In article
songbird writes:
Billy wrote:
...
http://puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Cha...l%20Myths_file
s/Myths/Compost%20overdose.pdf

The author of that page seems to have the impression that soil in
residential areas has been previously well prepared.

Maybe current construction does that, but not earlier (post WW2)
developments. The only really good soil I've had in a residential
development was around a house built in 1905. That lot was never
scraped.

My soil (house built & lot scraped c1960) is clay with about one
inch of grass roots on top. The material in the roots might be
called topsoil, but that would be generous. Digging in the sod
gives reasonably good plant health for one season, maybe two. After
that, squat. (That was this year, large disappointment and small harvest.)


Ideal soils, from a fertility standpoint, are generally defined as
containing no more than 5% OM by weight or 10% by volume
...


bah! humbug!

some plants grow great in straight organic compost or
high organic content soils. squash, tomatoes, potatoes,
melons to name a few.

I can confirm that ground ivy loves the stuff. :-)
The old pile, that I was supposed to spread before the snow started,
is cacooned in the stuff.

cheers and etc. hope y'all aren't freezing...

12F this morning, predicting 4F tonight.
I'm ready for spring.


--
|Drew Lawson | If you're not part of the solution |
| | you're part of the precipitate. |