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New Bed Preparation Recommendations

January 11, 2002

By Howard Garrett

There are several products besides toxic pesticides and fertilizers I no longer recommend. First a quick review of them and then a short review of the basic staple products of The Natural Way.

Peat moss – The most famous of my “do not use” products, an expensive form of organic matter that has no built in biological activity. In fact, it is anti-microbial. Good to ship fish in but not so good for the soil. Peat moss is more consistent but compost is much better in every other way.

Pine Bark - Unfortunately the most commonly used form of organic matter. As a topdressing mulch it won’t stay in place because it washes and blows away. As a soil amendment it breaks down into a mucky material. Most forms of organic matter are better. Shredded native tree trimmings make the best mulch and compost makes the best organic matter soil amendment.

Washed Concrete Sand – Yes, I used to recommend this stuff. Got smarter. It’s dead, has no energy or exchange capacity and when mixed with black soil can form a concrete-like structure. The only sands I recommend are used for their energy, water holding capacity and trace minerals.

On the other hand, these are the amendments that I do recommend.

Native Soil – no matter how bad yours is, leave it and improve it. Digging out the native soil and replacing it with “improved” soils can form a pot in the ground that doesn’t drain well.

Compost - The best of all forms of organic matter. Compost can be made at home and is commercially available from several competent sources. It is alive, loaded with nutrients, inexpensive and recycles local and regional natural resources that would otherwise end up in the landfills.

Volcanic sand – As opposed to concrete sand, volcanic sand has many benefits. It helps to preserve moisture in the soil, increases the energy in the soil and in plants and helps make nutrients more available to plants. It mixes well with compost and native soil to produce a very productive planting medium. It’s not used in thick layers, only 80-100 lbs. per 1,000 square feet.

Cornmeal – A natural soil amendment that is used to stimulate beneficial soil biology to control fungal diseases. I once recommended it only for natural disease control but now has become a staple bed preparation ingredient to stimulate biological activity and plant growth. Use as 20 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.

Zeolite – This is a fascinating volcanic material used to hold certain elements and release them to plants with perfect efficiency. It has detoxifying properties as well as its famous deodorizing abilities. Use at 50-100 lbs. per 1,000 square feet.

Texas greensand – A marine deposit that is loaded with organic matter and trace minerals. It contains 14-20% iron and is the only iron supplement I recommend. As opposed to the popular commercial iron supplements it is non-toxic and works beautifully. Use at 40-80 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.

Natural fertilizer – Many choices here. Just avoid the 3-2-1, 4-1-2 ratio synthetic products that are recommended by the less than organic crowd. Use at 20 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.

Shredded mulch – Shredded trees and shrubs from your own property is the best mulch of all. That’s what Mother Nature uses in the wild. The best mulch to purchase is shredded native juniper, eastern red cedar or mountain cedar.

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