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Oz

They are putting in a quarry near my patch.
So much for the quietest place on earth!
I am talking with the owners for the topsoil,plants,and landscape rocks/boulders.
The land has not been logged since the 40s.
The soil is black and "loamy"(rare around here).
Would this soil be good for AGs?

4/6/2005 8:02:54 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Take a soil sample, get it tested, I think that would be the best way to tell.

4/6/2005 8:17:05 AM

Montoursville, PA

The extremely valuable soil in such instances is usually very sparce found in the top inch of the soil. More likely it is the top one half inch or less with little pockets a tad deeper between rocks. Such soil is normally acid at PH or 5.0 and fungal in nature. Humus will be high. The NPK is hardly worth testing.

The soil below the top inch or less is hardly good enough to call sandy loam. Likewise is is usually laden with much rock in our aged Northeastern Mountains.

Of more interest to me is the possibility, of clay, showing up, in the quarry, which is loaded with the values of the sea. All clays used in moderation would likely be worthy of anyone's use. All clays come from the bottom of the anchient seas.

4/6/2005 10:22:56 AM

Puyallup, WA

If it's "FREE"....I'd take it! You can always raise the pH with lime.

4/6/2005 7:45:03 PM

Montoursville, PA

Stan.........the point is you can get some great stuff in the mountains one tablespoon full at a time. If a dozer or backhoe moves it you get ninety nine percent sand and one percent humus mixed with lots of unsavory rock.

One would be better off and more profitable bringing in mixed leaves, manures and bagged minerals to make compost on site. That way you know what you have and do not have to wonder what it is.

4/6/2005 10:14:59 PM

Oz

thanks. in the "hallas" the humus is a foot plus deep.
lol,Stan,nothing is ever for free!

4/7/2005 9:56:01 AM

Montoursville, PA

It's a mystery........Old farm in the mountains, faulted from the depths of peat like conditions or a drained bog? It may also be a mecca for you. Let us know what you discover about this find.

If there is no reason to suspect industrial contamination or salt content that would be unacceptable I would say jump right onto this find. Any questions invest in a soil test to be sure.

4/7/2005 3:48:55 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Obviously, soil conditions vary depending upon where you live. In the pacific northwest (where Stan and I live) our rainforest soils are very deep and very rich due to the cycles of the trees. Take all that soil you can get and till it in to whatever you already have.

4/8/2005 1:24:45 AM

Oz

fed-ex me some,,,

4/9/2005 6:53:09 PM