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Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
You chose a location that gets plenty of sunshine. You purchased the best quality seeds and starter plants. You followed organic measures for pest control. You monitored rainfall and watering carefully, even installing a drip irrigation system.
Yet, despite all these “right” steps, your garden did not flourish last spring and summer. In fact, despite another year of gardening experience under your belt, your garden did more poorly than the year before. Why?
Article continues below.
As any experienced gardener knows, there could be a myriad of reasons for a poor harvest. But one area to closely examine is the condition of your soil. Healthy plants require healthy soil. This article examines nine ways to keep your garden soil healthy year after year.
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1. Test Your Soil
Successful gardening involves a continuous process of replenishing the nutrients in the ground. But you can’t renew what you don’t know you lack.
It’s essential to know the composition of your garden soil by testing it. Since your plants pull some nutrients from the ground and release others, testing is not a one-and-done situation. You’ll need to test every couple of years to make sure you have the right soil composition.
A basic soil test provides readings for soil pH, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. You also can learn about levels of lead and organic matter.
You can purchase soil testing kits online and in garden supply stores. If you prefer, you can take a soil sample to your local county cooperative extension service office for analysis and consultation.
Related Article: How To Test Your Soil The Way Pioneers Did
2. Add Organic Matter
Once you learn about any shortages or surpluses in your soil, you can make some changes to adjust the balance.
You may need to add some organic matter to enrich the soil. Organic matter can be anything that contains carbon compounds created by living organisms. Compost is decomposed organic matter that not only can enrich the earth but also help improve soil structure and help promote good drainage and aeration.
Here are some examples of organic matter:
- Alfalfa meal can boost the soil’s nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.
- Worm castings add nitrogen.
- Bone meal offers phosphorus and calcium.
Related Article: Composting 101 – Read This Before You Start
3. Add Mulch to Your Soil’s Surface
You already know that mulch helps cut down on weeds, but it also helps nourish the soil and improves soil structure.
Shredded leaves release nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and trace nutrients back into the soil as they decompose. Other options are straw, nut hulls, and tree bark.
Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to Mulching
4. Loosen Compacted Soil
Garden soil can harden, making it difficult for plant roots to grow and spread to reach the water and nutrients they need.
If water tends to collect…