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Lexington, Ky

After spending a number of back breaking hours in the patch the past few years, I decided to take a "sectional" look at my soil. This is what I found:

The top four inches: Very dark color, lots of visible organic matter, light, fluffy, no compaction, smells "earthy".

The next inch and a half: Dark grey color, very little visible OM, slightly compacted but crumbles easy. Smells "mucky".

At six plus inches (the soil sample level), I have a light colored sandy/clay mix that is much more compacted and sticky with no visible OM and no detectable odor. At this level, I do find a few fat night crawlers. This layer is visually unimpressive and not what I would think an AG should be growing in.

Any opinions on what the layers represent? Should I consider plowing down to or beyond the six inch layer to provide a better mix? Leave it alone?

For what it's worth, this patch was opened up three years ago by plowing 10 inches, followed by the disk. The roto tiller has been the only "mixer" since.

One lesson learned already....my tiller does not till down 7 inches as advertised! Not even close, 4 inches is about right.

Opinions, facts, theories and abstract thoughts are solicited!

Thanks;

Jamie

11/26/2006 8:26:34 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

The tiller cannot reach down as far as the 6" level where you have discovered an anaerobic layer. You might consider having someone chisel plough the patch to get air & some of your well amended surface soil down into the anaerobic layer.

11/26/2006 10:02:20 PM

Lexington, Ky

Thanks Tremor. Suggestions on how deep to chisel and chisel spacing?

11/27/2006 11:26:59 AM

Lymington UK

Over here in the UK we have just sub soiled our patch which is the same thing as Tremor suggests. We normally only have to do it every three or four years it depends on what your sub soil is like. It will help your drainage and with the extra aeration in the soil make a huge improvement to your root structure. The best way to stop “Panning” is to keep of the patch when it is wet and put down some walking boards. Hope this helps Ian

11/27/2006 12:39:52 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Not sure of your patch size...but I agree that a double dig method should be applied...Every year pick a 10X10 spot and double dig it...pitch fork style...with OM...should be fine for 1000sf area. will definitely stop the panning.

11/27/2006 6:24:24 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

How deep is that hardpan? If you don't have a long soil probe then dig a few small diameter test holes. Ideally you would like to break to see a plough break through the hardpan & reach just below it. This won't be feasible in all situations.

11/27/2006 10:44:28 PM

Lexington, Ky

Got it! Thanks much.

Jamie

11/28/2006 9:08:01 AM