Tried Something New This Year in the Garden

John B. · May 10, 2012

I used my 8" post hole digger and dug 9 holes. Some were 4' deep and a couple were only 6" deep. I then sprinkled a little fertilizer in each hole as I refilled them with the dirt I dug out. I'm experimenting! I started all my plants indoors. I put tomato, pepper and canoloupes in the holes and watered them. Some of the deeper holes settled down about 5". The plants never wilted and the wind don't hit them down there. I heard these holes will hold water longer and the roots can penetrate the loose soil better. We'll see what happens. I'll post pictures soon.

ron nca · May 10, 2012

I did that last year but took my 12in an went down 2 ft. I put in steer manure 5-10-10 compost an bone meal. best crop of maters i ever had they were over 7 ft tall.

SweetFeet · May 11, 2012

Hey, that sounds like a good idea! I always build a little earthen dam around mine to hold some water... but "counter-sinking" the plants sounds like an idea that is even better yet.

Anonymous-0 · May 11, 2012

Did that between the fruit trees,about 12 inches deep, spread the extracted dirt and filled holes with compost. Had a good crop of zucchini and cucumber.

Greg1959 · May 11, 2012

Thought I'd try your idea. It sounds like a good suggestion. Goin' to plant in the morning, so I just completed digging 84 holes with my 10" auger and mixed in composted horse manure with the dirt.
Thanks for the tip!

RN · May 11, 2012

The hole digging and compost idea has been done many years in desert country around Texas and Arizona Caliche/clay/alkali grounds- Rodale press article from late 1970s had the technique using post diggers or deep shoveling, also a 'Waffle Pattern' plant bed where 'Waffle' walls acted as wind breaks for new plant in composted bottom as well as water retention wall. Posthole about 2 foot down with dirt berms around it left, then compost or mix to 18 inchs in hole for transplant, water and check back every other day- the extra 6 inchs ground and maybe 4 inchs sloped dirt berm provide shelter and direct light rains to plant- tomatoes planted early especially like it, dirt can be pushed back in hole when tomatoes over foot high, cover stem will developed more roots to feed harden tomato. Planting in Listered gulleys similar idea- water retention and shelter when Lister runs cross ways to prevailing wind. Holes planting for garden saves limited compost/manure to directly around plant. RN.

John B. · May 14, 2012

I'm anxious to see how the plants do. They stay moist a lot longer than the plants that weren't planted in a hole.

Tried Something New This Year in the Garden

John B.

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ron nca

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SweetFeet

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Anonymous-0

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Greg1959

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RN

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John B.

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