Rocky, clay soil - Page 2

Velutina · 06-21-2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean W.

Velutina, how high did you go with your raised beds?

I used a 12" piece of pine. The soil-less mix is probably 10" deep.

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Richard · 06-21-2008, 08:19 PM

Dean, I'm currently building a raised bed in my front yard. I will fill it with 1/4 native clay soils, 1/4 coarse sand, 1/4 quarter-inch pumice, and 1/4 ground coir or sphagnum moss. These last 3 items I buy in bulk (cubic yard) from material suppliers. Here's a picture of the construction and a drawing made earlier this year when we (bananas.org) were discussing heated raised beds. In the current construction the french drain is already in place and drains to the street.

Dean W. · 06-21-2008, 09:25 PM

Wow, Richard, that's sophisticated. More than what I want. What do you plan on planting there?

I called around for the gypsum. Most places were closed already. I did find one place that has it though. It's just a bit of a drive. Maybe tommorow I'll get some.

Richard · 06-21-2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean W.

Wow, Richard, that's sophisticated. More than what I want. What do you plan on planting there?

True, I won't need the heating elements or insulation for this planter. The drainage though is critical because my soil is mostly clay with rocks and cobblestones mixed in for entertainment.

Originally I was going to put a Mohawk Pecan there, but it died an early and sorry death. Now I'm back to considering a whole assortment of things, from deciduous fruit or berry, perhaps Bilberry or maybe an evergreen fruiting shrub like Chilean Guava. Decisions, decisions ....

pitangadiego · 06-21-2008, 11:12 PM

That's not rock, that's sand. I have rocks from 4" to 16" and the rest is sticky clay. Drainage is almost zero. Dig a big hole, set the plant high, fill it with compost and about 6" above the ground, sort of like a raised bed. It will grow like a weed, if fertilized well. Have a hundred or so planted that way.

Richard · 06-22-2008, 11:33 AM

Yep, San Diego is temperate but the native soil in most places is terrible for non-native plants. Here's a 6 x 6 x 2 foot pile of rock and debris I removed from the planter bed I'm currently constructing:

mskitty38583 · 06-22-2008, 11:46 AM

richard that looked like the pile i had in my yard this past winter. now i just have a pile of chipped wood in my drive way that hasnt found its way into the yard yet. ive slowly, between work and the grandbaby, try to do a little everyday...sometimes it works sometimes it dont. lol.

Dean W. · 06-23-2008, 07:05 PM

Well, I'm not done yet, but here's an update.

Taylor · 06-23-2008, 07:44 PM

Richard,
Those stones would look great in a bed (plant bed, I mean).

Maybe I can find some in the mountains to bring home whenever we go there again.

natedogg1026 · 06-23-2008, 09:15 PM

Looks good Dean. Gives it a "mat look."

mskitty38583 · 06-23-2008, 11:25 PM

awesome job!!!!

Dean W. · 08-01-2008, 07:19 PM

Update, I dressed up the bed. I also have have alot of pups coming up. Seemes to like the new enviroment.

austinl01 · 08-01-2008, 07:37 PM

Dean, your plant look great!

Richard · 08-01-2008, 09:06 PM

I agree, a great implementation. Keep the pups thinned out or it could rapidly get overcrowded!

natedogg1026 · 08-01-2008, 09:35 PM

They look very happy Dean. I might suggest 2" of mulch. It will hold in the moisture and keep the weeds down.

Dean W. · 08-01-2008, 10:55 PM

Nate, I put a bunch of compost around them. I also planted some Colocasia esclenta 'Illustruis' (Imperial Taro) around there. Tommorow I plan on putting on some more mulch. It's been in the 100's here for like 40 days straight.

natedogg1026 · 08-02-2008, 12:20 AM

CookieCows · 08-02-2008, 08:35 AM

Your bed looks awesome!!! I remember that nasty clay and shale dirt! Don't dig down too deep or you might fall through a cave!

I know it's got to feel good to see your nanas flourishing as a result of all your hard work. Beautiful!

Deb

06-21-2008, 08:19 PM	#22 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 761,246 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,537 Times in 4,719 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil Dean, I'm currently building a raised bed in my front yard. I will fill it with 1/4 native clay soils, 1/4 coarse sand, 1/4 quarter-inch pumice, and 1/4 ground coir or sphagnum moss. These last 3 items I buy in bulk (cubic yard) from material suppliers. Here's a picture of the construction and a drawing made earlier this year when we (bananas.org) were discussing heated raised beds. In the current construction the french drain is already in place and drains to the street. __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com Last edited by Richard : 06-21-2008 at 09:10 PM. Reason: comma fault

06-21-2008, 09:25 PM	#23 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,279 BananaBucks : 276,946 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,325 Times Was Thanked 2,130 Times in 972 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 300 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil Wow, Richard, that's sophisticated. More than what I want. What do you plan on planting there? I called around for the gypsum. Most places were closed already. I did find one place that has it though. It's just a bit of a drive. Maybe tommorow I'll get some. __________________

