Foxfield wrote:
My local Quarry are quite happy to have the Public go down with a
Truck or a car and Trailer for materials.

You need to weigh-in and then pop into the office to just tell them
what you're after. They'll point you in the right direction. Take
a
shovel with you!

Try not to get in the way of the big wagons and machinery, they're
often on piecework.

Weigh yourselves back out and pay them at the office.



http://foxfield-parva.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk
"sahara" wrote in message
om...
Ok. This question is related to an article that appeared in
kitchen
garden a few months ago, i think there was something on radio 4
about
it recently too. Some people have been doing research into using
quarry fines to replenish soil mineral resources. I think the idea
is
that combined with compost the result will be a more lasting and
robust soil as well as producing vegetables with greater mineral
content.
And i have an allotment with a very clay soil which is about a
foot
lower that the neighbouring plot. As you can imagine it is
currently
looking like a bit like a very muddy swimming pool.
So i am planning to add as much material as i can over the next
few
months and years. Obviously i want to keep costs down and am
looking
at the best option for the best price. I am considering using
quarry
fines but have no idea about how to go around buying the stuff.
I was also wondering about using building sand, community compost,
tons of manure, sharp sand?? Would i be in any danger of polluting
the plot with any of these??
Any comments are welcome either on the whole using of quarry fines
issue or advice on what i can add to my lotty to make the soil all
nice and high.
sarah a

How fine are these quarry fines? (I've never seen any.) My thought is
that if they're very fine, they won't do much for the texture of the
soil, and clay is pretty rich in minerals already. There's also the
question of what stone the quarry produces: limestone, shale,
sandstone, etc are all different chemically.

If the material _is_ very dusty, perhaps conventional sharp
(gardenr's "sharp", not builder's "sharp")sand might be better? Plus
as much organic matter as possible, of course.

Mike.