If you’re looking to grow plants, perhaps even try your hand at producing fruit and veg, in your garden, then you’re going to need the right quality soil. That means soil that drains well, although not too quickly and soil that has plenty of nutrients.
The good news is, even if you don’t currently have very fertile soil, you can. All you have to do is use these tips:
It should be noted that you’ll need to turn the soil over regularly to ensure the nutrients are mixed and plants have the best chance of survival. The simplest way to do this is to invest in some rock augers and drill a selection of holes in your garden. You can then use these to turn the soil or, if they are small holes, to help position your plants.
Add Some Compost
If your soil doesn’t have enough nutrients then no plant will be able to flourish. Fortunately, you can add compost to the top of your soil and then turn the soil over to ensure the compost is mixed with the soil.
Doing this will help to keep the soil loose, which allows plants to take root easier. It also increases airflow through the soil which helps to maintain a healthy pH level.
It should be noted that you don’t just need to use compost. Manure is also a viable option and you may be able to get it free from a nearby farm or smallholding.
Test Your Soil
When you put compost in your soil you’re feeding it with nutrients. However, these nutrients will leach out of the soil and be used by the plants. It’s likely that you’ll need to add more. You can’t know how well the compost is doing unless you have a soil test done.
A test will show you the nutrient levels as soon as you added compost. You’ll then be able to take further readings. This will help you decide if the nutrient levels are shrinking. If they are, you’ll need to add more compost to maintain the right nutrient level. This is an ongoing process.
Add A Layer Of Mulch
It can be beneficial to add a layer of mulch to your flower or plant bed. This helps to retain moisture in the soil while increasing the level of nutrients. It’s best to choose a natural option, such as wood mulch as it will naturally decompose into the soil, improving its quality.
Plant Additional Crops
These are often referred to as ‘cover crops. The idea is you plant them when you have finished growing your produce. The cover crops grow for a short period and are then turned into the soil. As they decompose in the soil they will release more nutrients to help prepare the soil for your next plants.
As with any garden, it’s a matter of trial and error. By trying various different solutions you’ll get the perfect growing conditions and can produce a bumper crop. Then, you’ll just need to decide what you’re going to do with your plants.