Hello there (my first here)! Last winter my husband and I bought a home on 7 wooded acres. All summer we've spent cutting trees, and have recently purchased a small bulldozer and have begun clearing roots and leveling the land for a garden spot we hope to have up and running by springtime. I was disappointed to find that the soil under all those beautiful trees we cut was solid sand. Very little organic matter. We realize we'll need to bring in some topsoil, but I'm wondering if there's anything else we can do to improve the soil. I'm a little out of my element, as my last garden had the completely opposite problem and was a solid lump of clay. Thanks in advance for any thoughts!
Don`t be disappointed. I raise an excellent crop every year and we are in sugar sand. Only thing I add is some horse manure and use some regular fertilizer. Biggest problem with sand is keeping moisture level up. You can add compost if you want but I would just build up the soil over time. Believe me,, we started same as you with untouched soil,, it will grow more than you think unless your trees on it were pines.
Hi Frogdoc, welcome to GardenStew. If you get a chance say hello in the welcome form. For years my folks gardened in sandy soil and rarely had a problem. Manure and fertilizer augmented their efforts to produce lush green vegetation of their crops. Jerry
Like I said,unless those trees were pine or I might add cedars,,those trees may have helped the soil more than you think. I am sure the leaves fell and composted where they were. You might add a bit of agricultural lime. I am told it helps but I never have.
Congrats, Glad you have some acreage to grow grow grow..... Welcome here to our little growing parlor. Tell us how you do and take pictures. Please? Barb in Pa.
The trees around are all either maple, poplar or birch- all very mulchable species... so that's good. I just learned there's a grain elevator in town that will take a look at your soil for you and tell you if it's lacking in anything- so I will look in to that. I'll make sure to catalog our process. We started with a thick stand of trees and were shocked at how difficult it's been to clear even half an acre or so. It gives me a whole new appreciation for the pioneers who didn't have half the tools we do!
Just use common sense about what that soil test shows. You will know what it needs after your first growing season. I would not worry about it till you try it first.
Others in your area have the same soil, so go look at what your neighbors are growing. Sandy soil is prized around here--the best tomatoes and watermelons grow on it. Don't worry about clearing your land all at once. You can do as those sturdy pioneers did--clear enough to grow a garden and have a clearing around your house, and slowly clear more as you need it. And those sturdy pioneers had a passle of children who helped out! You'll love your 7 acres, and grow some amazing flowers and vegetables. Just remember to take time to enjoy your homestead, too!
I live by the Chesapeake Bay and certainly have experience with sandy soil. Seems like the top 6" of soil is workable, but then there's that hard sand layer below it. Even the top layer gets so dry in the summer that shallow rooted plants have trouble. My wife and I have been working our garden for a few years. First I tilled horse manure into it and since then have been adding grass clippings (great if you fertilize your yard) and in the fall we grind up all the leaves and add them too. My wife even adds used coffee grounds. Just be sure to take pH tests of your soil before you plant, as the pH can change when you add stuff to the soil.
