Hi Jen, I think we are near you around Concho and working on a similar task. After talking to
local farmers, some of the great ideas to help build organic matter and soil was to start with rye grass then grow other ground covers- millet, milo, wheat, red clover, ect. One great tip was to use wild bird
feed from the feed store in the large 35-50 lbs bags. And just keep layering growing season after growing season. They are growing fantastic organic asparagus and garlic using this method, as well as, beautiful flowers, potatoes, tomatoes,... We are also going use our
chickens and
rabbits, ala
Joel Salatin to help us along with this method to get our soil going. We have narrowed the areas we are working on, but its still a lot. There is someone in Showlow that sells pine needles by the
yard and delivers to help with mulching bare ground. As for buying soil for raised beds, Singh is in the Phoenix valley. I have gotten bad batches of soil from him and have heard the same from others. Since he takes landscaping waste from contractors around the Valley, sometimes he gets contaminated batches. Around here, I recommend Sweet Corn Nursery in Showlow. I got a recommendation for them from IAS Laboratories in Tempe, AZ that did a soil sample test for me and said they have tested their soil and it was good quality. They
sell a tote for $500. I forget how many yards are in the tote. I am pleased with the quality so far. No stund or dead plants. But they make
compost the standard way- mulch, organic matter, and other additives.
I was told that by bringing in clay to mix with the sand, i would be able to make better soil. But after having to deal with clay and caliche for years in the Phoenix valley, I am hesitant to truck in clay. I think it just needs organic matter and
water and some two legged or four legged animal friends. Good luck!