Getting Garden Soil Right
May 16th 2006 06:57
A Course in Gardening #5: Getting Garden Soil Right
Last edition, we looked at how the sun can affect not only the analysis of the site for your garden, but also plant election that has an impact, and to an extent, governs, your final design outcome.
The next articles will cover the importance of soil. Sun and soil together are the crucial preliminaries before you start planting.
Dirt is kinda boring, I admit it. On the surface it sucks, but on a micro-scopic level it is teeming with organisms, and supports the life of insects too. Insects such as earthworms do their bit for your soil by aerating it as they move through, and providing organic matter as they produce waste, and eventually die. On average, the typical yard has 90% mineral content, and 10% organic matter. Raising the organic content is what gardeners call 'good soil'.
It is also worth noting here that pesticides make their way to the soil, and kill many things along the way, even on a micro-biotic level. Synthetic fertilizers add nothing to the fertility of the soil, and can damage plants (as well as the eco-system). For natural fertilizers, consult here, and your nursery.
So what can we do to get da good soil? Check it....
Soil Texture
Basically, this is the size of the clumps of soil. Here are some common soils:
Sand: Sand drains well, and has very small particles. It doesn't compact well.
Silt: Silt is has even smaller particles.
Clay: Clay has smaller particles still (almost micro-scopic), and they are flat in shape. It packs well, but leaves no room for air and water to move.
Sandy Loam: This is the good stuff, and it is a mixture of 3 textures. But don't try to alter the soil you have by mimicking sandy loam. This will fail.
Soil Structure
Basically, how does your soil clump together?
Sqeeze a bit in your hand. If you poke it and it breaks easily, it is sand. If it takes a little more pressure, it is silt. If it doesn't break, you have clay. Easy! now you know what you're dealing with.
Good soil it crumbly, and allows air and water to pass through it. Here's how to improve your soil:
1. Organic matter: Crucial. It will improve any soil. Examples are compost, manure, and leaf mold. They all loosen the soil and give food to insects ...
2. Insects: Soil dwelling insects aerate the soil. That's a good thing.
Next article will explore the pH levels in your soil....and what to do about it.
Once again I must thank some fellow gardeners for the tips!
Last edition, we looked at how the sun can affect not only the analysis of the site for your garden, but also plant election that has an impact, and to an extent, governs, your final design outcome.
The next articles will cover the importance of soil. Sun and soil together are the crucial preliminaries before you start planting.
earthworms
It is also worth noting here that pesticides make their way to the soil, and kill many things along the way, even on a micro-biotic level. Synthetic fertilizers add nothing to the fertility of the soil, and can damage plants (as well as the eco-system). For natural fertilizers, consult here, and your nursery.
Basically, this is the size of the clumps of soil. Here are some common soils:
Sand: Sand drains well, and has very small particles. It doesn't compact well.
Silt: Silt is has even smaller particles.
Clay: Clay has smaller particles still (almost micro-scopic), and they are flat in shape. It packs well, but leaves no room for air and water to move.
Sandy Loam: This is the good stuff, and it is a mixture of 3 textures. But don't try to alter the soil you have by mimicking sandy loam. This will fail.
Soil Structure
Basically, how does your soil clump together?
Sqeeze a bit in your hand. If you poke it and it breaks easily, it is sand. If it takes a little more pressure, it is silt. If it doesn't break, you have clay. Easy! now you know what you're dealing with.
Good soil it crumbly, and allows air and water to pass through it. Here's how to improve your soil:
1. Organic matter: Crucial. It will improve any soil. Examples are compost, manure, and leaf mold. They all loosen the soil and give food to insects ...
2. Insects: Soil dwelling insects aerate the soil. That's a good thing.
Next article will explore the pH levels in your soil....and what to do about it.
Once again I must thank some fellow gardeners for the tips!
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