caltbaum
Newly Registered
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:14 pm
Location: Chula Vista California

New Garden Design from Scratch

Would you help a new gardner with a garden design?

I am planning on growing an herb garden and maybe put some tomatoes or watermelon.

I posted a picture of the hole I started. I am going to make the hole 17' long, 6' wide, and I was thinking about 2' deep. I have several questions since I am beginning my new garden.

Should I dig the hole 2' deep?

I am pulling out mostly soft clay and have gotten down to some sort of clay solidified material filled with smaller rocks. I can dig through it I hope as long as it doesn't just keep going all the way down like this. I have to use the pick ax to get through.

How important is the drainage through the "clayrock"?

I filled the hole at the bottom with water and it doesn't drain very well. The water seems to sit there. I was thinking of digging a trench down the center length ways to help water drain in the center. Also along the sides of the trench I was thinking about "butterflying" the sides even deeper to help with drainage.

What sort of layers of soil should I create?

I have potting soil, garden soil, manure, gypsum, and the clay stuff I am pulling out. What would be a good mixture? Should I fill the bottom with the manure and then give a clay layer on top?

I am also posting some weird rocks I found inside while digging.


[img]https://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt263/caltbaum/IMG_5200.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt263/caltbaum/IMG_5191.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt263/caltbaum/IMG_5190.jpg[/img]

[/img]

bullthistle
Greener Thumb
Posts: 1152
Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:26 am
Location: North Carolina

Obviously need the exercise or why else are you digging down to China. For vegeys you only need six inches of good soil and mulch every fall and turn it under in the spring. Don't waste you money on potting soil. Start a compost pile and put you clippings and kitchen scrapes in it and by next spring you'll have the best potting soil. Mix manure and what soil exists and that will give you a good start. In the fall collect all the leaves you can and tunr the pile every week or two and add moisture.



Return to “Flower Gardening & Garden Design”