Taking up gardening? It’s an excellent hobby. During this pandemic, I know of many friends and relatives who have decided to take on gardening and do something about their yard and empty spaces. When you talk about gardening yes, the first thing that you must pay attention to is the soil. So, if you’re here seeking for a solution as to what type of soil is best for growing plants then you stop by the right place. Keep reading to learn all about the soil that you require to grow your plants.
There are four important things that are needed in order for your plants to grow strong and big they include;
- Oxygen
- Sufficient nutrients
- Water
- Sunlight
Now if any of the above four things are missing you will realize that your plans are struggling and many times the plants will die. Now from the above four factors soil definitely has a major impact on three factors that include oxygen, nutrients, and water. Plants do not have a home of their own and the soil is a location that they live in 24/7. Soil is the place where their roots growing allowing them to weather all seasons along with absorbing nutrients and water. It is an understatement for me to say, your plants require the best soil. So, what kind of soil is best for growing your plants?
I know of many upcoming gardeners and homeowners that presume sunlight and water are the two factors important for growing their plants. They do not pay much attention to their soil because they have a mindset of all soils are equal. But that’s wrong, they are not. Every soil differs greatly in structure, density, and composition. This variance can alter nutrient levels, compaction, drainage, and even the kind of organisms that grow and live-in soils.
Mainly there are 3 kinds of soil they are;
- Silt
- Clay
- Sand
All the above soils are mainly categorized by flexibility, texture, moisture retention, and size. Each soil uniquely varies in the way they support growth factors, oxygen, nutrients, and water.
Is Silt the best for growing plants?
The particles of silt are bigger in comparison to clay however, they are smaller than sand. Most of the time and is found in places where it has been deposited by water or streams. Silt can retain moisture however; it will not allow the flow of oxygen. These deposits are extremely fertile and they support plant growth just like the rich farming close to the river Nile in Egypt or wetlands that are near the river Mississippi.
Is Clay the best for growing plants?
Particles of clay are tiny and close to each other. You would notice that clay is sticky and dense holding water extremely well however you must also remember it is extremely dense. So, when the clear gets dry it gets hard making tilling difficult. Many kinds of plants tend to face difficulties in clay soil because it is dense and has poor drainage. Therefore, the roots of the plants find it difficult to make it through the clay soil.
Is Sand the best for growing plants?
The particles of sand are launch and they have plenty of space in between. Nutrients and water can flow through very easily however; sand does not retain them. Soil that is sandy will not bind well. This soil is prone to erosion and these traits make sandy soil excellent for infiltration of oxygen.
Overall, you must always bear in mind that soil enhancement is not a one-time thing but instead is an ongoing process. Well, that’s all for now and I do hope that you have received more clarity as to which kind of soil is best for growing your plants. Happy gardening!