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Location

Message

Date Posted

United States

I added 5 yards of loam to cover my growing area. I raked it flat, but it's relatively loose, and leaves footprints when walked on. Should I use one of those roller barrels to compact it before transplanting my plants from pots, or is the loose soil fine?

5/21/2023 5:53:24 PM

Elk County, PA

Loose is preferred, walking on it and compacted soil is not preferred.

5/21/2023 6:28:05 PM

United States

So the roots won't have difficulty grabbing hold in loose soil?

5/21/2023 6:35:35 PM

Merrimack NH

Go with Loose -and don't walk on it. Use walking boards. Do everything you can do not to compact the soil!

5/22/2023 9:22:33 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Loose is great but I'd run the tiller lightly to mix a couple inches of the patch soil into the top compost you brought in.

Good luck!

NO ROLLER BARREL! That's for after you cut your mustard.;)

5/22/2023 9:36:48 AM

Syracuse, NY

Andrej, for me, anyway, the best walking boards are a 4' X 8'
sheet of plywood available at a Lowe's or Home Depot, let's say,
cut into 6 pieces at 16 inches X 4' long each piece,
5/8 inch in thickness. They will do it FOR you just by your asking;
The grain of each must run LONG with each piece for the least
flexibility (very important); They will each last for several YEARS and storing them in the garage over winter would add to that 'shelf life';
Narrow boards like 2 X 4s or pieces of beam or scrap do not distribute
the weight of a human effectively and the 16"-wides fit comfortably
between the vines. You want to minimize soil COMPACTION by as much as possible.
I hope this helps---eg

5/22/2023 12:56:47 PM