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Garden Soil

Just how important is garden soil?  Dirt is dirt…soil is soil…right?  Well, not if you want your garden plants to be vigorous and thrive in your garden. 

 

The plants you want to grow need the right balance of nutrients in order to thrive.  They receive those nutrients from the soil, so it only stands to reason that your soil needs to be nutrient rich.  How do we achieve that?  Let’s find out how to prepare soil.

You could put in raised beds and buy all the materials to have with rich soil from the beginning such as suggested in Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholemew.  It can be expensive depending upon the size of your bed, but if you are so inclined it might be something to consider.  After that initial soil is brought in, you can grow, collect and compost the things you need to keep the soil great.  Ideally, your yard would supply what you need to keep your soil nutrient rich, unless you have a very small yard with little room for composting, etc. (but we talk more about that on the Garden Compost and Garden Fertilizer pages).

                                                   

But, if you would like to work with the soil you currently have in your yard, that’s great!  You may still have to add materials (sometimes called amendments) at first if your soil is lacking in some of the necessities, but it should be less than when building raised beds.  It does often require more effort, but it’s exercise for the body.  Additionally, it’s nice to know you can walk out to your yard and start with what you have.

 

In a nutshell, this is what you should do:

  • SOIL TEST

    It may not be as exciting as putting in plants and watching them grow, but you’ll want to do some garden soil testing.  It is interesting to understand what kind of soil you have and important.  You’re looking for whether your soil is acidic (ph 1 to ph 6.5), alkaline (6.8 ph – 14 ph) or neutral (6.5 ph – 6.8 ph).  Most plants like the soil to be neutral or more on the alkaline side.  Some plants like rhododendrons and blueberries like it more acidic. 

 

  • You can purchase a soil test kit for doing your garden soil testing, or you can send soil samples off to a lab.  There is a comprehensive list of labs below or check with your county extension office.  The at home test will not be as accurate as it will be from a lab, but it should you an overall picture of your soil.  Still if you are able and so inclined, sending off a sample is a great way to go.  There are also frugal ways to complete a diy soil test.  It will basically give you an idea of whether your soil is primarily alkaline, acidic or neutral.  

 

DIY SOIL TEST:   Put some soil in a container. Add a half-cup of vinegar. If the soil bubbles or fizzes, it's alkaline.  If no reaction, put a fresh soil sample in a second container. Mix in half-cup of water. Then, add a half-cup of baking soda. If the soil bubbles or fizzes it is highly acidic.  No reaction with either, it’s neutral.

 

  • Hopefully, you now have an idea of the type of soil you have.  You’ll also want to determine if the soil is mostly sand, silt or clay.  Here is a good YouTube video that talks about the difference.  It is categorized under “woodland soil,” but gives good overall information: WOODLAND SOIL 

 

 

 

  • How to prepare soil

    ALKALINE VS. ACIDIC

Now that you know whether your soil is alkaline, acidic, clay based, sandy or has a mix of characteristics, it is time to prepare the soil.  It takes time for the your soil to change – possibly two or more growing seasons, so be patient.

 

ALKALINE SOIL THAT NEEDS TO BE MORE ACIDIC

Generally…

If your soil is too alkaline, you will add some sort of sulfur.  If you plan to buy your amendments, a garden center expert can help you determine how much and what you should add, but a good rule of thumb is:

 

-For ground sulfur the amount applied per 100 square feet will be different depending upon your soil with 1 pound being the least for sandy soil and around 1.5 pounds for loam or heavy clay.

-Organic materials can be added such as pine needles, sawdust or peat moss (please remember that peat moss is a non-renewable material).

 

 

ACIDIC SOIL THAT NEEDS TO BE MORE ALKALINE

If your soil is too acidic, you can add some wood ash or ground limestone.  If you plan to buy your amendments, a garden center expert can help you determine how much and what you should add, but a good rule of thumb is:

 

-For ground limestone the amount applied per 100 square feet will be different depending upon your soil with 3-4 pounds being the least for sandy soil and around 8 pounds for loam or heavy clay.  You can add a little more to clay soil

 

-Wood ash can be added in the amount of 2 pounds for 100 square feet.  Don’t put more and add it every two to three years – if needed.

