On 01/18/2015 08:14 AM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
Todd wrote:

My soil is "decomposed sandstone". Like Decomposed granite (also
called DG), only way uglier. Even the weeds have a hard time growing
in it. I would probably have better luck trying to grow things
with soil from the moon.

It would help to know your location, but it sounds more like your soil
drains too quickly, like trying to grow crops in beach sand... adding
fertilizer won't help if it just washes away. You need to amend your
soil with organic matter and some sort of inorganic water retension
material. It would definitely help to have several inches of good
quality topsoil added. Most plant nurseries carry a variety of
amendments and can advise for your area:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07235.html
http://www.technogreencorp.com/water...t_aquafeed.htm
http://www.geltechsolutions.com/soil...ural-uses.aspx


Hi Brooklyn1,

Actually water tends to run off it. We are the lake bed of
the ancient Lake Lahontan. And my soil was graded 20 feet
down from the surface when they put houses in (I work for the
guy who did the grading).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Lahontan
The map doesn't show its complete extent.

Think clay amended with sand.

And I do believe you are exactly right on the amendment.
The local compost place has the perfect soil and compost,
but it gets expensive and I really want to put the money
towards the raided beds. I usually put 8 bugs of
compost down on my tiny garden. Every year things get better.
Two years ago, I got my first earth worms, which is a
good sign. Everyone that I have asked that has used their
soil and compost has had bumper crops.

Last year, although I whined a lot about it, I got more
Zukes in one week that I had got in all the previous years.

I still have to figure out what that stupid white powder
is that gets all over my zukes towards the end of the season and
kills them. I am NOT sky watering them. Shake the leaves
and get a white dust storm.

-T