Hello, I have signed up to learn more about organics. My husband and I have purchased a small parcel of land in Johnson County and want to grow organically. The land appears to be sandy on the surface, we have not had it tested. The property was covered in green sticker vine and small sumac shrubs. We have brush hogged 4 acres and are in the process of clearing under trees and fence row. We know nothing about organics (city people with farm roots). What is the first steps you would give us on improving the soil.

I would spread dry molasses. This will stimulate microbes in the soil. Kent

Kent-
Assuming you are able to spread molasses under most of the trees in a few acres of land, what would you say the am't of molasses per acre should be? If you pull a spreader w/old tractor, I'm assuming you'll know how to 'set' a spreader?? (I know what happens when you 'assume')
Patty

Patty,
I had to look this up. Howard says: "You see results on large acreage with application rates as low as 50 lbs. per acre. If the budget allows, it’s better to use more – 400 lbs. per acre or 10 lbs. per 1,000 square feet."

I wish I had a tractor. Maybe someday.

Kent

Kentobrew-
We bought a '52 Ford 'red belly' from our neighbor who wanted to upgrade to a bigger JD, not too expensive & got the bush hog too. Hard to make me get off it when I'm mowing-wow is that fun! (how long will that last?)
Patty

Kent-
I forgot-thanks so much for the molasses info!
Patty

Thanks for the information. Now, where do I find dry molasses? The info I found on the internet referred me to Home Depot; but I found none.

Most feed stores carry it. It's sold as a livestock product. You could also buy liquid molasses and spray it on your soil. These are 2 different products. Dry molasses is not really true molasses. Liquid molasses is the real thing, but the results are the same. Kent