On Mon, 30 May 2005 02:24:15 GMT, "Jim Carlock"
wrote:

Well, let me tell you where I'm coming from. I'm thinking along the
lines that clay holds moisture a little better than sand. And I said
alot of water because the water drains through the sand here, so
the soil the cucumbers are growing in here dries up pretty quick.

So here are my thoughts. If you've got some that already planted dig
up the some of the clay around the top (the top soil), mix in some of
that composted cow manure dirt from Home Depot, chop up a
banana peel, mix in some dead dried up leaves if you have some,
mix in some coffee grounds and then apply that as the new top soil.

Some other things I'm doing that seems to work really well, is I dig
up some sand every so often, put it in a bucket, mix in some of that
composted dirt, put in coffee grounds from used coffee filters, mix
in some sphagnum peat every so often. It's still sandy but it's a heck
of alot better than plain old sand and the sphagnum peat seems to help
the water retention properties. Dead leaves and buds that falling off an
avocado tree are a real blessing, and perhaps you can do something
similar with whatever type of tree grows around your house. I use the
needles and blossoms that fall off jacaranda trees here.

Thanks for the suggestions. Does this mean I have to start drinking
coffee? Ewwww. I'm afraid I'm incredibly ignorant in these garden
matters so I ask: Do the coffee grounds and banana peels add
nutrients or are they just to make the soil more water retentive? Do
you have to worry about adding some type of tree detritus that might
add something bad to the soil?


"Sue" wrote:
They get a lot here. My 2nd year they did really well (as only
zucchini can - my friends were starting to lock the doors and draw
the curtains when I came up the walk toting a bag). Not much I
can do about the heat.

Not sure what you're meaning there. :-) They're afraid of you? g

Only when I get in a temper fit. A force to be reckoned with. G


The farmers have tractors that they use to plow the land and turn the
soil? :-) So if you're clay is really tough and thick, make sure you turn
it and mix in some dirt and dead leaves and composted banana peels
and coffee grounds. I think the clay will start to work itself into a
better soil as the sand here is doing for me. Turning the clay will help.

The only sand I can come up with here is expensive "play" sand.


I take back my statements about the heat and sunlight. Silver-leaf white
fly and a hurricane did my cucumbers in last year. I guess I'm thinking
along the lines that the heat and sunlight stressed them, but maybe I'm
inproperly thinking so.

Hope that helps.

Thanks. Now, who do I know who drinks coffee? Hmmmm.
Sue