Soil Improvement Made Simple
- By Kenneth Point
2005 Every Herb Bearing Seed
http://www.mygardeningsecrets.com
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I frequently receive questions from gardeners who are concerned
about the quality of their soil and looking for easy ways to
improve their soil conditions. The problems range from issues
with texture, such as dealing with a heavy clay soil or one that
is too sandy. Or troubles related to a soil that is deficient in
nutrients, too wet, shallow, hard packed and difficult to work,
or just not producing the results that the gardener desires. My
simple solution for each of these soil issues is to increase the
amount of organic matter that is present in the garden.
Adding organic matter in the form of compost, leaf mold,
mushroom soil, aged manures, worm castings, and other decomposed
yard and kitchen waste will do wonders to invigorate and improve
the quality of any soil. Organic matter possesses the ability to
change soil texture, increase fertility, add to the volume and
depth of your soil, and improve the water retaining
characteristics of your soil.
The amazing thing is the way that totally opposite conditions can
be corrected by applying the same solution. For example if your
soil is too sandy, adding organic matter over time will result in
the texture improving towards more of a loamy texture. At the
opposite extreme, gardeners with a heavy clay soil will receive
the identical benefits by increasing the amount of organic matter
contained in their gardens.
Another example can be made of the water retaining character of
your soil. Gardens that have poor drainage and tend to become
waterlogged can be improved with the addition of more organic
matter, which will loosen the soil and allow for better drainage.
On the other hand, soils that drain too quickly and tend to dry
out rapidly can also be improved with the addition of organic
matter. In this case, the additional organic matter tends to bind
the soil particles together and help the soil retain more
moisture.
If you look around your property or neighborhood, you should be
able to identify free sources of valuable organic matter. I you
have trees growing on your property then leaves are the best
place to start. Rather than burning or setting them out for
municipal collection, recycle all of your leaves through
composting, or by creating leaf mold. Another common source of
organic matter that is underappreciated and frequently thrown
away is from grass clippings.
Other sources of organic matter can be obtained from spent vines,
plants, rotted produce, and other garden residue that is left
behind after you harvest your garden. You'll also be surprised by
the amount of kitchen waste that can be recovered and composted,
rather than being sent to the landfill or run through the garbage
disposal. And if you investigate, you can frequently find a local
source of manures and bedding materials from a stable or farm
that will make a great addition to your compost pile.
It's important that you allow whatever organic matter you decide
to use to decompose and break down prior to adding them to your
garden. Otherwise you will actually tie up nutrients during
decomposition, rather than make the nutrients immediately
available to you garden. Get into the habit of constantly
composting your available materials, add more organic matter to
your garden beds each year, and you're sure to see great results
in the form of improved soil conditions and better plant growth.
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Kenneth Point is the author of the new ebook: "Amazing Secrets to
Growing Luscious Fruits and Vegetables at Home". Discover the
secrets to quickly and easily grow delicious gourmet fruits and
vegetables right in your own back yard. For more information
visit http://www.mygardeningsecrets.com.
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