The Best Poo?

[DC Sunshine]

Hi Linda,

Haven't managed to plant yet, still too cold here, but thanks for your great advice. Yeah the sand does suck up what you put into it, I'll work hard on getting some organics in it, and look out for the weeds. I've got guinea pigs (cavies) so I might start making use of their poop too, although the straw seems to get a lot of ammonia in it from their urine. Not sure what this will do to the balance of the soil.... Maybe plant a lemon tree

Daina

[Georgia Pasty]

Mushroom Manure is brilliant stuff for the veggie gardens
Every thing I planted this year took off like it was on steriods !!!!

Lemon Grass, Chillis, Bell peppers, Grape vines, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Basil, Rosemary, Radishes, Lettuce, Rocket, Butternut , Cape Gooseberries, Gem Squash, Corn, Bringals, Beans, Peas mint, parsley, water melon, pumpkin, Spansek melon, courgettes, peanuts, spaghetti squash, onions, leeks, and every WEED possible on Earth it seems !!!!


as some people say they live like Mushrooms kept in the dark and fed S..t maybe there is something in it !!!

[Dillbert]

DC -

indeed, working organic matter into the soil is moving in the right direction.

the "best" solutions is 'acceptable" organic matter at the least cost - you'll need a lot of it!
and.... it'll take 2-3 years before the organics are fully broken down into a fine tilt that visibly improves the soil structure - so stick with it.
also - major soil amendments require professional soil testing - pH, NPK, etc. will shift with massive additives and you must monitor how it's going.

grass clippings - preferably from not chemically treated lawns (ie pesticide/herbicide residual issues)
leaf mulch / mold
spoiled hay / straw
pretty much all manures are great but care is needed on fresh stuff - for example horse manure is often free for the hauling but fresh horse manure tends to have high salt levels.
mushroom soil - this is a composted / used mix of horse manure & straw - excellent
chicken manure - fresh can is "too hot" - lots of ammonia - best to compost
etc.

use care on fresh wood products - sawdust, chips, shavings - fresh wood actually absorbs nitrogen in the initial decomposition.

for the herbs - as mentioned, many Mediterranean origins like it "high and dry" - some of the best woody / Med. herbs I ever grew were in full sun in a New Jersey sand bank!
you may want to consider a raised bed area for those and keeping some of the sandy soil "as is"

[DC Sunshine]

Sounds like a compost heap might be the go.

About the lawn clippings - we have a fuel mower - wouldn't that leave some harmful residue from the fumes?

[Dillbert]

gas/diesel/<whatever> mowers are not a problem.