Haul in compost, buying it in packaged form or by the yard from nurseries. Processors in your area (cider mills, canneries, etc.) often have organic material for the taking. Farms nearby might welcome removal of animal manures: horse, cattle, chicken, rabbit are all good. Of course, chop garden residues and weeds into the soil after the crop is finished. Also chop in the hay or straw that was used as mulch. Gather leaves and lawn clippings and dig them in.
Here's the quickest, least hassle method for taking just about any stretch of soil and turning it into excellent loam. Grow a cover-crop, or green manure, and simply till it in. This practice, when done over time, actually replenishes the top-soil instead of removing it with harvested crops. This is a particular benefit for gardeners who are growing food in the same location over a period of years.
Notes on using green manures:
1.
You can grow green manures in a rotation (an early green manure followed by a late-season planting of produce, or a late cover-crop following an early summer harvest like lettuce and peas) so that even if you have a small garden you will have a harvest crop as well as a cover-crop every year.
2.
Using green manures can be done by any gardener with or without powered equipment. However, a roto-tiller is the easiest method. If necessary, you can rent one.
source : hydroponic
Here's the quickest, least hassle method for taking just about any stretch of soil and turning it into excellent loam. Grow a cover-crop, or green manure, and simply till it in. This practice, when done over time, actually replenishes the top-soil instead of removing it with harvested crops. This is a particular benefit for gardeners who are growing food in the same location over a period of years.
Notes on using green manures:
1.
You can grow green manures in a rotation (an early green manure followed by a late-season planting of produce, or a late cover-crop following an early summer harvest like lettuce and peas) so that even if you have a small garden you will have a harvest crop as well as a cover-crop every year.
2.
Using green manures can be done by any gardener with or without powered equipment. However, a roto-tiller is the easiest method. If necessary, you can rent one.
source : hydroponic
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