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My husband built me some really nice raised garden beds. He ordered a load of (he said, Garden Soil) but I'm really concerned because this stuff is strange to me. It is very black, feels like crushed charcoal, it will leave black on your fingers if you rub it together, very loose and easy to work with (looks great) but it really doesn't hold water very well, particle are the size of broken down leaves, not like sand, not soft, almost course. Any clues? And what can I add to it?
Get one of those inexpensive soil test kits at the garden center and see how it tests out. If the tests are good for nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous, the appearance won't matter much. Composting over time will bring it into line too.
Thanks Randy, I have the electronic probe for ph & fertilizer and they seem in line, Just thought I might add something to help retain moisture better.
Sounds like black loam!
Black loam by itself doesn't stay moist on its own!
You will need to add some peat moss and composted manure in order for moisture to be retained!
Thanks Latebloomer, where can I get coco fiber?
RonsGarden, what is black loam made of? I am going today to buy some peat moss and compost. I have several 16 foot long X 3 foot wide X 12 inches high beds, about how much would you put in 1 box (48 cubic feet)?
Black loam is mosty organic matter such as from composted leaves with some sand and other organic stuff mixed in!
In itself, it rarely forms a good soil structure and water has a hard time penetrating it and dries out quickly. Adding peatmoss and composted manure helps to bind the loam and helps retain soil moisture!
Once you get the peat and compost mixed in level and tamp the soil down. Give it a really good watering and leave it for a few days before planting anything! The watering helps to settle the soil and and gets rid of air pockets in the soil.
I'm not very good at calculating the volumm needed!
You may find that as the soil settles you will probably need to top it off with more loam, peat and compost to bring the level up to where you want it!
The soil will continue to settle, and by next spring you will need more soil!
So, make sure you tramp down the soil as you mix it and spread it around. I find waling on it really helps!
Remember: light, fluffy soil is not what you want!
Hi Butter bean! I use to live in Jax and was in the construction building industry for about 20 years there. What part of Jax are you in?It sounds like "hard pan" which is a layer of soil /sand that is usually about 4-5 feet under ground. It will turn to black sand as you try to use in in the garden. It takes a lot of ammending for growing. It essentially has no value except for fill. Here in Fl you can get it for next to nothing. All the advice for ammending above is great. Since I know the area I know what is readily available for you cheap and free.
1st contact the land fill. They have compost for free. You have to haul it but they will give it to you.
2.) Start colleting bagged leaves and grass cuttings curb side. I lived in Mandarin adn that's a great area for those who bag grass clippings.
Just off of 220 in Fleming Island is College Rd. There is a landscap[e place that has Mushroom compost for $30 a yard. This would be great to put on top and then work in. I sugges using alot , about 3 inches on top and just till in about 1 inch deep . Other wise it won't do any good.
This winter reduce your garden to a 1/2 size. on the half not being used, cover with lots of orgains like leaves and grass. Just pile it up. You can even thinly layer newspaper. It will degrade and add body to that hard pan. Keep it watered. I like to lay soaker hoses under the toppings and kust keep it good and moist. Then in the early spring til it all in . The next year do the other side. You can also grow cover crops. I will pm you because I want to make sure you see this post.
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