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Originally Posted by ekillians
I have considerable land in Lancaster PA, USA (zone 6a/6b) - the ground is very fertile (perhaps some of the best on the East coast) but per the forums I believe adding some perlite and compost would be beneficial for air and nutrients respectively, though I'm sure they would grow just fine without.
P.S. Anyone in the Lancaster or PA area with experience in field and bed growing please note that in your post of PM me. Thanks!
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ekillans, I'm in Glen Rock and do in ground development of trees for bonsai cultivation. So where about 30 minutes apart and our conditions are the same.
I can tell you for fact and from first hand experience that the soil conditions in our area are
not the most fertile. In fact the clay and rocky soil are about as far from fertile as you can get. Yet if the ground is prepared properly the clay and rock can be come an ally in the structural development of nebari.
I have plowed, tilled and amended the soil in order to pursue growing trees. You will find that you need to put as much organic material in the soil as you possibly can. I am fortunate to have horses and their by product has been very beneficial. I also include hay, composted leaves, even animal carcasses after hunting season. Amending the soil in our area is a must, or you will be spinning your wheels and will get very discouraged in short order.
Field growing in our area is a bit of a trick for trees destine to be bonsai, if your planning on doing it on a largish scale. There are several different ways to achieve the results that you are looking for. I would suggest you do some reading and do some studying on the agricultural requirements and what grows well here for our area.
Feel free to PM if you like to stop by and see what I am talking about first hand.