Jeff posts that he has moved into a rental unit
on the coast Of Washington and wants to amend
his sandy soil in the "most resourceful and
least expensive way."
One way that might qualify as being both resourceful
and inexpensive is to work out a garden plan that
doesn't need a rich soil. How about working with what
you've got? There are a number of plants that are native
to the sandy coasts of Washington and it might be both
realistic and fun to think mostly in terms of a garden
using native plants or at least plants that thrive in
your existing garden conditions and your area.
I'd pack a lunch and spend a little time just walking around
and looking. If I found a happy plant that is thriving in
conditions like that at home and that happy plant looked
like it might be appropriate, I'd try to get a cutting
.. . . you just can't get any less expensive that that.
If the treasure hunt doesn't produce a broad enough palate,
you might talk with your local County Agent and/or local
gardeners to learn which plants really do well in your area
when grown on your thin soil.
You might also check with the University of Washington about
native plants. I don't know what is going on at the
University of Washington at this time but, at least a few
years back, they had a serious interest in native gardens
and they might be a very good source of information.