[CottonBall]

Soil is the key to a wonderful garden. Making compost is a low-cost way to improve soil.

I'm trying to learn to garden in the mountains. At least, I will when all the snow melts around May.

A friend up there is an avid gardener and tells me she never fertilizes or does anything to improve the soil. She believes the natural mulch of pine needles and aspen leaves, along with at least 5 feet of snow on the ground for 5 or 6 months, creates rich soil up there. The soil is pretty dark and every plant she's given me has thrived in our meadow.

Does anyone know about this? It sure is hard to find mountain gardening books or info! (We're at 7200 feet)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I did a quick google on “High Altitude Gardening”

Try looking under that subject; there are lots of sites out there!

http://gardening.coloradohighaltitude.com/index.php

http://www.highcountrygardens.com/library/view/article/78/

http://www.echters.com/Altitude.htm