Perth sand improvement
 

Hi :)

I'm looking at trying to establish a vegetable garden (approx 100sq metres)
in my Perth backyard.

The problem is, as anyone who knows Perth will know,is that it's one big
sand pit :(

My current thoughts are to get a load of dried chicken manure (is there a
way of getting large quantities of this stuff for free ?), spread this on
the sand, cover this with fresh grass clippings, more chicken manure, more
grass and etc. Keep this damp using scheme water for about 3 months, turn
the whole area over with a spade and then dig again with a fork.

Repeat above and repeat one more time. This should take me to about October
when I can finally start my summer crop planting.

The questions are :

1. Is it possible to get large quantities of manure (any kind) for free ?
2. Using the process above, is it reasonable to expect that the sand will
be substantially improved ?
3. Is there likely to be sufficient nutrients in the soil to support
reasonably intensive vegetable growing ?
4.Does anyone have any other ideas for turning sand into soil ?

Thanks very much for all assistance.

Ivan.

Perth sand improvement
 

Hi Ivan
Horse manure is usually given away by the stable owners near ascot
racecourse belmont area. Chook manure I think you'll have to pay for but
shouldn't cost more than about $30 a trailer & the egg farms would be the
place to go. If you mix clay with sand it should become loamy & hold more
water. You may need to add lime to break up the clay lumps. Other organic
material will help like compost, mulch, food scraps etc. Try planting some
windbreaks also, shrubs & trees.
Good luck
Marko
"Ivan McDonagh" wrote in message
. 67...
Hi :)

I'm looking at trying to establish a vegetable garden (approx 100sq
metres)
in my Perth backyard.

The problem is, as anyone who knows Perth will know,is that it's one big
sand pit :(

My current thoughts are to get a load of dried chicken manure (is there a
way of getting large quantities of this stuff for free ?), spread this on
the sand, cover this with fresh grass clippings, more chicken manure, more
grass and etc. Keep this damp using scheme water for about 3 months, turn
the whole area over with a spade and then dig again with a fork.

Repeat above and repeat one more time. This should take me to about
October
when I can finally start my summer crop planting.

The questions are :

1. Is it possible to get large quantities of manure (any kind) for free ?
2. Using the process above, is it reasonable to expect that the sand will
be substantially improved ?
3. Is there likely to be sufficient nutrients in the soil to support
reasonably intensive vegetable growing ?
4.Does anyone have any other ideas for turning sand into soil ?

Thanks very much for all assistance.

Ivan.