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Compost/soil mix

13 years ago

I just purchased a yard of compost from the city for my raised beds(I am fully satisfied that this is good compost going by smell,texture & looks) and I need to know how much compost to add to soil(compost to soil ratio).I don't know much about the soil except it is fairly sandy.
Thanks for any info

Comments (2)

  • 13 years ago

    When planting blueberries, I mix compost with out native soil 50/50 by volume. That works very well for me, but be aware that compost does tend to settle and decrease in volume, so it might be a good idea to mound up the raised bed, in the beginning.

  • 13 years ago

    You need to add enough compost, or other vegetative waste, to soil to have about 6 to 8 percent organic matter in the soil. To get there in my sandy soil, initially (it tested at 0.5 percent humus) that meant 6 inches of compost followed in the years after with about 1/2 inch of compost and 3 to 4 inches of shredded leaves as mulch.
    Perhaps these simple soil tests will be of some help,
    1) Soil test for organic matter. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. For example, a good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top.

    2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drainsâ too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up.

    3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart.

    4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer your soil will smell.

    5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy.