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To grow plants well you have to prepare the soil properly. CLAY SOILS A 'clayey soil' is sticky and wet to the touch. When it dries out, it becomes hard and difficult to work. Clay particles are extremely small. Alone, it makes a poor soil. It compacts easily, preventing air and water to freely circulate. Root penetration is limited and plant growth is stunted. Clay soils can become good soils if the proper ingredients are mixed in. We have found the following formula to be successful: Per 100 sq ft, dig in and mix to a depth of one foot: 2 bales of peatmoss (3.8 cu.ft. each) or (one yard of leaf mold for all but vegetables); 150 lbs of peat-humus; 120 lbs of dried cow manure; 3 ,cu ft of perlite; 5 lbs of lime, 5 lbs dry formula 'Roots', and 10 lbs of bonemeal. For smaller areas, cut this formula in half with the exception of lime and bonemeal which would remain constant. Most Westchester soils are 'clayey', but rarely do we find pure clay and thus this formula can be adjusted to your condition. SANDY SOILS Pure sandy soils are a rarity in Westchester. Sand particles are large and such a soil does not have moisture- or nutrient-retentive abilities. Oddly enough, the same above formula, with the exclusion of perlite, will rectify this condition. PERENNIALS, ANNUALS AND VEGETABLES The soil of a perennial, annual or vegetable garden should be dug to a depth of at least 1' while mixing the proper ingredients into it. Many people look at their soil and say it is poor. They try to condition it by buying topsoil. We do not recommend this. As poor as your soil may be, you have one of the basic ingredients. If you know which ingredients are lacking, you can add them. You will end up with a much better soil than you could have purchased.
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