it as per directions. Best wishes,, Opal

By: Opal

Opal — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:08:19 +0000

I can feel your stress. When all else fails, I use Deadline, man that stuff works. It is not organic, but when your back is to the wall, you gotta do what you gotta do. I lived in Tenn. and now live in OR. on the west side the slugs are weighed by the pound, and the Deadline stays even through the heavy rains. Let the drops fall about one inch appart around the outside edge of where your plant hangs down. Best wishes,,,Opal

By: Joel

Joel — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:51:44 +0000

I had a yard once that was pure clay, I turned my flower beds with a spade and sprinkled gypsum on and within weeks these huge clods crumbled to nothing, then I stirred in the soil additions – compost, manure, etc.

By: Joel

Joel — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:46:16 +0000

I have a question – what kind of lumber is best for creating a raised bed garden? Can I use the “treated” (wolmanized?) lumber found in most home improvement stores, or are there chemicals to be concerned about in these?

By: Celeste Villegas

Celeste Villegas — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 00:35:44 +0000

getting my raised bed up higher each year until it isto the tops of the rocks..But my soil over here is a mixture of good dark dirt an clay also I have a lot of lime stone in the ground..Besides cow manure, top soil wood chips an compost what would you recommend to get the soil right for growing veggies an herbs? Thank you for any tips.. Celeste

By: Julia Pettijohn

Julia Pettijohn — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:20:17 +0000

I live on “reclaimed” mine land. It drains well, but is hard and nothing but shale about 2″ down. I had to start raised beds. We had such a hard summer, last year crop was poor. What would you guys suggest to amp up production?? Jobes??

By: Beth Byrne

Beth Byrne — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:41:42 +0000

Every time I use organic fertilizer my dog digs into it. Does anyone have any suggestions.

By: Beth Byrne

Beth Byrne — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:39:07 +0000

Hello Everyone,
I’m taking out my front yard and planting drought tolerant plants.
Does anyone know how to kill the grass? The folks at the water dept recommend using Round-Up.
In the back yard I am replanting my yard which is filled with sticker grass with a new lawn (so my dog can play and be happy) Thanks for tip about Buffalo Grass. I will look into it.

By: Charles Livings

Charles Livings — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:03:35 +0000

slugs are problem will try nails, lint..beer didn’t work

raised beds new soil, manure, etc…
how does shredded paper work?? holds moistue, does it bring roachs, slugs??

By: Brunhilde

Brunhilde — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 17:30:45 +0000

Re slugs: I save my dryer lint and put it around the plants. I used it on my hostas last year and never replaced it and had no slugs.

By: Nikki Dotson

Nikki Dotson — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:41:32 +0000

Have you done any gardening with straw bales? Our electric coop had an article on it last spring, and I was wanting to give it a try this year. Any tips/hints would be appreciated. Love gardening and trying to make the best of a situation here in Ark. where I have lots of room, but not great soil. I do container plantings for the patio, but run out of room for the larger things (okra, green beans). Just wondering if there are any dos and don’ts that I really need to know before I start planing this year. Thank you

By: Liz Sanders

Liz Sanders — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:04:40 +0000

Thanks for the information about “The slug problem.” They are devouring my pansies and now that I have my first raised bed I will try the copper wire, egg shells, and beer. Nails would be too risky for me.

By: P. Allen Smith

P. Allen Smith — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:31:41 +0000

Great Diane! Let us know how it works out for you.

By: Diane LaSauce

Diane LaSauce — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:42:45 +0000

Found Jobe’s Organics easily at Lowe’s yesterday. Already in the pea rows!

By: mary dimock

mary dimock — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:25:12 +0000

I was wondering if Buffalo grass would survive in Northern NY? We are zone 3 almost to the Canadian border.

By: Vickie

Vickie — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:29:50 +0000

REgarding slugs in raised bed and or gardens…. I use cold ashes from the fireplace or fire pits. sprinkle arond the plants & even on it if you need to do so ….. I have done this for years .

By: Erica

Erica — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:48:56 +0000

You can purchase copper ribbon and run it vertically around your raised beds. The slugs will die when they come onto contact. Broken eggshells around the plants helps too. The slugs don’t like the sharp edges.

By: Kay

Kay — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:41:40 +0000

My mom would put nails near the plants and the slugs would curl around the nails. She had no problems then.

By: Janice Steed

Janice Steed — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 05:57:19 +0000

Re: the slug question:

I’ve been told that a saucer full to the rim with beer, which is then recessed into the bed, and the edge of the rim flush with the top of the soil – will attract slugs. They will slip in and drown.

By: Tania

Tania — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:05:53 +0000

I live in Idaho too. Best soil for boxes is Mel’s mix from Square Foot Gardening. 1/3 each compost, vermiculite and peat moss. It is so fluffy and holds water like a dream.

Tania