Make your own compost as a cheap soil additive.
Soil additives primarily include compost, peat moss, lime and sulfur. Compost increases the overall health of any soil; peat moss conditions soil so it can absorb water and air better; and lime increases pH while sulfur decreases it. Perform a soil test---available from your local garden center or extension office---to determine what additives your soil needs. Most vegetables prefer a pH between 6.5 and 7.0.
Instructions
1. Till the garden area with a spade or rototiller to a depth of 6 to 8 inches before adding amendments.
2. Shovel equal parts peat moss and compost---or just compost---onto the garden. All soil types benefit from compost and peat moss. Peat moss does not replace compost, but since compost is such a beneficial additive, it's worth adding on its own. Add a layer of 3 to 4 inches of either the mixture or just compost. Apply these additives in the spring when you prepare the garden for planting.
3. Apply lime if the pH is too low. Apply it to dry soil in fall to allow plenty of time for the amendment to work before spring planting. The soil test and lime product package instructions will tell you how much lime to apply. A general guideline is to use---for every 100 square feet---4 lbs. of lime for sandy soil, 6 lbs. for loam soil and 8 lbs. for clay soil. Apply lime every two years or three years for clay soil.
4. Apply 100 percent finely ground sulfur if the pH is too high. Again, how much sulfur you use will depend on the soil type and pH. Generally, for every 100 square feet use 4 lbs. for sandy soil, 6 lbs. for loam soil and 7 lbs. for clay soil.
5. Till in all additives, working to a depth of 6 to 8 inches to mix the soil and additives properly together.
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