I live on 10+ mostly acres in southern MD,, we have had a flock of 15-20 chickens for the last 15 years, and harvest multiple deer off the property.
My soil is clay. When I built the house I added 2-3" of top soil to the ~3/4 acre we cleared. Never able to really get grass to grow. 10 years ago I planted 3 apple trees out front. dug 3 holes on the slope, 5-6' round, 3' deep and back filled with top soil and aged horse manure, then planted 3 semi dwarf apple trees, the voles ate the roots and the trees fell over. I replanted with wire cages buried around them,, they did not die, but never really grew. 10 years later 1 have harvested 1 golf ball sized apple.
This year I decided I would try berries and grapes. I bought Black berry, Raspberry, blue berry and grape whips from Lowes/Home Depot. I dug 8" round x 10" deep holes and filled with top soil and aged compost (black soil) from the chicken run and planted the whips.
The grapes died within 3 days, the leaves wilted and the "stem" went limp and flopped over.
I bought a soil meter from HD (PH and fertility),, I think it may be more of a gimmick than a useful tool??
Thinking I just don't have a green thumb and should stick to hunting deer??
Any advice is welcome.
