John vk

J yes I have been making bio char in a 30 gal barrel inside a 55 and just throwing it in the chicken run. I have a lot of trees I pulled in a pile that plan on burning when snow is on the ground a pulling out logs before they are completely burnt , this is in the future orchard area. it really really feels like I'm pissing up a rope with this sand.

Nathanael I have thought about clay I'm not sure where to get it and have heard and am aware that the recipe for concrete is clay and sand. Have you been doing this for a while? does it not turn to concrete?



sorry for delayed response everyone. my computer was down for a few days

If you guys are interested in what I'm doing please give my fb farm page a like. I try to keep it updated with progress.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094100740256

Thanks for the video Tim. I have watched a bunch of his stuff but not this one. My sand is a little different but same concepts apply. I am collecting as much organic material as I can. Wood chips are not usually free in my neck of the woods. Blueberry farmers get them all so I usually have to pay to get someone to come here. I have a couple landscape companies dropping off fall leaves and I drive around getting people's bags off the side of the road. This summer I met a lady who has horses and like to keep the manure cleaned up so I get it all for free,just have to transport. The chips I get are mixed,when it rains I get mushrooms everywhere which I'm sure is a good sign.

Andy, which town by lake MI to you reside? I'm in West Olive. I plan on investing in drip irrigation next spring,I think overhead watering is contributing to several issues. I'm having trouble finding honey locust and other n fixing trees suggest by Stefan the permaculture orchardist so I bought seeds and tree starter pots I also plan on getting going in spring. I also got problem weeds from the farmer's cold compost(bindweed, and some crazy grass). All incoming matter is going in giant hot piles now that I stir every wed and sun with skid steer. I have been keeping it at about 140f.


Thank you for the reply Anne. I will check out the link.

I would like to start a discussion about turning sand to a good growing environment. I purchased 5 acres a couple years ago and have been working on an orchard and vegetable garden. I have searched the internet about the subject and can't find much about my situation. I've found a lot about sandy soil but most of what I'm working with is not soil at all, just sand like at the beach. So far for my veggie area I have brought in large amounts of aged (cold)compost from a near by farmer and just put an average of 18" over the sand where I want to grow. It's working but has some issues. I grow cover crops in the off season, I'm in zone 6b. For the orchard I have drill 3' foot diameter holes with skid steer auger about 3' deep and amended with chicken run cleanings. I constantly throw kitchen scraps and fall leaves in run and clean out about twice a year or when planting trees. One of the big problems is keeping anything moist, the sand just sucks up any moisture. I have installed a couple irrigation wells on property to help. lots of work! anyway here's the start of the discussion, I look forward to input from others and sharing my experiences that have worked and failed. Thank you and happy gardening!

good thoughts! makes sense...maybe I'll try a couple and let you know

thanks for your response and sharing your experience. I will check out the video. I have a bit of extra room indoor this winter. thats why I considered it. thought maybe I could get a jump start on the tree size

reopening an old thread here. I recently purchased some honey locust seeds and would like to get them going. Wondering if I should wait until spring or if it would be ok to plant now and keep them in the house under grow lights over the winter? any experience would be  appreciated. thanks