breakintheweb

I was wondering if anyone here has tried a Polyacrylamide product to increase soil water retention. I have very sandy soil and although i have added organic matter, i find it still tends to dry very quickly in the hot Florida sun.

Nicolas Naranja

It don't believe it would work on sandy Florida soil. Polyacrylamide is primarily used in areas with clay soil to improve infiltration into the soil. On sand, you problem is less likely to be water infiltration and more of a problem with water holding capacity. The best way to improve sandy Florida soil is to add organic matter. There is also a product that several of the large commercial growers are using called Zeba. It is actually a polyacrylamide tied to a starch molecule. Zeba for Plants

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Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

Gabe15

You can always add more organic matter and things will only get better, so if you've added some, and still aren't happy, add more. Even a top dressing will eventually break down and infiltrate the soil. So if you can afford it, just keep loading it on.

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Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

breakintheweb

Purchasing good organic matter/soil amendments here is expensive.

I started a compost pile but am lacking in nitrogen rich organic matter so it's very slow to break down.

What are your thoughts on planting a cover crop such as Rhizomal Peanut?

Thanks for your responses.

Nicolas Naranja

It will provide some nitrogen, but will likely not add enough organic matter. What county are you in? In Palm Beach, I can get a cubic yard of compost for $30.

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Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

sunfish

I have clay for $10 a yard

harveyc

Where are you located? Some places have free compost from yard waste. See Free Compost and Mulch from Sarasota County

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sunfish

Free Compost and Mulch from Sarasota County

Does Your County Offer Free Compost? - Florida Gardening Forum - GardenWeb

Call your county today and find out if they provide free compost and mulch for their residents. In some counties, even though the compost and mulch isn't free, it is sometimes sold for a very reasonable cost.

breakintheweb

Thanks for the heads up. It's $10 per cubic yard which is a great price. Problem is, I don't have a truck or know anyone that does.

sunfish

Trash cans,trash bags,

breakintheweb

It's a pretty professional operation. They use a crane to drop two giant shovels full in to the back of a truck. You then go the weigh station with a ticket.

I thought about lining my trunk in plastic but it would be to hard for them to maneuver the compost in. I would only be able to fit half a load any way.

They do sell it per bag @ $2.50 but i would need 40-50 bags and need to make 4-5 trips.

I'll look in to renting a truck for the day.

Thanks again for the advice.

Ivanov_Kuznetsov

You don't need to purchase anything, unless you have to rent a truck/trailer for a day. What's worked for me out here in Dover/Plant City is to layer mulch, leaves, manure, leaves, suitable organic matter, compost, etc.

You can get free mulch/leaves from the tree services; it will rot well and makes for a nice layer in between leaves and manure.

On the subject of manure, just call up some barns; use google to find 'em. They'll be more than happy to let you come out and take the surplus **** off their hands.

There is a season for lawn services of vacuuming leaves. They have to pay to go to the dump and will GLADLY give you unlimited quantities of nothing but dry dead tree leaves.

sunfish

Most tree trimmer will deliver mulch for free.

breakintheweb

I have a 250 year old oak tree next to my house that drops tons(literally) of leaves.

I guess the best option is too go on craigslist and start shoving crap.

Ivanov_Kuznetsov

The only thing about the leaves is that they are kinda spent compost wise. They don't contain much in the way of nutrients except bound mineral compounds best released by burning.

You need some sharper stuff with nitrogen especially to balance it out a bit. Horse bedding + manure from stables is free to those who ask (9 times outta 10). The bedding helps trap nitrogen from the urine, so you get the additional urea load to mix into your compost pile in addition to the manure.

Tree services will put you on a list for mulch for free delivery if you ask, but that is unreliable. Wait until you see them working near your house and tell them you want a couple loads. Walk the guy over to your place and show him where you want it dumped. This method always works for me -- screw the waiting lists. And, speaking Spanish is a plus.

Happy hunting