Super soil amending

The following is a list of soil amendments for (at-grade) garden preparation:
4 parts – existing and/or native soils (cultivate and loosen as deep as possible before adding amendments)
2 parts – Soil Mender Topsoil
2 parts -- Soil Mender Composted Cotton Burrs
5 lbs. per 100 sq. ft. – Soil Mender Planters II
5 lbs. per 100 sq. ft. – Yum Yum Mix
5 lbs. per 100 sq. ft. – Soil Mender Stimulate (Molasses+Humates)

Soil amendments (backfill for containers and raised planters):
2 parts – High Country Gardens potting soil or Sungro #902 and/or #702 potting soils
2 parts – Soil Mender Topsoil
1 part – Soil Mender Composted Cotton Burrs
1 part – existing site and/or native soil
5 lbs. per 20 cu. ft. – Soil Mender Planters II
5 lbs. per 20 cu. ft. – Yum Yum Mix
5 lbs. per 20 cu. ft. – Soil Mender Stimulate (Molasses+Humates)
40 lbs. per 20 cu. ft. – Scoria (vesicular lava)

Notes:
1. 1 cu. yd. = 27 cu. ft., Example: 1 cu. yd., 4 in. deep, will cover 81 sq. ft.
2. We used these named “Soil Mender“ products, because they are readily available in Northern New Mexico and are composted. Good composting techniques will kill most weed seed and is easier to work with when cultivating. These amendments are not the only sources, they are just the ones we used.
3. We also added coffee grounds, compost, worm castings, old potting soils, and other products, when available.
4. We tried to be 90-95% ‘organic’ in our approaches to soil preparation. Like anyone else, we’d like to minimize our exposure to toxic materials.

Soil prep 101

The following is a general soil preparation process that we have used with some success in Northern New Mexico. For us, the most critical part of a successful garden is the condition of your soils.


First, do not till or cultivate invasive weeds and seed into your garden. Remove existing weeds, grass, and other plant material. This should go into your compost pile/pit or disposed of, if it contains weed seed.


Tip: use sharp tools…particularly shovels, picks, and other hand tools. It will reduce your labor by reducing friction and resistance with every stroke.

After that, cultivate or double dig the existing soil as deep as required for your project. We recommend 8-14”. Remember to adjust for final grade after all the amendments are added. It is likely you’ll have to remove some of the native soil. Your finish grade with all the organic amending will be approximately 2-4” higher than the previous finish grade.

Another option is the use of a compost pit (to be discussed in a future post).


Next, spread and cultivate compost (Soil Mender Topsoil and/or Soil Mender Composted Cotton Burrs) across the bed area - 4" deep for groundcover, 6" deep for shrubs and vines, and as much as 8" deep for vegetables, perennials, groundcovers, and small shrubs.


Next, add dry molasses, Planters II, and Yum Yum Mix at a rate of 2 lbs. per 100 square feet and mix into the upper 2-4 inches.


Finally, level with steel or leaf rake and plant.


Some of the tilling/cultivation may have to be accomplished by hand.


Tip: you can soften compacted garden soils by watering the night before you start working.


Put a mulch layer around transplants and seedlings when they are large enough. Cover all the bare soil. Small gravel mulch for cacti, penstemon, and lavenders.


Tip: work your soil early in the morning before it gets too hot. A better idea would be to do some of the heavy work during the winter or dormant season. You won’t run out of energy as quickly!

Cool season vegetables

Starting cool month vegetable crops at 7000 feet of elevation…

Broccoli can be planted between March and June. It requires approximately 4 months to begin harvesting. Harvest the main broccoli heads before they open or they will go to flower. This way the remaining broccoli will produce an extended crop of smaller heads through the rest of summer. The flowers are edible.

Brussels sprouts should be planted between May and June. Their maturity period is 4-5 months. So you’ll have a fall crop.

Kohlrabi and cauliflower can be planted between March and June. They mature in about 3 months.

Cabbages are rather unique in that there are different varieties, named according to when they are eaten (spring, summer or winter) so their planting dates range from March to September. We planted our cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli, directly into the garden this March 2011. 

If needed, you can plant cabbages indoors in a coldframe, then transplant into your garden. They take about 4 months to mature and some cabbages can produce for 2 seasons.

Carrots can be planted whenever the ground thaws or in small containers. Seed directly into the garden between March and April. Plant a fall crop in August and September. If protected from extreme winters, you can harvest carrots during the winter and early spring.

Bush peas can be planted in March and April. They take 3 to 4 months to mature. Be sure to harvest them when the peas are young.

Lettuce and arugula can be grown almost year-round, depending on the variety. The easiest time to plant lettuce is in the spring in April. You can start planting lettuce in coldframes indoors between February to March before transplanting to your outdoor garden in spring. They mature in 30 to 60 days. Plant a fall crop in August and September.

Onions can be planted as the soil thaws. Plant seed, bulblets, or slips. Harvest to thin and for use at anytime. Red, yellow, and white varieties all perform well. The short day forms are recommended at this latitude for good bulbing sizes.

Spinach is extremely hardy and can be sown in coldframes at anytime. Sow in the garden in March-May and again in August-September for a healthy fall crop.

Collard greens are a wonderful crop for children to try as a learning experiment. Easy to grow, the seed can be sown in March-April, with a second crop in August-September. Greens are a healthy (high in a number of vitamins and minerals) southern U.S. traditional food. Harvest the tender leaves and season with pork or search for a vegetarian recipe.

Remember that different vegetables have different tolerance to heat; therefore you need to know the climate conditions in your own area well. Plant your vegetables according to when the temperature is most suitable.

If your crop is damaged…then plant again or re-sow seed.

Original source: Francis King (edited/revised by Greg Tickle)