adagiogray
Well-Known Member
I've read most places that a 'sandy loam' is optimal for growing hops.
I've also read that loam soils are a variable ratio of sand, silt, and clay as described in this diagram: http://nesoil.com/properties/texture/sld005.htm
Gathering what I could about those ratios, I interpreted that 'sandy loam' is about 50 percent(or MORE) sand, 25 silt and 25 clay. That sounds like a lot of sand. HALF at a MINIIMUM? Also, should it be coarse or fine sand? If coarse, how coarse?
Is this stuff I can walk into a Lowe's or Strader's Nursery and say "hey, I need some sandy loam?", or will I need to mix it myself?
I also read that manure would be good to add in, for a subtler, extended nutrient release that is better/safer than chemical fertilizers. I'm not sure how much is too much. I plan on hitting these guys up the road from me at http://www.ohiomulch.com/c-29-soil-products.aspx , at least for the manure (I assume $1.59 for 40 lbs of composted manure is a pretty nice price?) I considered picking up their topsoil at $1.19, but it gives no silt or clay ratios. Guess I'll have to hit Lowe's or Strader's after all.
So, here's my newb hop grower project:
I'm doing 8 plants around my back cement patio, only extending into my small-mediumish suburban back yard a few feet. I was going to build a short brick border to have a slightly raised bed, and do a soil pile for each rhizome, staking a rope behind each plant, secured under a brick. I still have to see where I can connect the lines to the house the best, as I'm sure the HOA wouldn't be thrilled about a 20' pole in the back yard, and dropping a pole sounds too much like work. Fortunately the back yard is south, so lots of sun all day long. Downside is that even with me having a 6' wood privacy fence, there arent very many or very big trees to cause any sort of windbreak, so we do get some high winds at times.
I'm in Central Ohio, with a fairly clayish soil that is so firm you can't even hardly get a shovel past the sod. I had a fence put in a couple of years back, and the workers even complained they had trouble getting their (powered)posthole digger down in it.
Should I go to Lowe's and rent a rototiller this weekend, or will it even touch harder clay soils?
I chopped down a lot of rose of sharon and some stunted evergreen bushes from the target area last year, buy I never tore up their root system.
So, In a nutshell: Is this 'sandy loam' a premix or a DIY thing? Is rorotilling before dropping the bricks and soil a good idea? Or should I rototill this 'sandy loam' and manure right in? Do you suggest sisal rope or should I do something reusable like nylon?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
I've also read that loam soils are a variable ratio of sand, silt, and clay as described in this diagram: http://nesoil.com/properties/texture/sld005.htm
Gathering what I could about those ratios, I interpreted that 'sandy loam' is about 50 percent(or MORE) sand, 25 silt and 25 clay. That sounds like a lot of sand. HALF at a MINIIMUM? Also, should it be coarse or fine sand? If coarse, how coarse?
Is this stuff I can walk into a Lowe's or Strader's Nursery and say "hey, I need some sandy loam?", or will I need to mix it myself?
I also read that manure would be good to add in, for a subtler, extended nutrient release that is better/safer than chemical fertilizers. I'm not sure how much is too much. I plan on hitting these guys up the road from me at http://www.ohiomulch.com/c-29-soil-products.aspx , at least for the manure (I assume $1.59 for 40 lbs of composted manure is a pretty nice price?) I considered picking up their topsoil at $1.19, but it gives no silt or clay ratios. Guess I'll have to hit Lowe's or Strader's after all.
So, here's my newb hop grower project:
I'm doing 8 plants around my back cement patio, only extending into my small-mediumish suburban back yard a few feet. I was going to build a short brick border to have a slightly raised bed, and do a soil pile for each rhizome, staking a rope behind each plant, secured under a brick. I still have to see where I can connect the lines to the house the best, as I'm sure the HOA wouldn't be thrilled about a 20' pole in the back yard, and dropping a pole sounds too much like work. Fortunately the back yard is south, so lots of sun all day long. Downside is that even with me having a 6' wood privacy fence, there arent very many or very big trees to cause any sort of windbreak, so we do get some high winds at times.
I'm in Central Ohio, with a fairly clayish soil that is so firm you can't even hardly get a shovel past the sod. I had a fence put in a couple of years back, and the workers even complained they had trouble getting their (powered)posthole digger down in it.
Should I go to Lowe's and rent a rototiller this weekend, or will it even touch harder clay soils?
I chopped down a lot of rose of sharon and some stunted evergreen bushes from the target area last year, buy I never tore up their root system.
So, In a nutshell: Is this 'sandy loam' a premix or a DIY thing? Is rorotilling before dropping the bricks and soil a good idea? Or should I rototill this 'sandy loam' and manure right in? Do you suggest sisal rope or should I do something reusable like nylon?
Thanks in advance for any advice!