   

  • ORGANIC MATTER

You will also want to add organic matter to your garden soil.  The most you want to add would be about 4 inches to very sandy soil down to 1 inch for a more silty soil.   Continue to add 1-2 inches per year.  Mulch beds.  Read more about organic matter in our Garden Compost section and mulches in our Garden Mulch section.

 

Keep in mind, if you add materials such as leaves, straw or other materials that are not broken down, the microorganisms in the soil may deprive your plants of nitrogen in order to decompose them.  So, either add them in the fall when they can decompose with no competition from plants or compost them first.

 

Now, that you have the basics about garden soil, you will want to always work on keeping your soil in good condition.  Growing green manures (cover crops), adding aged manures and compost will continue to create a balanced environment for your plants to thrive.  As your plants grow, they take up nutrients from the soil, so those nutrients need to be replaced.  Ideally, you will do that organically with compost, green manures, etc., instead of adding synthetic fertilizers.  Our section on Garden Fertilizer will help to explain the difference about fertilizing. 

 

Treat your garden soil well and it will reward you with bountiful harvests and beautiful garden plants!

 

GARDEN SOIL TEST KITS:

 

 

 

 

Below lab list is from:

 

Gardening Products Review

 

Alabama - Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory

AK – University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension – Soil Testing

AZ – University of Arizona Cooperative Extension – Soil Testing

AR – University of Arkansas System – Soil Testing and Research Laboratory

CA – University of California Cooperative Extension

CO – Colorado State University – Soil Testing

CT_ University of Connecticut – Soil Testing Program

DE- University of Delaware Soil Testing Program

FL – University of Florida Cooperative Extension – Soil Testing Services

GA – University of Georgia Cooperative Extension – Soil Testing

HI – University of Hawaii at Mānoa – Soil Testing

ID – University of Idaho – Soil Chemical and Physical Analyses

IL- University of Illinois Extension – Soil Testing Labs

IN- Purdue University Soil Sampling & Testing

IA – Iowa State University – Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory

KS – Kansas State University  Agronomy Soil Testing Lab

KY – The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture – Cooperative Extension Fayette County

LA – Louisiana State University – Soil Testing & Plant Analysis Lab

ME – The University of Maine – Cooperative Extension Publications Soil Testing

MD – University of Maryland Co-Op Ext Soil Testing Services

MA – University of Massachusetts Soil Testing Program

MI – Michigan State University – Soil Testing

MN – University of Minnesota – The Soil Testing Laboratory

MS – The Mississippi State University – Soil Testing

MO – University of Missouri Extension – Soil Testing & Plant Diagnostic Services

MT – Montana State University Extension – Soil Testing Information and Labs

NE – University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Soil Testing Information and Labs

NV – University of Nevada Coopoerative Extension – Soil Testing Information

NH – University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension – Soil Testing

NJ – Rutgers University Cooperative Extension Office Soil Test Program

NM – New Mexico State University – Soil Testing Locations

NY – Cornell University Cooperative Extension

NC – North Carolina Department of Agriculture – Soil Testing Services

ND – North Dakota State University Soil Testing Lab

OH – The Ohio State University – Soil Testing Resources

OK – Oklahoma State University – Soil Testing

OR – Oregon State University Central Analytical Laboratory – Soil Testing

PA – Penn State Soil Testing Services

RI – University of Rhode Island Soil Testing Program ( in conjunction with UMass)

SC – Clemson University Cooperative Extension – Soil Testing

SD – South Dakota State University – Soil Testing Labs

TN – University of Tennesse Soil, Plant, and Pest Center

TX – Texas Agrilife Extension Service Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Service

UT – Utah State University Soil Testing Laboratory

VT – University of Vermont Soil Testing

VA – Virginia Cooperative Extension Soil Testing Services

WA – Washington State University Soils and Soil Testing

WV – West Virginia University Soil Testing Laboratory

WI – University of Wisconsin Soil & Plant Analysis Laboratory

WY – University of Wyoming – Soil Testing Laborator

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