Abandoned farm lands

[Applesauce]

How would you choose to work abandoned farm land? A location I found had open farms on it 30+ years ago. Right now the trees are only 30 feet tall or so. The location looks excellent. I can still see irrigation pipes going into the ground (i wont be using these). One thing I've noticed is part of the farm land seems to stay partially flooded on the top soil in parts. I would imagine a water source was diverted to this area years ago. Mainly, my question being, after so long, could this soil still be considered "good"? I am going to be bringing in my own pro-mix, but it got me thinking.

 

[slider420]

I would go with Grow bags 1st maybe... until you know how much good soil is present ???

 

[paulo73]

What kind of vegetation did you find growing in place?
I would go half growbags/good soil mix and half straight on the ground.
That way you will have a clearer view about the soil needs&possibilities as long as the needs the plants at that location.
ATB

 

[dalonghorn]

Go growbags if you want to get caught in a guerilla grow...

I say mix your promix half and half with the native soil to get the benefits of the microcolonies. Dig a big hole then take half the dirt out and mix the remaining half with your promix to get the structure you want. It has to be better than the rock hard soil im working with.

 

[Ajunta Pall]

The only person able to determine your soil's productiveness shall we say is you, Apple. Go to the store and buy a soil test kit and test various sites around this farm land. Chances are that the soil should be good enough to support some plants, if its been fallow for awhile you prolly can put your plants directly in the soil. You should test it to see where you stand you may not have to haul a lot in if your soil is decent.

 

[Applesauce]

Yes, grow bags and containers is just not an option. Going to go with the 50/50 native pro mix approach and see what happens. Lots of small ground cover growing as parts of it are partially flooded year round from a water source. LOTS OF SKUNK CABBAGE.

 

[Leroy Brown]

Sounds to wooded & marshy to me, but I'm not standing there, nor was I standing there last august. But around here 20' trees & skunk cabbage would be a worthless waste of time.

 

[Leroy Brown]

Can you get any pics? Include one of the sky while laying on your back & looking south.

 

[supermanlives]

make mounds if its that soggy . skunk cabbage is a sign its really soggy

 

[GAME]

I'm currently growing on a piece of land quite similar to yours. While I do agree, that only you can judge the land, I must say that if it was in fact farmland years ago..... then chances are it has good soil. As for you wondering if it's any good any more because of it's age, well, the soil only improves over time. Being that when it was farmed, it was likely leached of nutrients and after time the soil will revert back to where it needs to be. Now you can't grow in it if there's any standing water, try to find an upraised area of some sort on there and dig a little. When you get a handful of earth form a ball with it. Then poke it with your finger, if it crumbles then you know that the soil structure is at least pretty decent. If it won't break with a poke, it's likely clay. If you can't even form a ball, it's likely sandy or rocky. Good luck friend

 

[Applesauce]

Leroy, the trees and growth are all fairly small due to only a decade or two of growth after it wasn't used anymore. This farmland is surrounded by heavy Forrest. They aren't dense packed and in some places there are just sprout-lings where trees haven't managed to get to yet. Not all of it is soggy, there is a diverted stream that appears man made. It runs through the center and veins out into the farmland. I imagine this was used as a water source back in the day. There ARE areas directly near this water area that are too soggy, but I'd say 80% of the land is do-able still. Besides skunk cabbage, there are a shit ton of berry and thorn bushes overtaking major parts of this area.

 

[Ripshot]

i grow in those types of areas. you just need to find the dry spots... although sunlight is key. if its got the light its worth putting the effort into it. berry and thorn bushes mean security as well.

 

[187020]

abandoned vineyards...

abandoned vineyards...

100% native soil and no nutes !!

 

[Applesauce]

Awesome...

 

[Claude Hopper]

I'm currently growing on a piece of land quite similar to yours. While I do agree, that only you can judge the land, I must say that if it was in fact farmland years ago..... then chances are it has good soil. As for you wondering if it's any good any more because of it's age, well, the soil only improves over time. Being that when it was farmed, it was likely leached of nutrients and after time the soil will revert back to where it needs to be. Now you can't grow in it if there's any standing water, try to find an upraised area of some sort on there and dig a little. When you get a handful of earth form a ball with it. Then poke it with your finger, if it crumbles then you know that the soil structure is at least pretty decent. If it won't break with a poke, it's likely clay. If you can't even form a ball, it's likely sandy or rocky. Good luck friend

Plus rep!

If the OP would post a picture of the weeds that would be a big help.

Weeds will tell the story.

 

[Afghanada]

Damn Crav that ole gal looks good!

 

[fishheadbob]

Nice looking plants.
Berries and thorns are probably an indication that the ph is pretty low; ordinarily no huge deal for mj. The soil wasn't great 30 years ago or some farmer would still be working it ? but a good fallow period can often help it restore itself some. Take a shovel for a walk and dig a few holes in the drier areas, see what it looks like. Come back in a few days and look in the holes you dug; see what's going on in the holes and in the soil you dug up.
Mj is a pretty hardy plant , probably where the name weed came from, but the better the soil you're growing in, the more likely you're going to get better results.