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Turning a short few inches of compost, leaves or grass clippings into soil will improve it by breaking up tightly compacted areas of clay and improve it by adding moisture and nutrient retentive matter to quickly draining sandy soil.

FAQs

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A wheelbarrow load of mixed organic matter contains partially rotted fallen leaves, coarsely chopped fresh leaves and stems pruned from overgrown perennials and lawn clippings. A wheelbarrow load of mixed organic matter is dumped onto the center of a garden bed.

A mixed load of greens and browns.

It's dumped onto the center of the bed.

The organic matter is distributed and raked evenly across the bed. Lizzy, our soil digging expert, oversees the project. Use a spade or fork to lift both organic matter and soil into mound at the center of the bed. It's okay if you can just loosen a few inches of soil. You don't have to dig deeply--it may be very hard to do the first year you add organic matter because the ground is hard and compacted. A little goes a long way. The next time, and everytime afterwards, will be easier as the soil becomes more spongelike with added organic material.

Rake evenly across the bed surface.

Mound the organic material and soil.

Rake the mound of mixed organic matter and soil evenly across the bed to finish its distribution. Water well and it's ready to plant immediately. The greens will gently breakdown in place and attract beneficial worms to the soil. Mesclun Mixes germinate early and thickly with Winter Sowing.

Rake smooth, water and plant now.

Wintersown Mesclun Mix

Two small lettuce seedlings transplanted and ready to grow.

Two small transplanted seedlings.

Tip suggests these links for further study.
Improving Soils for Vegetable Gardening
by Marianne RioFrio and E.C. Wittmeyer
Ohio State University Factsheet HYG - 1602 - 92
Improving Lawn and Garden Soils
By Christopher J. Starbuck, Department of Horticulture, University of Missouri-Columbia University of Missouri Extension
Soil and Composting Factsheets
Cornell Gardening Resources
Cornell University
Vegetable Garden: Soil Management and Fertilization. Factsheet 7.840
by D. Whiting, D. Wilson, and C. O'Meara
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension ~ Horticulture
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paw-rescue.com
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Rebecca's Garden: Episode REB-608
hgtv.com
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flower-gardening-made-easy.com

"Dog-On-It" Lawn Problems
by Dr Steve Thompson, DVM
Director Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Wellness Clinic,
West Lafayette, Indiana
Plant Answers, Aggie-Horticulture, Texas A&M University

Composting Dog Waste
Cooperative Extension Service
College of Rural Alaska
University fo Alaska at Fairbanks
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