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Omaha, Ne.

I really screwed up. I used aged horse manure this year and not enough city compost. I was thinking I had enough organic matter from last year. Plus I added more sand.
All that equals concrete. The soil is hard as a rock.
Is there any thing I can do to help it? I was thinking I could add some more city compost on top.
Any suggestions...Thanks

6/5/2012 8:47:46 PM

Onawa,Iowa

Liquid Gypsum
See if any of the HH chime in.

6/5/2012 10:50:26 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Darren, I use liquid gypsum in the spring since I have clay soils, but I know it is loaded up with calcium so not sure how that would affect you now with the soil chemistry if at all.

Without turning the soil, you can use a pitchfork to gently loosen the soil which migh help break it up.

6/6/2012 11:16:50 AM

President - GPC

Yup, Luke said it ....pitch fork it and apply compost....at least where the rootZ havent gotten to yet...add wormZ to help as well...

6/6/2012 12:45:33 PM

Portsmouth, RI

I used Aerify Plus this year and pleased with the results.
My soil is clay based and had problems with drainage, but the Aerify really seemed to work.

6/6/2012 3:48:34 PM

Rapid City, SD

broad fork it

6/6/2012 9:06:43 PM

Omaha, Ne.

Good idea matt. Can I barrow your new one. lol. Live and learn. I put what I thought was enough Pellet gypsum..Guess not. I put some more compost and tilled it. Pitchfork around the plants. I still trying to learn if it would be ok to use liquid gypsum with plants.
Who ever said growin kin's was easy...Should of stuck with tomatoes. HA

6/6/2012 11:02:14 PM

Central Minnesota

Broad fork ahead of the plant and to the sides. Not much you can do near the plant but it has a lot of growing to do yet. Get the soil loosened up ahead of the main and ahead of the secondaries and it will help a lot.

6/6/2012 11:02:57 PM

Buffalo, New York

Get a Broadfork

6/7/2012 7:42:23 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Broad forking is a good temporary fix but it won't change your soil. Like the Dude said, aerify plus followed by regular applications of compost tea may, repeat may, improve the condition and tilth of your soil. Good luck Darren.

6/7/2012 9:41:38 PM

Muddy Waters

What kind of sand did you get?Theres is one kind that does get hard like cement.

6/7/2012 9:45:17 PM

Omaha, Ne.

it was sand bag sand

6/7/2012 10:05:32 PM

Bethlehem CT

Darren, your plants look great, I wouldn't say you screwed up at all. Your results show differently.

6/8/2012 9:09:37 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Darren look at your cup as half full, at least the plants won't be going anywhere in a wind storm.

6/8/2012 3:23:19 PM

Omaha, Ne.

Ha.. I'm glad the 1674 likes it. And we'll see luke, it going to be windy tomorrow.

6/8/2012 3:50:56 PM

President - GPC

Broadfork will change it BIG TIME....did mine...air...dirt likeZ air. I also ammended with big gravel....to help change the structure of the soil.

6/8/2012 3:56:52 PM