Any NC gardeners out there?

[Jeffershome]

Hi,

Fairly new here, but interested in swapping plants, seeds, ideas, tips and experiences on gardening in NC climate and soils. I have red clay here in Charlotte, but I grew up in Eastern NC, so I know that soil also. (for those of you who haven't lived here, the two soils are dramatically different!) - and gardening in the NC Mountains is another climate/soil altogether!
This year, I am simply replacing all of the garden soil for each tomato plant in my garden. I am at my wits end with trying to "amend" this clay!

Thanks for the forum space,

Elizabeth

[zuzu's petals]

Welcome Elizabeth , from the southeast corner of N.C.,
where I also have to replace the natural "soil" ( 100% sand) with real soil.

[PlantSwap]

Hi Elizabeth, welcome to the forum.

[lcosden]

Welcome to the forum Elizabeth..

[cheezyrat]

Hi there. I am a NC gardener also. Statesville, NC. Not too far from Charlotte. To add to you point about soil here. You can find several soil types in the same County here as well. I am in Western Iredell County with HARD packed clay and quartz rock. I go to my parents house in Northern Iredell to get light sandy clay mix soil to add with my own as an amendment. The odd thing you get with the combo is a very slow draining mix that retains moisture well. You never know where an old farm has been either and now and then I run into spots here on the property that have rich composted soil where there were obviously cattle or a compost pile or garden there before. FUN FUN FUN! Welcome to the forum. There are a few others in here from local as well. Happy Gardening! Spring is just around the corner!

[bgchavis]

I am in NC. Not too close to your area. I am closer to the coast, just south of where I-95 and I-74 cross.

I just posted an offer to share here, under the "Regional" and "everywhere else" forum.

I see there are 2 of you up near your area. You are welcome to come here, if you are down this way. I am not just doing this on one day only, but leaving it open, so people can come when it is convienent for them, and I can arrange to be here. I am usually home on weekends, and several days thru the week also.

I am also open to sending seeds thru the mail, but would prefer to just let people come take what they want of each plant, and I can also share seeds here too.
Brenda

[CoachG]

Welcome Elizabeth! Iredell Co. gardener here. I'm dealing with that same awful clay soil. We've just moved into a new house and they scraped off most all of the top soil to backfill around the house. So my soil is dreadful!! One thing I've done to help is to start a compost pile. If I need to ammend the soil in just small areas, like adding a new flower bed, I add my own home-grown compost and it works like a dream. I got a huge headstart on the compost pile by picking up a couple of truck loads of FREE compost from the city of Troutman, NC. I used what I needed from those loads of free compost, and then used what was left to start my own pile.

Welcome to this forum - I'm very new at this myself but have thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Jeffershome]

Hi, thanks for replying. I'm using compost also, but I really just started. I finally had to accept that synthetic fertilizers and store bought compost used as an amendment were not going to do the job. It seems like they would, but alas, no. I am currently completely replacing the soil before I plant something. I just planted a few new shrubs, and I dug out a foot by a foot, and completely replaced the "soil" (if you can call it that) with compost that I bought from Mecklenburg county. How did you get free compost? I am also making quite a bit of homemade, but it is not quite finished. It will be just right for tomatoes! Have a good one! It is such a gorgeous day!

[CoachG]

We got our free compost (they actually called it mulch, though) from the city of Troutman, NC. But I think there are other cities who do this as well. You could probably call any city maintenance department and see if this is something they offer. It's mostly shredded leaves that have been left to decompose. We took a pickup truck and they loaded it for us with a big front end loader. We used up most of 2 loads and then just started our own pile with what was left.

[wettoes]

New to NC.

I am learning the hard way about the differences in NewEngland gardening and the wetlands of southeastern coastal NC.

We are on the edge of wetlands with pine forests - not sure if this is officially a poccosin, a savannah or a basic swamp! But the wetness of some areas of our property is a definite challenge.

Any ideas for plantings? In one area, we have given up and gone to large pots for planting things "higher up" in this full sun area but I would still like to explore more relative to growing things that can handle having wet toes without looking like a roadside marsh.

[Pushin-up-Daisies]

Hello Elizabeth and welcome. I'm in North Ga. at N.Carolina line, I know, I have heavy clay soil & like u I dig out & refill with good soil. I have better luck doing that. My plants are doing great. [Automated by GetSmile]

[Jeffershome]

This clay is AWFUL!! I didn't grow up with it, so I have had to come up a steep learning curve! In my experience, plants planted directly in this native clay soil start to grow a little, and then just stop. They catch diseases easily, and are generally a disappointment. There are a few exceptions, but not many. I bought a dump truck full of compost this year, and have been digging out a deep hole for each plant that I set out. Then I refill with straight compost.

[Jeffershome]

Thanks Daisies! Any advice is always welcome!

[andapanda007]

Im in tacoma wa. we have to deal with all the rain but are ground is good to grow things in.I have some seeds they are pretty cool and some plants to trade.and some berry bushes like neter berry ever bareing rassberry and cranberry bush navahoe thornless blackberry and some other kinds hope to do some tradeing with you

[SouthernGrl]

Hey there! I'm in Monroe, NC. And I have red clay as well, and some "normal" soil too. I have not had problems so far planting in it, but I always add potting soil to everything I plant. Good luck and happy planting!