In article ,
"Gary Brown" wrote:

Hi,

I am terracing a slope on our yard. I am unsure whether to put
in topsoil or just mix manure or compost into the existing soil.
Wouldn't the latter allow a higher concentration of plant
matter?

Also, I will need to temporarily move some plants while
terracing. What is best to do with those plants until
replanted?

Thanks,
Gary


Is this to be a decorative garden, vegetable garden, or a blend of the
two?

What kind of plants need to be moved?

I suppose you could buy "organic" top soil, otherwise you are taking the
chance of ending up with someone else's problem (think heavy metals). So
I'm recommending you blend your own. Ideally garden soil should be 30% -
40% sand, 30% - 40% silt, and 20% - 30% clay. Final organic content of
the soil should be between 5% - 10%. More isn't better, because you will
be generating excessive nutrients, and the land will settle more as the
organic content is converted back to CO2 and water.

If mixing manure and compost, try for a ratio of 25/1 for
carbon/nitrogen.

You may want to look at the discussion on manure at
Http://www.plantea.com/manuer.htm

How common manures measure up
Manure Chicken Diary cow Horse Steer Rabbit Sheep
N 1.1 .257 .70 .70 2.4 .70
P .80 .15 .30 .30 1.4 .30
K .50 .25 .60 .40 .60 .90


How common manures measure up
Manure Alfalfa Fish Emulsion
N 3 5
P 1 1
K 2 1


Sources: Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, An
Illustrated Guide to
Organic Gardening, by Sunset Publishing, and the Rodale Guide to
Composting.

Note: Nutrient values of manures vary greatly, depending on the diet and
age of the animals, and the nature and quantiy of bedding in the mix.

If you decide to do "terra preta", use 5% - 9% charcoal with other
organic material to a max. of 15% (organic material + charcoal).
--
- Billy
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the
merger of state and corporate power." - Benito Mussolini.
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/7/2/maude
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