seedmama, you never did tell us where you got those tons and tons of discarded produce for your lasagne beds (unless I missed the post) ... I have waited all summer ... I want to know ... pretty please ...

I have some foxglove I summer sowed and could plant except I'm afraid to with temps in the 90s and no rain. We're supposed to cool down mid-week and I plan to plant them then. Like you, I worry about the frost date (mid-October here) but will forge ahead on the "nothing-ventured-nothing-gained" premise.

Here's wishing us both luck.

Yes, I need to post the final tally. It was the yin to the Energizer Bunny's yang. It just kept coming, and coming and coming....

That's a nice theory, BUT when it comes to fertilizers(organic or otherwise), too much (toxicity) is just as bad as not enough. Not to mention that the excess leaches into and pollutes the ground water.
Not trying to be a butt or anything :D

Vera

Vera, thanks for the input. When I said no analysis, I meant no overthinking the process. I have had my soil analyzed and the net result is this: No nitrogen, no phosphorus, no potassium, no trace minerals, no nuthin. Just virgin sand with occassional tiny smidgens of clay.

I spent my spring and summer hauling in literal tons and tons of organic material to build 11,000 square feet of lasagna beds 18" deep. I developed biceps that frightened not only my husband, but strangers standing in line at the grocery store. (They should whisper more softly.) This is a great way to start but for now the only measurable change in the soil is a huge spike in acidity. It will take years of amending my soil this way to get it where it needs to be, and will still not give me the NPK I need NOW. I have many WS seedlings which were put out in March. They are still less than an inch tall. If they don't get some root development before frost all my sowing efforts will be chalked up to a fabulous experience, with no second year perennials to show for it.

I speak often and at length with my county extension agent about my soil issues. When he looked at my soil results he knew where in Oklahoma, within two square miles, I lived without even looking at my address. We have agreed that while many people do overfertilize their lawns, leaching all sorts of goodies, I am currently at no risk of doing so.

The message to be heard in my post is that I am not one to do things willy nilly, casually, out of context, or without careful knowledge acquisition. I am on the opposite end of the spectrum, and have been known to think so long on coming up with the perfect plan that I miss the window of opportunity to execute. I am meticulous, organized, and appliance salesmen hate to see me coming. Winter sowing has been a wonderful medium to help me develop into a better me, and I remain quite pleased with myself for making a decision and executing it.

Seedmama

Seedmama
I am great beliver in natural enriched soil. It is usually very difficult or very expensive to buid soil to good quality loam when one starts where you are now. Usually patience is the key and adding layer of organic matter couple of times a year will give you excellent results.
I do understand your desire to give your seedlings best chance. Good luck and hope next spring your seedlings will be strong and healthy. You still can keep adding organic matter into your flowerbeds as long as it does not go on top of the plant crowns.

Seedmama: I have been trying to do the organic thing too. While I've been composting and adding that to my beds for many years, it's only in the past few years that I've stopped using strong chemicals and salts, like Miracle Grow. And I use no-till and mulch my beds with organic materials. I do see a big difference in my soil, I think, and I have a huge worm population now.

I'd recommend reading "Teaming With Microbes: A Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web". The authors stress the importance of feeding the soil, not the plants. It's a great reference.

There are also a lot of helpful, knowledgeable folks on GW's soil forum.

Karen

Can we see those biceps LOL!
Your right about pure sand...sand has no CEC (cation exchange capacity) and cannot hold on to nutrients to feed the plants...it just leaches away. A foliar spray would have worked out better for quick action :D
Keep building it...they will come!

Vera