How can I revamp my sandy soil in Northern Michigan ?

Suzann
by Suzann

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

  4 answers
  • Vivian Vivian on Oct 15, 2018

    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.

  • Mona Blake Mona Blake on Oct 15, 2018

    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.

  • Roberta Rhodes Roberta Rhodes on Oct 15, 2018

    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.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Oct 15, 2018

    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.