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Stratham NH

Have seen some recommendations for digging a "deep" 3+ ft. hole under the mound. Also understand that tap root can grow quite deep. Wondering if 1 ft. deep is enough as "hard pan" prevents me from digging deeper unless I get a back hoe. Thanx. Bernie

11/2/2001 6:27:21 PM

canal winchester ohio

Bernie,
One option you can do is to haul in topsoil, mounding most in a 15' circle & gradually tapering it down. The roots on the outlaying 2ndary vines do not need as deep as soil. It could be set up so where the seed goes in is 3' deep & grade down to 1 1/2 ' in the outlaying areas.
This is just an option............Paul

11/2/2001 6:43:10 PM

Long Island,New York

For isolated holes and pits like we sometimes use at the planting site, why not rent a gas powered fence post auger and auger the bejeebers out of the hole area? Works great !.....G

11/2/2001 6:56:48 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

Whatch out for large hidden stone underneath. I had to put some of my land into a new leach field. While using a backhoe I dug up 3 stones larger than than the backhoes bucket could handle. Renting an auger sounds like a good idea to me.

11/2/2001 8:20:40 PM

Rexburg, Idaho

That hardpan is a problem and it has to be dealt with not ignored. It prevents proper drainage and root growth. I had a farmer with a ripper come in and rip it up this spring. The post hole digger sounds okay but it mixes the topsoil and subsoil which may not be good. The technique of double digging also works but it is alot of backbreaking work.

11/2/2001 11:23:36 PM

walton n.y.

near my patch hardpan can go pretty deep buiding up your soil is a viable way to cope with that problem and bringing in manure and compost is usually cheaper than digging down

11/3/2001 7:17:38 PM

Puyallup, WA

Bernie,
You have described a dilemma that faces many farmers.
If available, get a nearby farmer with his biggest tractor and 24" sub-soiler ripper blades. The sub-soiler attachment alone may cost as much as $5000! When my neighbor came over with his monsterous sub-soiler, it was a sight! His John Deere had 5'+ rear wheels, so it was no puny machine! He "dropped the hammer" ....went 10 feet....and stopped! "What is this?", the astonished farmer replied! He backed up 20', floor-boarded it and with a running start, he dropped the ripper blades. Have you ever heard "Mother Earth" howl? The sounds coming off those blades were incredible! An unforgettable experience!

11/3/2001 8:13:39 PM

Deer Park WA

Stan, That sure sounds better than digging through the hard pad subsoil by hand like I have had to.

11/3/2001 9:36:49 PM