interested in a good source or soil/cinder mix for starting veggies/lettuces and the like. i know some of the hamakua soils are stripped of their nutrients and whatnot, (like bryson's). any suggestions?
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Hawaii
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Re: good soil for veggies?
Sat, October 13, 2007 - 1:36 PMHey Jon:)
my opinion is
One has to BUiLD the soil, there are many ways to sidestep the process, Ie. taking good soils from a fertile forest edge along some rural road, or buying bags of imported materials, etc..
Therefore, in theory one is depleting an area to 'un'plete another by displacing pure finished soil. If one takes materials from their land or the surrounding area, materials like leaves, stix, food scraps, grass clippings, wood dust and chips, coconut fibers, etc, etc..and layers them into piles at their land , and depending on how much one interacts with this pile, one can have finished compost in 2 weeks, give or take. This effort will give that soil alot more mana to contribute to your veggies life and in route , yours.
One more thing , soil is different than compost. Soil is a medium while compost is a food or an amendment. Soil isnt that difficult to mix up and have ready to plant in, its the compost taht takes time and alchemical wisdom if u will.
Im mostly a perrenial veggie gardener, i jus stick parts in the ground and drop whatever compost i have on em from time to time and i keep palnts mulched, whether its living mulch or decaying mulch( rocks work too), amazingly (lucky i live Hawai'i) stuff grows almost effortlessly. I know people want the veggies they were raised with, thats cool. I find the subtropical climate being at times unexpectedly rough and dramatic, is more prone to support the root crops and other hardy plants that arent so temperamental.
Good topic, i like see what Sky has to say......:) -
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Re: good soil for veggies?
Sat, October 13, 2007 - 4:39 PMI read one half of your first sentence of your reply, Jeffrey.
You're spot on...
I've been and dug many places on these islands and not yet found soil which was already healthy as our cultivars need... so, you'll be working to build your soil, whereever you are...
Lookup 'paramagnetism'... here's a few links:
www.naturesalternatives.com/lc/l....html
www.malcolmbeck.com/books/gv...etism.htm
www.highbrixgardens.com/restor...on.html
... The Hamakua soil is a good positive ion (drawing/holding) soil, whilst the cinder's the opposite... do your best to create a good balance...
If I ever go somewhere and don't have to add trace minerals such as manganese and molybdenum, then you'll probably find me there. Typically you're going to need to test and analyze your soil, and add the missing elements... like on Sesame Street.
This is a service which I offer. But, if you're curious to see they semi-cryptic piece of paper/e-mail that tells you about all of your soil chemical levels, heres a link:
A&L Labs are the poeple who I have analyze my soils... The reference was passed on from my master, Sun. They've got great customer service.
www.al-labs.com/
Now, I've read the remainder of Jeffrey's reply...
Be aware that there's a huge difference between coconut husk and grass clippings; while coconut husks are in abundance, they're nearly all carbon and can be in the way while they take a long time to break down... grass clippings are a good balance of carbon/nitrogen; I find grass an ideal green-manure, as it percolates nitrogen into the soil, WHEN USED AMPLY (a thin layer will only dry up, evaporating all of the nitrogen). BEWARE: Since grass clippings are a good source of nitrogen (as much soft, green materials are), it can easily 'burn' (biodegrade) plants/trees by being placed against the stalks/trunks... be sure to give your plants a few inches of safe room from your 'hot' mulch/compost.
Lastly...
Even 'perrenial' food plants (i.e.: sissoo spinach, belle, malibar spinach...etc..) are 'cultivars', requiring attention, i.e.: fertilization, watering, pruning...etc.
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Re: good soil for veggies?
Mon, October 22, 2007 - 9:34 PMsky-
wanted to let you know how much i appreciate your wisdom...
thanks for the endless support...
jdub
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Re: good soil for veggies?
Mon, October 22, 2007 - 9:33 PMyo-
really appreciate your alls advice. been doing this for most of the last four years, and have much still to learn...
mostly played n kalapana with minimal soil and always mulched the bejesus out of everything! much love to the aina!
i was wondering about a spot on large cindersoil site that was fertile and sold their stuff...
i am experimenting with dump mulch piles that are breaking down over time...nice humus. crotolaria galore with that dump mulch. i have planted bananas in all mulch and they love it...
much love and thanx for your advice...
jon
ps check out biodynamics- -
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Re: good soil for veggies?
Mon, October 22, 2007 - 9:55 PM...done checked it out...
someone's got to develop the biodynamic system for Hawaii's herbs concoctions... t
the astrology's the same, though.
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