Post by ceara on Mar 30, 2009 7:40:59 GMT -5
And if you're at the other extreme like me with mostly sand, steal an idea that I learned from watching a British gardening show where they were digging trenches for runner beans. After a 2-3 spade depth trench was dug, they lined it with water soaked cardboard, water soaked shredded newspapers, grass clippings, rotted manure, and then put the dirt back on top.
It may require more work but it can be done for plants who need a bit more moisture. Actually I have never done this before but will be doing it this year for the first time.
Normally we do not experience drought but the rainfall we get just runs through the sand so we always have to be adding organic matter and mulch to help retain moisture.
I like the idea of putting old wood in as well. Yes it does act just like a sponge.
And also yes plant roots can grow quite a long way if they are given the space. Take a look some time at the people who try and grow monster vegetables to enter in contests. 30 ft long Parsnips, for example. lol One man I saw in a video had growing containers attached to the side of his house and he had to climb a 20 foot ladder just to get up to the top to water the thing! I forget what was growing in there. He is a 10 year giant veg champion in the UK and was pretty fanatic about the whole thing.
LOL I happened to find a short excerpt video from the show, where you can see the guy climbing up the ladder to water.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ckLDQQx2wo
It may require more work but it can be done for plants who need a bit more moisture. Actually I have never done this before but will be doing it this year for the first time.
Normally we do not experience drought but the rainfall we get just runs through the sand so we always have to be adding organic matter and mulch to help retain moisture.
I like the idea of putting old wood in as well. Yes it does act just like a sponge.
And also yes plant roots can grow quite a long way if they are given the space. Take a look some time at the people who try and grow monster vegetables to enter in contests. 30 ft long Parsnips, for example. lol One man I saw in a video had growing containers attached to the side of his house and he had to climb a 20 foot ladder just to get up to the top to water the thing! I forget what was growing in there. He is a 10 year giant veg champion in the UK and was pretty fanatic about the whole thing.
LOL I happened to find a short excerpt video from the show, where you can see the guy climbing up the ladder to water.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ckLDQQx2wo