Our garden soil is the last things we look after while gardening as it seems usual and ordinary. Garden soil actually consists of nutrients, minerals and other organic matter which helps plant grow and produce. The soil felicitates plant growth by providing air and water through the roots. The quality of your garden soil is determined by its texture and fertility. As already discussed in manage and improve clay soil, soil texture is the size of particles present in it, this texture determines the movement of air and water in soil. Fertility of soil can be calculated on the basis of nutrients present therein along with its pH value. As discussed in soil acidity and management, maintaining the pH value of soil is important as it determines the ability of soil in absorbing available nutrients.

While preparing your garden bed for planting, it is essential to incorporate the necessary changes in the soil. As the garden bed is empty it becomes quite easy to dig, mulch or add organic matter and other compost for enriching your soil. These all activities can be done even when the plants are standing but a clean vacant bed will provide much convenience to work. Even if the soil is good and grows well still the soil ammendments will help you improve it. Soil amendments can be done in the following manner:

Soil evaluation

Soil EvaluationBefore working on your soil you should be aware about its basic ingredients like pH value, soil texture and nutritional value. Having this information at hand will widen your scope and understanding about your soil and its deficiencies. Lab testing your garden soil will provide you all the above required information. Soil testing services are offered by local authorities, cooperatives and local nurseries. Along with the test report they also suggest the required amendments to be made in its appropriate quantity.

Soil testing is the first and most important step for having a blooming garden. You may avoid the test if your garden is thriving but you will have to act on the very first signs of damage like yellowing or dull plants. Some gardeners do their troubleshooting based on some wild guess however this wont be an appropriate approach as many a times the issue which we consider as nutritional deficiency is actually a variation in soil pH value. Thus the right approach will lead you to success, lab testing your soil gets you to the right approach.

Soil pH

Soil PHPlants can absorb nutrients from the soil unless the pH value of soil is optimum. The pH value of soil can be increased by adding lime and decreased by adding sulfur. However it is advisable to make the necessary additions in stages as that will gradually treat the soil without harming them.

While making a new garden the recommended quantity of lime or sulfur may be immediately added throughout however in an existing garden it should be added not more than five to six pounds per 100 sq. fts. Once you have spread out the required quantity of lime or sulfur throughout the soil it should be mixed in the ground using a shovel or a tiller. The soil pH may change after few days hence it is required to be checked and amended periodically.

Soil texture

Soil texturePlants absorb moisture, air and nutrients through their roots. The supply of nutrients to plants is ensured by the soil’s pH value however the movement of air and moisture is controlled by the soil texture. As discussed in <> there are two types of soil viz. clayey soil and sandy soil. Clayey soul retains water which damages the plant roots and sandy soil quickly drains water leaving plants thirsty. Both clayey soil and sandy soil can be treated by adding any organic matter like compost, foliage, peat moss etc. On treating with organic matter, sandy soil holds moisture efficiently and clayey soil becomes fluffier. This helps the roots of your plant penetrate well and absorb air water already retained below. Organic matter decays gradually adding most required nutrients to the soil and aiding the soil ecosystem. Gardeners use compost, peat moss, foliage, manure, grass clippings etc. are the most common and easily available organic matter.

Fertilisers

FertilisersGarden soil once treated with organic matter will surely provide the desired results however it may take some more time for the organic matter to break down and start providing nutrients to your plant. On the other hand synthetic fertilisers are easily available in the market at a cheaper rate and they act faster than organic matter. Synthetic fertilisers wont treat the soil but they will feed the plants and help them thrive.

Synthetic fertilisers unlike organic matter are high in salt content which damages the soil. Organic matter provides a more longer and sustainable option however as stated above it takes sometime to show results. Normally synthetic fertilisers are rich in all primary nutrients: phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium. As the name suggests, granular fertilizers can be directly fed to the soil whereas water based fertilisers can be sprayed upon using sprayers or while watering.

By incorporating the above stated you can efficiently treat your garden soil. The best way to treat soil is by adding organic matter as by doing so the soil is enriched and rectified right at the base hence there is no further amendment required. A regular practice of providing your soil with organic matter will surely increase your produce as well as help the plants and its ecosystem sustain better. This way you can achieve better results, if you have some better experiences to share we await your comments below.

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