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NEPA [email protected] KB3QKV

The reason that I did an early spring tilling is that we are living in a new house and there has never been a garden where I am going to grow the pumpkins. There was a lot of sod removal and the ground was just so hard after the frost was gone that I could not get a soil sample, of which I think is so very important especially that there was never a garden there. Since the ground was so hard I thought it may be better if I just went and tilled it since I need soil samples anyway. I would hate to start tilling in May if there are some deficiencies in the soil. I have read several places including BG that too many tillings may do more harm than good, but considering what I was up against, I thought that getting the soil loose was somewhat important. I may be wrong but it was something that I felt that had to be done.

3/28/2005 8:11:55 AM

Montoursville, PA

I do not think you are wrong at all. When building some turning or tilling action has to move the manures and elements of compost into the first four to six inches.

Don't be afraid to consider Canadian Peat or Mushroom Compost tilled in with the likely need for lime which will not be up and ready to serve your needs early this year anyway. To this I would add some kelp meal..about twenty pounds per 1000 sq. ft. and half a bag of any good organic low number fertilizer simlar to Fertrell's 4-2-4. This plus your foliar fish, kelp and molasses would seem to be a good start on what looks like a new patch to me. This might even be due cause to introduce a manure tea of your liking every two weeks as a drench. There would be a chemical consideration which may be worthy of consideration. That would be Ironite Liquid as an added foliar early in the season while your patch is trying to adjust and get it's own biological ballance in order. I would use Ironite Liquid or Mirical Grow only if the plant showed me weak light green or yellow tinted leaves.

Starting a new patch is a hoot. Done right it will pay major dividends in the second or third year. Your fall manures and leaves or elements of compost followed by a cover crop will go a long ways towards getting you where you would like to be. Good luck on the new patch management. You should still be able to roll out a nice one.

3/28/2005 10:58:03 AM

Puyallup, WA

It has been my experience that with soil in this condition expect two years before it becomes "really good growing soil". The other choice would be to buy top soil and compost and put it on top of your hard soil.

3/28/2005 1:51:48 PM

NEPA [email protected] KB3QKV

So far it has been a hoot. Backbreaking but a whole lot of fun. I can hardly wait till we can go full throttle into this patch. There is just as much garden for the veggies that we are growing also. That is twice as much work but twice as much fun also. Plus the rewards of the pumpkin patch and veggie garden at the end of the season.

3/28/2005 6:45:12 PM