06-21-2008, 11:12 PM	#25 (permalink)
pitangadiego Senior Member Location: San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,489 BananaBucks : 165,910 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 2,732 Times in 930 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil That's not rock, that's sand. I have rocks from 4" to 16" and the rest is sticky clay. Drainage is almost zero. Dig a big hole, set the plant high, fill it with compost and about 6" above the ground, sort of like a raised bed. It will grow like a weed, if fertilized well. Have a hundred or so planted that way. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com We Be Bananas http://webebananas.com

06-22-2008, 11:33 AM	#26 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 761,246 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,537 Times in 4,719 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil Yep, San Diego is temperate but the native soil in most places is terrible for non-native plants. Here's a 6 x 6 x 2 foot pile of rock and debris I removed from the planter bed I'm currently constructing: __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

06-22-2008, 11:46 AM	#27 (permalink)
mskitty38583 banana junkie mskitty38583 's Photo Gallery Location: north carolina Find me on the map! Zone: 7b Name: mskitty Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 4,071 BananaBucks : 261,740 Feedback: 26 / 100% Said "Thanks" 82 Times Was Thanked 890 Times in 617 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 136 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil richard that looked like the pile i had in my yard this past winter. now i just have a pile of chipped wood in my drive way that hasnt found its way into the yard yet. ive slowly, between work and the grandbaby, try to do a little everyday...sometimes it works sometimes it dont. lol. __________________ WELCOME TO THE GATOR NATION

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06-23-2008, 07:05 PM	#28 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,279 BananaBucks : 276,946 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,325 Times Was Thanked 2,130 Times in 972 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 300 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil Well, I'm not done yet, but here's an update. __________________

06-23-2008, 07:44 PM	#29 (permalink)
Taylor Taylor 's Photo Gallery Location: VA Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Taylor Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,084 BananaBucks : 296,096 Feedback: 15 / 100% Said "Thanks" 356 Times Was Thanked 662 Times in 334 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 283 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil Richard, Those stones would look great in a bed (plant bed, I mean). Maybe I can find some in the mountains to bring home whenever we go there again.

06-23-2008, 09:15 PM	#30 (permalink)
natedogg1026 Banana addict natedogg1026's Photo Gallery Location: Pittsburg, Kansas Find me on the map! Zone: 6b Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 640 BananaBucks : 334,817 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 139 Times Was Thanked 176 Times in 110 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil Looks good Dean. Gives it a "mat look." __________________ Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

06-23-2008, 11:25 PM	#31 (permalink)
mskitty38583 banana junkie mskitty38583 's Photo Gallery Location: north carolina Find me on the map! Zone: 7b Name: mskitty Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 4,071 BananaBucks : 261,740 Feedback: 26 / 100% Said "Thanks" 82 Times Was Thanked 890 Times in 617 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 136 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil awesome job!!!! __________________ WELCOME TO THE GATOR NATION

08-01-2008, 07:19 PM	#32 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,279 BananaBucks : 276,946 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,325 Times Was Thanked 2,130 Times in 972 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 300 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil Update, I dressed up the bed. I also have have alot of pups coming up. Seemes to like the new enviroment. __________________

08-01-2008, 07:37 PM	#33 (permalink)
austinl01 Got pink bananas? austinl01's Photo Gallery Location: Little Rock, AR Find me on the map! Zone: 7b/8a Line Name: Austin Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,288 BananaBucks : 222,411 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,590 Times Was Thanked 907 Times in 397 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 507 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil Dean, your plant look great! __________________ Austin Arkansas River Valley Average January Low: 31°F, Average August High: 92°F Extreme Winter Lows: 5-15°F, Extreme Summer Highs: 100-112°F, Annual Precipitation: 52 inches

08-01-2008, 09:06 PM	#34 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 761,246 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,537 Times in 4,719 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil I agree, a great implementation. Keep the pups thinned out or it could rapidly get overcrowded! __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

08-01-2008, 09:35 PM	#35 (permalink)
natedogg1026 Banana addict natedogg1026's Photo Gallery Location: Pittsburg, Kansas Find me on the map! Zone: 6b Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 640 BananaBucks : 334,817 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 139 Times Was Thanked 176 Times in 110 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil They look very happy Dean. I might suggest 2" of mulch. It will hold in the moisture and keep the weeds down. __________________ Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

08-01-2008, 10:55 PM	#36 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,279 BananaBucks : 276,946 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,325 Times Was Thanked 2,130 Times in 972 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 300 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil Nate, I put a bunch of compost around them. I also planted some Colocasia esclenta 'Illustruis' (Imperial Taro) around there. Tommorow I plan on putting on some more mulch. It's been in the 100's here for like 40 days straight. __________________

08-02-2008, 12:20 AM	#37 (permalink)
natedogg1026 Banana addict natedogg1026's Photo Gallery Location: Pittsburg, Kansas Find me on the map! Zone: 6b Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 640 BananaBucks : 334,817 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 139 Times Was Thanked 176 Times in 110 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil Yuk! __________________ Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

08-02-2008, 08:35 AM	#38 (permalink)
CookieCows Member CookieCows's Photo Gallery Location: Kentucky Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: Deb Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,182 BananaBucks : 84,059 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,347 Times Was Thanked 696 Times in 393 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 159 Times	Re: Rocky, clay soil Your bed looks awesome!!! I remember that nasty clay and shale dirt! Don't dig down too deep or you might fall through a cave! I know it's got to feel good to see your nanas flourishing as a result of all your hard work. Beautiful! Deb __________________

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