How can I revamp my sandy soil in Northern Michigan ?
It's fall here now and all my plants, bushes are needing me to revamp the soil that in Northern Michigan. It is 99 % sand and about 1-2 inches of top soil. We have a short growing period and I want to help this soil to feed and look better for the plants next year. Can I use Lye, coffee grounds or egg shells to help with this problem. Thanks
Related Discussions
GNATS - How to get rid of them?
Somehow my house and garden got tiny gnats that killed my fuchsia plant and fly everywhere. I have tried ALL the Web recommendations - soap and oil dishes, sand in th... See more
Marigolds growing! Should I pinch the buds?
My marigold plants are growing. I heard that pinching the buds until Autumn will allow them to grow without killing the plant. Is this true?
Growing garlic
Growing our first garlic, should we wait until the leaves are drying out before we pick it? Husband picked first one today along with our first potatoes.
How to keep mice out of your garden?
Hi everyone, I have mice in my garden destroying my vegetables and I have also noticed them in the barn and shed. Please can someone tell me how to prevent them from ... See more
What's the best flower/plant to grow in Texas?
I know that opinions vary, but what's your opinion?!I have great luck w Rosemary plants. Green all year long.
How can I revitalize my soil that was sprayed with Roundup?
How can my garden soil overcome an area where some Roundup was sprayed?
I am not sure about the soil type in Michigan but I do know if use the correct way it can make vegetables grow bigger and sweeter. I found this it may help https://plantcaretoday.com/12-ways-to-use-wood-ash-in-the-home-and-garden.html. Please remember that lye is caustic so read direction and take precautions. You may be better off using composted material such as leaves and grass to inhance your soil.
Your best bet would be to find a sheep farmer and buy a couple of truck loads of sheep manure. Spread it like top soil. This will not burn your plants and provides needed nutrients.
Compost is great for soil amendment, also egg shell and coffee grounds. You can also buy top soil by the truck load but probably would have to put sod on it or grass seed. It may be too late in the season for the latter.
Top soil is ok, but it doesn't have the nutrients that telling in lots of organic material or even potting soil to give them better growth. If you till in a lot, you can make the soil part deeper for better root growth. You may need to amend some each year because it is so sandy, but your plants will love it, Vivian! I cover my gardens with the leaves off the trees each fall and till them in once the ground is workable and once the lawn start being cut, I use the clippings around all my plants to help hold in the moisture and also nourish the soil as it breaks down.