On 2007-01-16, cd wrote:
About 50% of our lot was thick with mostly pine trees under which was
left as a natural area. We just had many of the pines removed leaving
some large open natural areas full of pine needles, leaves and big
mounds of pine mulch from the stump grinding.

We plan to do a lot of landscaping and put in a garden now that we get
enough sunlight to grow more than just mushrooms and moss. But I'm
wondering what the best first step is to convert the natural areas to
productive gardening soil. My wife thinks we should just spread out the
mounds of pine mulch and mix it with the natural debris. But I'm
worried that all the pine needles will leave a soil that is much too
acidic. I'm thinking we should rake up all the pine needles first.

What is the best way to turn a natural area into a gardening area? I
would appreciate any advice or pointers to information about what to do
in a situation like this.


Years ago Mother Earth News found out the acidity of the material does
not matter. All orgaanic matter tends to cause a neutral ph in the long
run. Their big discovery was it is just about impossible to add too
much. Just apply double the lime the first year.

While you have the stump, I bet you still have plenty of roots that will
play havoc with a tiller the first year unless you grub them out. But
ya gotta start somewhere.

All the wood chips will be slower to break down than the pine straw.
Add extra nitrogen also as the composting ties it up until the material
is composted.

--
Wes Dukes (wdukes.pobox@com) Swap the . and the @ to email me please.

is a garbage address.