What to do with ground with pretty much zero organic matter?

[zenpmd]

I have an area which has been concreted over for 30 years by the previous owner. In these situations, if you did not dig any compost in but only left it on top, would it improve all the way down to, say 8 inches over time?

[charles]

Yes in time the compost will be taken in by soil life
I saw this when growing on compacted clay how long it takes depends on many factors

[zenpmd]

as a finger in the air, how much total do you think I’d need to add to get good amounts into 8 inches of depth?

I used green manure elsewhere and I wonder whether this is one good use for green manure, ie an initial burst of matter

Out of interest – is the same true of horticultural grit? Can you consistently top dress in, say, a Mediterranean herb border, to improve drainage all the way down to the depths of the roots?

[zenpmd]

ie an initial burst of matter

[Author]

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