The best general planting soil is loose, fertile (rich in decayed organic materials), well drained, and usually has a neutral PH level. Unless the area is a rarity, it is unlikely that the garden soil is going to be perfect or even consistent throughout an entire area.
Preparing the Soil
When the weather and soil is warm enough to begin playing in dirt, the soil should be prepared by being “turned” to a depth of about 6 inches. The gardener can use any type of spade, hoe, or tiller. While turning the soil, the weeds and grass need to be removed. Leaving weeds does provide organic decayed material, but also leaves potential weed re-growth. When preparing the soil pay attention to the soil components.
Identifying the Soil
The type and characteristics of soil are important in understanding what plants will be prolific in the selected garden or flowerbed area. Just as plants have a certain growing season, they also have needs for different soil types. The plant’s root structure and need for nutrients, and water or drainage are all critical to plant survival.
No self-respecting gardener wants to be known as a mass plant killer because they placed sand loving root plants into a hard clay soil. The best flowerbed will have a mixture that allows adequate drainage, PH, and nutrients, as well as matching the soil to the plants being added.
- Clay soil holds moisture well and is more nutritious than sandy soil. However, clay dries slowly and allows water to run off rather than penetrate the hard, closed ground.
- Sandy soil doesn’t hold water well and can cause plants to dry out quickly. Watering carries nutrients away through the loose, open particles of sand.
TIP: Testing the soil to determine quality is as simple as the “clump” test…take a handful of soil and squeeze it firmly. Open the hand, if the soil stays in a tight clump the soil could use a peat mixture to keep it loose and root-friendly. If the soil has no larger particles, then it is too sandy.
Improving the SoilAdding organic matter to the soil will increase nutrients for the future plants. Using general “fill” dirt may be cheaper and might even help, but it is also likely to re-introduce weeds. Other soil improvements offer better choices for plants and improve the granularity and moisture retention for better plant life. Clay soil is broken-up by the coarse soil matter, helping to increase the plant feeding and the ability of soil to distribute water. Fine, granular sandy soil benefits from the addition of implements to increase water retention and nutrients.
CompostingThe cheapest and best source of organic matter is the gardener’s own compost pile, filled with leaves, sawdust, grass clippings, pine needles, manure and non-protein scraps-- coffee grounds, egg shells, and vegetable trimmingsDo not use discarded weeds. Purchasing potting soil and peat moss to use as additives are also great soil implements and can be composted too.
Depending upon the materials added to the soil, pH levels could be impacted. Local County Extension Agencies are a good source for tips and testing in your area. For more information on your area growing go to Solutions for Your Life. The USDA website provides further information on acceptable pH soil levels.
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