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Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

I have a chance to actually have a large patch next year but the problem is, the soil is incredibly rocky. Lots of potato sized rocks. If you were me, and this was your only option, what would you do and in what order to get this area ready for next spring?

10/30/2005 7:34:37 PM

Simi valley, ca

thats the way my soil was , i recomend concentrating on an area you think youll be able to handle before spring !eather 500 sq or 1000 sq or so on! but rember the more rocks you remove the more that get closer to surface & at some point it makes more sence to add dirt , than to keep getting lower!!

10/30/2005 9:04:10 PM

Puyallup, WA

Are they "big potato" or "small potato" rocks? How far apart are the rocks.....ie. soil to rock ratio?

10/31/2005 12:12:35 AM

Port Alberni, BC, Canada

Erin, if you are serious about this new patch, the first thing I would do is to get a "rock picker" which is a machine to remove rocks from soil. They work great. Then start adding whatever you can get your hands on to increase the OM. You may be pleasantly surprised what "new" soil can produce.

10/31/2005 1:59:47 AM

Saegertown Pa.

My one patch is on a gravel bank, I throw out the ones bigger than my fist. If I threw out the smaller ones I would have a sink hole. Get a soil test adjust ph, add two to three inches of aged manure or mushroom compost. Get another soil test in the spring, adjust from there.

10/31/2005 6:00:01 AM

Western NY

I'm in the same situation as quinn. old creek bed here. i'm only pulling the stuff that upsets the tiller.

10/31/2005 8:16:19 AM

Carrollton, Ga.

Hi,
How old is manure before it is considered aged.
Thanks,
Doug

1st Cor. 3:7

10/31/2005 8:27:33 AM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

As far as potato size. . . I got little seed potato sized rocks all the way up to those two pound bakers you get at Costco. Y'know, the kind that will feed a family of four? I'm not sure of the dirt to rock ratio, as I haven't actually put a shovel into it yet. (too many rocks). The Dungeness River once flowed through this area and has since become an alfalfa pasture turned semi-residential. After what you've all said, I'm thinking, get the rock picker,(thanks Jake, and yes, I'm trying to get serious :))Get the soil tested,(thanks Quinn) and add a bunch of good stuff on top of that, then get the soil tested again. What do you think?

10/31/2005 8:24:51 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

A Harley Rake on a stout tractor might be coaxed into running deep enough to kick them out to a respectable depth. Harley rakes are adjustable to leave behind a certain size rock. The rest are left behing in windrows. Try calling a local tracotr & implement dealer to find out who has one locally that can kick stones from the covetted 9 inch range. Get a number & call for an estimate.

10/31/2005 9:29:03 PM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

One dude,
If it doesn't smell and is dark brown with no bedding visible it is well aged.
Under some production conditions it becomes pickled because air cannot break it down it could then be several years old and still 'Fresh'this stuff is tan coloured and stinks.

11/1/2005 3:06:24 AM

ENGLAND

I agree with what Steve has suggested and have seen such machines in opperation over here as i used to be involved with Golf Course Machinery repair and maintainance and have also seen Golf Courses constructed from farm & Woodland. Similar types of machines are also used to prepare potato fields ready for planting the seed potatoes as when the crop is harvested there is very minimal stode dug up with the potatoes. These stone/rock removers do a great job and if you think it neccessary you could deep trench bury the stone/rocks outside of the planting areas as this will enable some drainage if neccessary.

Just my 2 penneth worth.

Regards
Mike

11/1/2005 6:10:06 AM

ENGLAND

Stode ??? that's a new one. LOL Obviously meant Stone.

11/1/2005 6:11:21 AM

Long Island,New York

Gather them up and give them out for halloween trick or treaters

11/1/2005 4:30:46 PM

ENGLAND

lmao @ g

11/1/2005 4:46:54 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

I meant to thank you a long time ago for your advice. Thanks everybody!

11/18/2005 1:06:57 AM