Let's talk about something that can do or break your gardening success this season: the quality of the soil! So many garden failures go back to bad soil conditions.
Think of a good soil like a well-supplied pantry that provides everything your plants need to prosper, while the bad floor looks more like an empty refrigerator that leaves your plants hungry and in difficulty.
Understanding the difference between dirt and the ground may seem basic, but it is the foundation of a flourishing garden!
The difference between dirt and the ground
First of all, let's say something – the dirt and the ground are not the same!
Dirt is what you sweep your floors, while the ground is a living ecosystem that supports plant growth. A good soil is alive with bacteria and beneficial fungi that create a healthy network of soil food.
This living soil structure contains organic matter and has the right composition to support the roots of plants.
When the gardeners speak of “building ground”, they speak of transforming lifeless dirt into this rich and alive habitat that plants love.
Good floor vs bad soil
The contrast between good soil and bad soil is dramatic once you know what you are looking for.
A good floor collapses easily in your hand, has a pleasant earthy smell and houses visible organisms such as worms and beneficial insects.
When it rains, a good soil absorbs water without becoming sip of water or in the shape of water puddles.
The bad ground, on the other hand, often has warning panels that you can spot immediately.
It can be extremely compacted and difficult to maintain.
It could form a tight ball when it is wet that does not separate, indicating problems with the structure of the soil. Or it can be so sandy that it cannot hold moisture at all.
The bad ground generally lacks this rich and dark color and may seem pale, reddish or greyish.
When you dig in a bad soil, you will rarely find verses or other signs of biological activity, and it could be more sensitive to pests and diseases.
The good news is that even bad soil can be rehabilitated with constant care and the right amendments.
Remember that the soil is a living system that meets how we treat it – with some attention to soil health, even the difficult soil can be transformed over time.
What does the right floor look like?
Wondering how to know if you have the right things?
A good floor vs bad soil is easy to spot once you know what to look for. The three key elements of a healthy garden floor are:
1. nutrients
The right floor has a rich dark color – generally dark or black brown – which indicates a high carbon content. If your soil is very sandy, heavy in clay or an unusual reddish color, it may need help.
Plants need adequate levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for good growth. You can add nutrients:
- Kitchen Rangers and Compost Court Waste
- Addition of biological matter such as cuts or grass leaves
- Stir in amendments rich in nutrients such as coffee grounds, chimney ash and even crushed eggshells
- Use of organic fertilizers to complete specific nutrients
The composition of your soil directly affects how plants can access these essential nutrients.
2. Aeration and texture of the soil
It is the “fluffy” or the texture of your soil and the way in which the soil particles are organized.
When you tighten a good floor in your hand, it must hold together when in a hurry but to collapse easily when you open your fingers. The roots of the plants must easily navigate the soil to access nutrients and water.
The texture of the soil is determined by the proportion of sand, silt particles and clay in your soil.
If your soil is too dense or clay -shaped (often appearing dark red or black with sticky consistency), you can improve ventilation and reduce soil compaction by adding:
- Peat foam
- Pecan nuts
- Peanut
- A little sand (perfect for heavy clay floors)
The compacted soil rupture and the addition of these elements will create the perfect soil structure that your plants need to prosper.
Soil aggregates, which are clusters of soil particles linked together, help create pore spaces for the movement of air and water.
Sandy soil vs clay soil: common extremes
When you diagnose the quality of the floor in your garden, you will probably meet one of the two current challenges: sandy soil or clay soil. Both have unique problems, but with certain targeted amendments, you can improve one or the other type!
Sandy soil
The sandy soil is granular between your fingers and does not hold its shape when in a hurry. Although he warms up quickly in the spring (one plus for impatient gardeners!), He drains too quickly and does not keep nutrients well. Plants in sandy soil often fight because water and nutrients wash before the roots can absorb them.
To improve sandy soil:
- Add organic matter such as compost, well corrected manure or leaf mold
- Mulch strongly to reduce water evaporation
- Consider adding coconut black that keeps humidity better than peat foam
- Use cover crops during shopping to build organic content and increase carbon levels
- Avoid excessive work work which can further deteriorate the structure of the soil
Clay
The clay floor is sticky when it is wet and dry in hard and cracked areas. It holds humidity and nutrients well – sometimes too well, leading to poor drainage and root rot. The clay soil heats up slowly in spring and can be easily compacted, which makes the roots penetration difficult. The dense structure limits the diversity of plants that can prosper there.
To improve clay soil:
- Add a coarse organic material such as the composed bark
- Stir in agricultural gypsum to help break the clay particles
- Never work with clay soil when it is wet – wait until it is just slightly damp
- Consider raised beds as a faster solution while you are gradually improving indigenous soil
- Use specific changes in the soil to improve the texture and characteristics of the soil
Remember that soil improvement is a trip, not a destination.
Even difficult soils of soils can become suitable for gardens with constant attention to ground layers and good amendments.
Many experienced gardeners note that annual compost and organic matter additions will gradually transform the sandy and clay soils in this perfect silt -in texture that we all dream of for plant gardens!
3. Volume and depth of the soil
Many of us focus only on the few centimeters of our gardens, but plants need depth to develop strong root systems.
Most plants need at least 12 to 18 inches of good soil depth to really prosper. The adequate depth of the soil helps to prevent disturbances of the soil food network and allows better cycling of nutrients.
For gardens in the floor, try to correct your beds to loosen and improve the soil at a deeper level.
This creates distinct layers of soil that encourage the growth of the roots.
Even container gardens need attention to the depth of the ground – these cute little jars may not provide enough space for your plants to develop strong roots.
Creation of a balanced soil habitat
The ultimate objective is to create a balanced soil environment where beneficial bacteria, fungi, worms and other soil organisms can thrive alongside your plants.
These organisms decompose organic matter, cycle nutrients and even help protect plants from certain pests and diseases.
Consider each garden bed as its own ecosystem, with the floor as a foundation.
By feeding your life in your soil, you create an autonomous habitat that will reward you with healthier and more productive plants. As your soil, the diversity of plants, you can successfully increase, increase.
Transform the foundations of your garden
Whether you start a new garden or refresh a new one, take the time to understand and improve your soil will make all the difference in your results. Remember that the big gardens start from the ground!
Have you had spectacular improvements after setting the quality of your soil? We would like to hear your floor transformation stories in the comments below!
