Gardening folks, how to revive old soil?

[HardDrive]

At the start of every season, I put in one bag of organic manure for every 4'x4' of soil, and sprinkle some Osmocote fertilizer on the surface. I turn that into the soil. Works like a champ.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

i sent an email off to the people in that link Baz posted, hopefully they will be able to test my soil and maybe recommend how to amend.

Thanks again guys!

Bingo! Now you’re on the right track. Our Ohio State ag extension service just recommends a commercial place.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

At the start of every season, I put in one bag of organic manure for every 4'x4' of soil, and sprinkle some Osmocote fertilizer on the surface. I turn that into the soil. Works like a champ.

Glad you mentioned fertilizer.

I think most here know that Osmocote is a slow release fertilizer.

Little liquid filled pellets, more or less.

As the pellet material breaks down over time - the nutrients contained within' slowly eek their way out thus providing a nice even flow to the plant(s).

There are other forms of slow release and also a variety of products with various analysis's and slow release combinations.

If memory serves....Osmocote makes a 14-14-14 which is 100% slow release, meaning all the NPK is slow release. (They used to also make a nursery fertilizer 18-6-12 too).

From a different company (I think Scotts makes Osmocote) I have used a 13-3-13 with 40% slow release on the NK, but not the P.

If you really want to play with the numbers - it's all there in the 'guaranteed analysis' - which by law is on every bag. Sometimes a little tricky to do the calculations.

But a reputable company will put the info you need right on the front of the bag.

I guess bottom line is slow release type fertilizers cost a little more but are worth it in the long run, so do your homework and don't forget this vital aspect of proper gardening....

One last comment....for years and years I have always said the 2 most misunderstood components of landscape maintenance are pruning and fertilizing. And it is so true.....

[Crowbob]

I'm a fan of Milorganite.

Milwaukee owns the patent on repurposed sewage. Really good stuff but you need a ton of it and it's not so cheap. 6% N but with a ton of micronutrients like Fe (iron). Can't burn anything, slow-release and smells like, well you know what it smells like.

It takes a while to show results but it is feeding the soil, not the plants. I put it in the broadcast spreader and am completely unconcerned about where it goes (except for the deck and patio) any time of the year, as often as it's on sale. Over time it's made a huge difference.

[quicksix]

Also look at the organic fertilizer that is on the market.

[Bill Douglas]

Some guy mentioned earlier about aerating the soil. If it has been a garden in the past, so probably all it needs is aerating the soil and NO more fertilizer, it's probably had enough over the years - you can have too much. Turn the soil over and let it breath and dry out.

[quicksix]

You also might check out the no till method of gardening.
I am having trouble using duckduck right now, but searching brings up a bunch of sites that can tell you the benefits and downsides.

[tdw28210]

Buy a soil analysis kit on Amazon.