dry soil
Anyone have suggestions as to the best way to re-hydrate dry soil with it turning hard? I have let the soil dry for over a month now and last time when I transplanted and watered the soil turned hard. I have both perlite and vermiculite. Thanks for any and all input.
Legalize it already
Sounds like your soil is kind of dead at this point, so either replace it or rebuild it.
Some interesting discussion on vermiculite:
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/...093625312.html
"Posted by gardengal48 PNW zone 8 (My Page) on Wed, Jan 7, 09 at 8:32
This is pretty much a non-issue. The only vermiculite mine that has ever been a problem with asbestos contamination is the Grace mine in Libby, MT and that was closed in 1990. There was a huge cover-up and lawsuits and the issue was in the news for years in the late 80's and early 90's. And while this mine did produce the bulk of the world supply at one time, the majority was used in insulation products, not soil amendments. Older homes that used this type of insulation (called Zonolite) may still present a health risk if undergoing remodelling, so be advised. Otherwise, any vermiculite you will find now either loose or included in soil mixes is asbestos-free.
Vermiculite is not a volcanic rock. It is a mica-like clay that is heated to expand in a process called exfoliation. This process enlarges the mineral and creates spaces - pores - that allow oxygen exchange and water absorption. Personally, I don't consider it a great potting soil additive as once the vermiculite becomes fully saturated, it starts to breakdown and collapse and any drainage and water retention benefits it may have provided to potting soils become lost. Not too many good quality potting soils still contain vermiculite for this reason - good drainage is paramount in container gardening. Perlite, which IS a naturally ocurring volcanic rock, is a much more common additive and doesn't deteriorate after prolonged exposure to moisture. Vermiculite does make a great propagation medium for cuttings or starting seeds, either on its own or mixed with peat or fine soils, and can be used safely for any kind of temporary growing situation such as this."
So basically it breaks down pretty fast and you have to keep adding more, especially if you want to be recycling your soil from harvest to harvest.
From the Overgrow FAQ:
Recycling Soil
Used soil - Reusing soil has a few downsides such as it makes it easier for diseases, viruses, and pathogens from entering your garden. Also peat based soils break down and become acidic. If you fertilize with chemicals you'll end up with salt buildups that will slow growth. Unless you like to take chances, have a good eye, and a good horticultural understanding, you may be better off with staying with fresh new soils. That said; I grow strictly organic and I've always reused my soil. I don't sterilize the soil between plantings as my soil is full of microbes and predatory bugs that keep the bad bugs under control. After each crop, I chop up the soil and root balls with the leaves, stalks, etc and let compost for about 3 months. I then mix it up and add about 2 - 3 cups of lime for every 50 gallons composted soil. I also add about 1/2 cup epsom salts, 2 liters bone meal, 1 liter blood meal, 1 liter kelp meal, 1 tsp trace elements, and enough perlite to regain the porosity of the original soil. I used to add a bag of manure, but I was getting fertilizer burn and so have stopped now.
As I've been fine tuning this, the plants just keep getting healthier and I haven't had any real pest problems for quite a while. I know this is a controversial approach and maybe even risky, but it allows me to keep my garden pretty much self contained. I don't attract attention by buying bales of soil every 3 - 4 months year around, or in the disposal of leaves and soil after each crop. It's definitely not for those who want sterile crops and those that use pesticides and chemical ferts. I believe in working with nature, not against it. After several generations, a nutrient imbalance developed which was only solved by leaching the soil thoroughly. My hunch is that one of the micro-nutrients was building to toxic levels. I guess farmers don't get this problem because they have the winter rains to leach excess nutrients from their fields.
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He uses a good amount of compost, which is probably best, that would possibly take the place of vermiculite. You might want to look into adding some sphagnum/peat moss, which turns acidic as it breaks down so + dolomite lime..
Yeah, they say soil is easier but it's a shitload of work and you need strict regiments and known good recipes to keep it healthy and productive.
the soil needs organic matter.
dig in a good amount of compost and some fine chopped Lucerne.
also add some manure (matured chicken, cow, sheep)
and finally some lime or dolomite to sweeten it up.
water it with Seasol or other seaweed extract and the worms will go crazy.
it'll be so healthy you could eat it raw
I tend to agree that you need more raw organic matter in your soil. I would recommend some compost but also recommend mixing in Peat Moss at a 3:1 ratio. Verm and perlite may aid with drainage if your soil is prone to clumping/caking. Hopefully your corner of the world isn't frozen right now and you can get some decent stuff. If you want to try and further improve your soil I would recommend brewing a compost tea (several threads on this forum with info on the simple process) and adding that following mixing in your peat at 3:1 (plus any compost or worm castings available).
In the end, in principal it is nice to reuse something, but as commented earlier there is always a time when a judgment needs to be made based on efficiency and effectiveness versus risk and reward. Consequently, if it was me I would toss the soil in question and buy new. Even when you "dispose" of old soil you can still add it to gardens outside so it will continue to be useful.
cheers
/MNT
Thanks for all your responses I appreciate all the advice. My soil is a mixture of potting soil and mushroom compost and also fish meal and bone meal. I just neglected to keep it moist for the last month. Thanks again.
legalize it
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