Volcanic, calcareous or peat

[Estro Felino]

This thread is for sharing tips and anecdotes about what concerns gardeners the most.
Soil.
Each plant is genetically predisposed to develop its own roots within a suitable soil...since root apparatus is really, really diverse.

These are my tips.

Volcanic soils, andisols: very acid soil, rich in iron. Perfect for the Citrus family. In fact on the volcano Etna, it is all orange trees.
It is perfect for most tropical plants, especially those from Mexico or Central America.

Calcareous soil: it is a soil poor in metals and rich in calcium. It is suitable for all the small plants and bushes of the Mediterranean area, especially Lamiaceae (peppermint, basil, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme), umbrelliferae (carrot, parsley, fennel), and Cruciferae (rocket salad, mustard).

Peat: it is the most universal soil ever....but not indicated for the plants who prefer the calcareous one (aforementioned).
It is so good that it is used in the percentage of 50% together with other soils.
Generally used for all apartment plants.

 

[Martin]

This thread is for sharing tips and anecdotes about what concerns gardeners the most.
Soil.
Each plant is genetically predisposed to develop its own roots within a suitable soil...since root apparatus is really, really diverse.

These are my tips.

Volcanic soils, andisols: very acid soil, rich in iron. Perfect for the Citrus family. In fact on the volcano Etna, it is all orange trees.
It is perfect for most tropical plants, especially those from Mexico or Central America.

Calcareous soil: it is a soil poor in metals and rich in calcium. It is suitable for all the small plants and bushes of the Mediterranean area, especially Lamiaceae (peppermint, basil, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme), Ombrelliferae (carrot, parsley, fennel), and Cruciferae (rocket salad, mustard).

Peat: it is the most universal soil ever....but not indicated for the plants who prefer the xalcareous one (aforementioned).
It is so good that it is used in the percentage of 50% together with other soils.
Generally used for all apartment plants.

Aren't they trying to cut down on peat extraction, due to global warming?

 

[ChristineM]

Aren't they trying to cut down on peat extraction, due to global warming?

In the UK, peat sales will be banned from 2024.

About time, as a kid i remember the news on the ecological damage done by digging up peat.

 

[Estro Felino]

Aren't they trying to cut down on peat extraction, due to global warming?

I am speaking of the soil used for plants, aka turf

Peat - Wikipedia

 

[RestlessSoul]

Two factors affecting vegetable growers in England this summer are not soil related; slugs and snails have devastated my courgettes, they never even got going. Same story with the runner beans (broad beans did well though). Constant rain and lack of sun put paid to all my tomatoes. Potatoes have proliferated though, the leeks are doing well, and no shortage of spinach, despite the slugs and snails. I have two strawberry patches which were surprisingly productive in June, despite only brief interludes of sunshine.

Beetroot doesn't mind the rain and damp, but this too has been hard to get going because the molluscs have had the leaves before the plants could become established.

 

[ChristineM]

Two factors affecting vegetable growers in England this summer are not soil related; slugs and snails have devastated my courgettes, they never even got going. Same story with the runner beans (broad beans did well though). Constant rain and lack of sun put paid to all my tomatoes. Potatoes have proliferated though, the leeks are doing well, and no shortage of spinach, despite the slugs and snails. I have two strawberry patches which were surprisingly productive in June, despite only brief interludes of sunshine.

Beetroot doesn't mind the rain and damp, but this too has been hard to get going because the molluscs have had the leaves before the plants could become established.

We only have a small courtyard so no space for decent cultivation. We have had success with pot grown tomatoes this year, today we picked our first for lunch. Lavender and rosemary grow among the decorative flowers, not many lavender flowers this year so my hope of making lavender ice cream is gone.
Other than that we have an apple tree in a big pot which is full of apples this year for the first time. A couple of grape vines, one doing well, the other no fruit at all, i blame the late frost in march/april. And our prize winning (really) strawberry tree. A length of 160mm drain pipe with holes drilled up it, filled with compost and young strawberry plants planted in the holes. We get enough strawberries for 5 peeps to enjoy at least once a week from May to October.

Talking of late frost's, i think this year french and german wine will not be so good and in short supply.

