Healthy soil is undoubtedly a crucial factor in achieving a thriving yard and bountiful harvest. Not only does it lead to a more productive garden, but it also requires less maintenance from the gardener. The key question then becomes: how can we cultivate healthy soil? By implementing these recommendations, you’ll not only be rewarded with a better-performing garden, but also one that is teeming with microorganisms and other beneficial organisms.
Better Soil – How to Improve the Soil in your Garden
Have Your Soil Well Drained
To achieve optimal soil drainage, you need to start by understanding your current soil’s draining capabilities. Begin by digging a one-foot deep and wide hole, filling it with water, and waiting for it to drain completely. Once drained, insert a ruler and fill the hole with water again. After 15 minutes, measure the water level and multiply it by four. If you get less than an inch of drainage in an hour, your soil is poorly draining.
Ideally, aim for a drainage rate between one and six inches within an hour; if it drains more, your soil is dry and drought-prone. You can either accept your soil as is and choose plants accordingly or take steps to improve its drainage. To do so, consider creating raised garden beds with added topsoil or incorporating flower beds that double as catch basins for rain.
For further insight on improving slow-draining soil, I suggest consulting the Rodale Institute’s comprehensive information on the subject.
Add Compost
Compost brings a multitude of benefits to the soil, tackling drainage issues regardless of whether you’re dealing with excess water or dryness. By improving soil structure, it enables plants to flourish, sporting stronger growth and longer roots that fully capitalize on available nutrients. This, in turn, allows them to reach their maximum potential. While not a traditional fertilizer, compost does contain valuable nutrients that enhance soil quality and garden health.
When crafting your own compost, you’ll have a better understanding of the specific nutrient profile, such as calcium from added eggshells. Furthermore, compost is distinguished by its microorganism-rich content, which facilitates soil aggregation and can even help mitigate plant disease. Start your composting journey today and reap these rewards.
Think Beyond Composting
Plant a Cover Crop
In the transition from summer or fall gardening to the next growing season, consider planting a cover crop. This strategic move involves incorporating grains, grasses, and legumes that can be easily incorporated into the soil during spring preparation. By doing so, you’ll not only reduce soil compaction and prevent erosion but also enhance air and water penetration in the soil.
When tilling the cover crop into the earth come spring, it will break down and act similarly to compost – albeit more rapidly since it’s going directly into the ground rather than being stored for several months or even years.
Get Your Soil Tested
When I was in the fourth grade, our class went on a field trip to a state park about 45 minutes from school. During the visit, we learned about soil testing towards the end of the excursion. We were given a tube and a piece of paper with instructions on how to collect and test our own soil samples. The focus was on determining the levels of essential nutrients like pH, phosphate, potassium, and magnesium.
My park ranger guide emphasized the importance of a suitable pH level for most vegetables, which ideally falls within a neutral range of 6.5-6.8. If the pH is too high or low, it can cause nutrient imbalances, as the soil particles become chemically bonded to their own needs, effectively ‘taking care’ of them rather than providing benefits to plants. Fortunately, with at-home testing kits like those available today, you can quickly determine your soil’s needs within a couple of hours.
Alternatively, organizations offering professional lab services are also available to help you with soil testing.
Figure Out What Your Soil Is
Use Mulch
I’ve never been a fan of traditional mulches, finding them unappealing and, as someone who prefers going barefoot, I find they can be painful to walk on. However, I understand the numerous benefits of using mulch in the right way. Rather than relying on wood clippings, many gardeners opt for letting their grass grow tall, cutting it, and then allowing the trimmings to dry before spreading them over the soil.
This natural approach not only eliminates the discomfort but also creates a nutrient-rich environment. Beyond the usual suspects like wood chips or bark, some innovative mulch options include ground-up cardboard and newspaper. These unconventional materials help regulate temperature fluctuations in extreme weather conditions while providing a food source for microorganisms and earthworms, making them an environmentally friendly choice.
Avoid Compacting the Soil
When walking on wet ground, compaction occurs, resulting in reduced breathability. To mitigate this issue, establishing permanent pathways can be beneficial, reducing the likelihood of soil degradation due to frequent foot traffic. This approach not only enhances soil health but also offers a creative outlet for crafting and DIY enthusiasts.
Get Rid of the Archenemies
While it may be unpleasant to address, the issue of weeds competing with your crops for nutrients is a crucial one. It’s essential to allocate regular intervals to devote attention to this matter, gathering as many willing hands as possible to tackle the task. By removing these unwanted interlopers from your garden, you’ll be ensuring that your produce receives the sustenance it requires to thrive.
Last but not Least…
It’s essential to recognize that the state of your soil didn’t come about suddenly, nor will it be restored overnight. Instead, it requires a sustained effort and an understanding that progress is often a continuous journey with its own set of twists and turns. As you work to improve your soil, remember that there may not be a definitive end point, but rather a series of discoveries that unfold as you delve deeper into the complexities of soil health.
With persistence and patience, your garden can flourish, teeming with beneficial microorganisms, optimal pH levels, and nutrient-rich manure.
