Add Topsoil Or Mix Manure/Compost With Existing Soil?

 

Hi,

I am terracing a slope on our yard.  I am unsure whether to put
in topsoil or just mix manure or compost into the existing soil.
Wouldn't the latter allow a higher concentration of plant
matter?

Also, I will need to temporarily move some plants while
terracing.  What is best to do with those plants until
replanted?

Thanks,
Gary

 

On 8/3/10 4:27 PM, in article
udSdndz96cwb58XRnZ2dnUVZ_o-dnZ2d@supernews.com, "Gary Brown"


First - create a holding bed for the plants you are moving.

The second - it depends. Are the plants/grass growing there now healthy and
happen?


Honestly, I add compost, manure, shredded paper to every new planting area.
(The shredded paper is to deal with the huge volume we happen to be creating
dealing with old paperwork. )

Do you need volume or do you have enough soil to create the terrace


Cheryl

 

My soil has virtually no organic content, so I add compost or manure to
improve it.  This is in addition to fertilizing.  Chemical fertilizers
do nothing to improve inorganic soil.

It is important to remember that compost often is relatively deficient
in nitrogen.  You may need to add nitrogen, perhaps by also adding the
freshest manure you can find.  The fresher it is, the more nitrogen it
has.

What is your soil like?

    Una

 

On Aug 3, 5:24 pm, u...@att.net (Una) wrote:

But don't you have to let that manure age a little before replanting
the area? I have been told that really fresh manure will damage root
systems.

Chris

 


Depends what kind of manure and how pure.  Poultry manure is higher in N than
mammal manure.  Manure with a large fraction of bedding is lower in N.  Horse
manure is lower N than dairy cow manure.  Depends also on how much manure you
apply, the N content of the existing soil, and how much N your plants require.

    Una