There were stories of wine growers buying up all heaters to have among their vines in an attempt to raise the temperature. Some resorted to hiring helicopters to hover over their land. The downdraft being warmer than the air at ground level.

 

[Estro Felino]

Two factors affecting vegetable growers in England this summer are not soil related; slugs and snails have devastated my courgettes, they never even got going. Same story with the runner beans (broad beans did well though). Constant rain and lack of sun put paid to all my tomatoes. Potatoes have proliferated though, the leeks are doing well, and no shortage of spinach, despite the slugs and snails. I have two strawberry patches which were surprisingly productive in June, despite only brief interludes of sunshine.

Beetroot doesn't mind the rain and damp, but this too has been hard to get going because the molluscs have had the leaves before the plants could become established.

I see. Here in Southern Italy the population of slugs and snails is really uner control because of the heat in Summer, mainly.
But the con is that in Summer you cannot grow many plants...

 

[Estro Felino]

Any tip from the best gardener ever...?


@Revoltingest

 

[Revoltingest]

Any tip from the best gardener ever...?


@Revoltingest

I have a black thumb.
I don't know what I'm doing, & I kill many of the things I plant.
I'm a gardener the way Mr Magoo is a pedestrian.

 

[shunyadragon]

This thread is for sharing tips and anecdotes about what concerns gardeners the most.
Soil.
Each plant is genetically predisposed to develop its own roots within a suitable soil...since root apparatus is really, really diverse.

These are my tips.

Volcanic soils, andisols: very acid soil, rich in iron. Perfect for the Citrus family. In fact on the volcano Etna, it is all orange trees.
It is perfect for most tropical plants, especially those from Mexico or Central America.

Calcareous soil: it is a soil poor in metals and rich in calcium. It is suitable for all the small plants and bushes of the Mediterranean area, especially Lamiaceae (peppermint, basil, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme), umbrelliferae (carrot, parsley, fennel), and Cruciferae (rocket salad, mustard).

Peat: it is the most universal soil ever....but not indicated for the plants who prefer the calcareous one (aforementioned).
It is so good that it is used in the percentage of 50% together with other soils.
Generally used for all apartment plants.

One of the dominate soil types in the world is loess, a silty wind blown soil dominant in the Midwest of the USA. I call it the universal soil in terms of desirable agricultural soil texture and fertility properties.

 

[Estro Felino]

One of the dominate soil types in the world is loess, a silty wind blown soil dominant in the Midwest of the USA. I call it the universal soil in terms of desirable agricultural soil texture and fertility properties.

It is a very rich soil.
It is very light.
The opposite of calcareous soil that we have here, which is pretty heavy and solid soil, because it derives from white limestone.

 

[RestlessSoul]

One of the dominate soil types in the world is loess, a silty wind blown soil dominant in the Midwest of the USA. I call it the universal soil in terms of desirable agricultural soil texture and fertility properties.

Is that the same soil that turned to dust due to wind erosion in the 1930s, causing mass migration to the West Coast?

 

[shunyadragon]

Is that the same soil that turned to dust due to wind erosion in the 1930s, causing mass migration to the West Coast?

Yes, in much of the Midwest, but it is a big region and other different soils in the Western prairie. These soils are also very fertile, but now eroded to a certain extent.

 

[RestlessSoul]

It is a very rich soil.
It is very light.
The opposite of calcareous soil that we have here, which is pretty heavy and solid soil, because it derives from white limestone.

View attachment 53350

That is a stunning view, but I wouldn’t want to climb up there on foot every day. Are those buildings inhabited? A monastery perhaps?

 

[Estro Felino]

That is a stunning view, but I wouldn’t want to climb up there on foot every day. Are those buildings inhabited? A monastery perhaps?

I climbed that hill so many times.
Inside that ravine there is a beautiful river...where you can bathe


Riserva naturale orientata Cavagrande del Cassibile - Wikipedia

 

[Estro Felino]

Btw...this is calcareous soil and its landscape

 

[Estro Felino]

Soils used in combination with humus or peat.

Clay: clay can be rich in minerals but poor in organic elements that are essentials for plants to grow. Very useful for vegetables which need l9ts of water to grow such as onions.

Loam: generally used in combination with other soils. Perfect for tropical /apartment plants

River Sand:
Perfect for aquatic plants. Used with peat...generally.