Whew - your list is exhausting to just read. I also have gone to raised beds and swimming pools (kiddie size). At the bottom of my beds I place 2-3 layers of cardboard, mostly to deter critters from the below soil from entering my new soil. It is expensive for the initial set up, but well worth the differences.
I also discovered mushroom compost last year. ... it is like crack for plants. It is composed of straw, horse poop, and chicken poop and is used to grow mushrooms. When the mushroom growers are done with it, it is dumped for new, lively material for their continued use. Since growers near me are over 50 miles away and when I was setting up I didn't have a truck, I had to pay to have 4 yards delivered. Now I have a truck, but still would have to travel too far and make about 3 trips, so still pays for me to order it delivered. Fortunately, the guy agreed to put 2 yards in front and 2 in the back. I have spread it everywhere, and it is making such a huge difference to all areas. In addition I amend soil with oak leaves and my own compost pile, which is full of earthworms. My tomatoes are growing and fruiting year round now, as well as onions, garlic and many others.
I cannot think of a better way to spend my time.
|
