soil compaction

[JPat]

I live in the Bulverde are just North of San Antonio in the hill country.
I have a problem wih compacting soil in my yard. I have been in this house for 3 years and there was zoyzia planted in the yard when I moved in. I don't know how long it had been there, but since I arrived it has been gradually taken over by the surrounding native grasses and weeds. The ground is easily compacted even in low traffic areas. I have applied a thin layer of compost twice (last spring and this spring) and have used Medina soil activator twice.
I am considering areation, increased frequency of Medina and/or a re-application of compost.
I am open to the suggestions of those wiser than I!

[Kathe Kitchens]

You may just have such a low biological content that it's going to be difficult to get it going. You may need to use compost tea or some other soil innoculant (microbes suspended in a solution) to reintroduce a healthy colony. I'd also add a good application of molasses to give them a kick start, but Medina Soil Activator is pretty good at that. I use liquid molasses once a month Feb/Mar through June or so and it seems to really get things going. That sugar feeds the microbes and gets them active and reproducing very quickly!

Let me also suggest adding cornmeal to your soil amendments list, as well as green sand and lava sand. Topical application is fine. The cornmeal should get the fungal growth kicked into gear, with all the lovely little filaments that pull soil into little particles.

Also monitor your watering or lack thereof. What I'm saying here is that it sounds like you have a good start, you just need to kick it up a notch or two! It will take time to get the soil back in shape but these additions ought to cut down the wait a bit.

Hope that helps!
:D
Kathe

[Dchall_San_Antonio]

I agree with Kathe. What have your watering and mowing practices been for the past 3 years?

[tommyr]

Don't know what the board feels about gypsum but that is what I used to help loosen my soil. Takes a little while but seems to help. Along with compost, lava sand, greensand and cornmeal. If you do use this, be careful about the pH as the one I used was 17% sulphur and if you use the greensand with it, it will make the soil more acid. Should not add it if the pH is 5.8 or lower.

[Mr. Clean]

JPat, I can recommend without hesitation that you proceed with a core aeration treatment. It has been my experience that you will get very quick visible results from this.

As far as the Medina products, I've used too many gallons of Medina and Medina Plus with no noticeable benefits. These products are, IMO, the organic version of snake oil, and priced accordingly. Two thumbs down.