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San Diego

I live in san diego. I am having my soil tested for a new growing area. I would say my soil leans toward clay, but not a heavy clay soil at all, just mild. I will be addressing any nutrient deficiencies from my test and I will be adding a lot of manure and compost. Would it make any difference whether I add sand to my soil for growing a big pumpkin? I think it might help drainage, but not sure if it would make much difference. thanks, Jim

10/1/2002 4:25:03 PM

Bemidji, MN

Jim, watch out when adding sand to clay soils, it tends to turn it into hardpan. I added sand to my heavily laden clay soil here in minnesota and it turned it into the hardest soil you could find last year. I eventually took my tractor and took top 6" of soil off and then brought in new soil. On my other plots, to break up the clay I just added huge amounts of compost/manure/leaves and now it's great growing medium that rewarded me with a 963 pumpkin this year. Just something to think about. Steve

10/2/2002 11:11:11 AM