Fort Leonard Wood Soil Delivery

Is our silt loam good soil to garden in?

It has real strengths. Silt loam holds water and nutrients better than sand and drains better than heavy clay, so the base texture is favorable. The problems here are compaction and shallow depth over rock. Work 2 to 3 inches of compost into the top 8 inches, avoid walking on beds when wet, and you will get excellent results from Pulaski County soil.

When can I start working soil in the spring?

Wait until the soil crumbles instead of ribboning when you squeeze a handful, which around Fort Leonard Wood usually means late March to early April. Tilling silt loam while it is still saturated from winter destroys the structure and creates clods that stay hard all season. With a last frost near April 15, there is no advantage to rushing beds two weeks early anyway.

Do I need to test my soil pH here?

It is worth doing. Ozark soils sitting over limestone can trend neutral to slightly alkaline in some spots, while wooded areas with heavy leaf litter often run acidic. The University of Missouri Extension office in Pulaski County will run an inexpensive test. Blueberries and azaleas in particular will tell you quickly if the pH is not where they want it.

How deep should I fill a raised bed?

Twelve inches of quality garden mix is plenty for most vegetables and is a smart move here where native soil depth over bedrock can be limited. A 4 by 8 foot bed filled 12 inches deep takes about 1.2 cubic yards. Raised beds also warm faster in early April and drain better through our wet spring, which extends your usable season on both ends.

Will topsoil fix the drainage problems in my low spots?

Only if you also fix the grade. Silt loam holds water, so simply adding more soil to a low area can create a wetter spot rather than a drier one. Build up the low area with a consistent slope of at least a quarter inch per foot running away from the house, and consider tying downspouts into a drain line first. With 46 inches of rain a year, standing water becomes a recurring problem rather than a one time nuisance.

Can I put soil down in the fall instead of spring?

Yes, and fall is often better. Late September through early October gives you warm soil, cooler air, and reliable moisture, which is ideal for establishing fescue lawns before the October 20 first frost. Fall grading also lets winter freeze and thaw cycles naturally loosen the soil so it settles into a workable seedbed by spring.