Ok, landscapers, gardeners, ...anyone with ideas?

I've been walking over the spot where we're going to move our trailer onto, and I already knew that there is a LOT of work to be done before I can do much planting (if nothing else, the fact that it's been scraped off smooth twice in the past 30 years, not sure why). I have a lot of brush cleaning, trash removing and soil amending to do...this I know how to do. But just past where the driveway is going to be, will be across the drive from the trailer, in a area, oh, about 30 or so square feet, there is a layer of coal on top of the ground. Does anyone have any ideas how to remove it w/o picking up every darn peice of it... or can I till it in with my soil amendments without hurting my plants? Thanks!

Well, I know you can use ash as an amendment, but coal, I'm not sure. Another thing that is EXCELLENT fertilizer for your plants is coffee grounds, banana peels and eggshells. Mix all of those in a blender and you will have the best natural fertilizer I've seen!

I'm not sure if its good for plants or not

If you don't want to pick each piece by hand you could rake or ho the majority of it off the top- hope that helps

Coal??? Nothing is going to grow with that on the ground. I don't even know if a landfill would take it. It may not be the cheapest option but I would look around for a contractor with a skidsteer and scrape it off with a good 6 inches of soil underneath. And haul it away. You might want to go on aces.edu website and contact your local office for ideas as well.

Thanks WD and chichis mom! I appreciate the ideas and the recipe for fertilizer!

Originally Posted by GailC

Coal??? Nothing is going to grow with that on the ground. I don't even know if a landfill would take it. It may not be the cheapest option but I would look around for a contractor with a skidsteer and scrape it off with a good 6 inches of soil underneath. And haul it away. You might want to go on aces.edu website and contact your local office for ideas as well.

Click to expand...

Gail, why was I afraid that you were going to tell me this? Just the way my life runs, methinks! I have a half a mind since its next to the driveway/parking area to fill it in with pretty pavers and put a decent sized container garden (multiple planters of assorted sizes and designs) on it... maybe a small bench and stuff. Thanks so much!

Originally Posted by KittenKrazy

I have a half a mind since its next to the driveway/parking area to fill it in with pretty pavers and put a decent sized container garden (multiple planters of assorted sizes and designs) on it... maybe a small bench and stuff. Thanks so much!

Click to expand...

Actually I really like that idea! When my SIL and BIL bought their house the previous owners had torn down an above ground pool. Because they live in a hilly area it was somewhat in the ground on one side. So it left an odd, flat area. Not sure if the retaining wall was there before or after they moved in, but on the bottom they put down some cool pavers and rocks and put a nice patio set there. It was really nice! We had a good view of the kids playing and some shade too and a breeze too since we weren't right up against the house.

Your ideas should work but I would use a compactor-you can even buy a small one-its looks like a black heavy square attached to a pole to flatten the ground so its level and probably smash the coal as a base in the process. There are compactor machines to rent too. Voila instant base for the pavers and a new patio!

Originally Posted by GailC

Your ideas should work but I would use a compactor-you can even buy a small one-its looks like a black heavy square attached to a pole to flatten the ground so its level and probably smash the coal as a base in the process. There are compactor machines to rent too. Voila instant base for the pavers and a new patio!

Click to expand...

Oooooh... I like!!!! Thanks, Gail!

You are welcome. Feel free to pick my brain anytime!

Originally Posted by GailC

You are welcome. Feel free to pick my brain anytime!

Click to expand...

Oh, lord... don't tempt me! I've got so many ideas going through my mind these days that it keeps me awake at night! But nothing, nothing, nothing, can be done until I get my trailer up here and set up so I can get a better feel for the lay of the yard and such.......arrrrrrrrgh!
(but that's a whole 'nother thread, lol!)