For successful gardening you need to have the right texture of soil which will provide the correct amounts of moisture and nutrients to give you healthy, luscious plants. In addition, you can face problems if the soil is too acidic or too alkaline for the plants you are growing. However, there are some guidelines you can follow. Using a pH meter or soil test kit you can find out about your soil and then you will be in a position to rectify any problems.
The soil can be tested and given a pH value; this is a unit for measuring the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. The soil is classed as acidic if the pH level is in the range of 1-7, neutral with a pH of 7 or alkaline with a pH of 7-14. It is important to know the pH of the soil as this affects the supply of major and minor nutrients to the plants, without which they will not flourish. If the pH level is low then all the important elements - nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur - are in short supply. When the pH is high the nutrients which are unavailable to the plants are phosphorus, iron, manganese, boron, copper and zinc. Most plants perform best in a neutral soil with a pH of around 6-7 so your aim should be to get to this level.
Test kits are easy to use and are available at garden centers and nurseries or you can have your soil tested at your local agricultural extension office. It is advisable to test soil samples from different parts of the garden as these can differ, for example, some builders rubble may have been left in the soil in a particular spot which could increase the alkalinity. If you need to lower the acidity of the soil then you should add some lime (calcium carbonate or dolomite), limestone or wood ash. To reduce the alkalinity of the soil you can add sulfur along with organic materials like peat moss, mulches or well rotted sawdust. When changing the composition of the soil you need to take it slowly and aim for the change to take place over a couple of years.
Although many plants grow best in a neutral soil there are several plants that thrive well in acidic soils such as azaleas rhododendrons, daphnes, ericas, and heathers. For those of you with alkaline soils then the plants to grow include gypsophila, scabiosa, anemones, lilacs and carnations. The consistency of the soil may also play a part in the quality of the plants, fruit and vegetables that you grow. There are generally three types of soil: sandy, clay and loam which are all made up of mineral particles which vary in size, shape and composition. You can identify your soil by its feel in your hand when it is moist.
Sandy soil does not stick together, feeling coarse and gritty. It is made up of particles of rock with large spaces in between allowing water and nutrients to drain away often before they have been absorbed by the plants. On the other hand, it does have good aeration and is easy to cultivate. Clearly this type of soil needs improving to ensure that the plants can get the nutrients that they required for proper growth. The addition of animal manure, leaf mould or garden compost will do wonders to improve sandy soil. This will need to be an ongoing practice as organic materials break down over time.
Clay soil sticks together, feeling plastic and sticky. It is made up of fine dense particles which retain too much water making it "heavy" and difficult to cultivate. In hot weather the soil can become very hard and the surface becomes cracked. For good plant growth the addition of large quantities of organic matter such as compost or leaf litter will help with drainage and give good aeration.
Loam sticks together and is friable but not gritty. It is made up of coarse and fine particles, giving good aeration and drainage which is ideal for a great variety of plants. Aeration is important because it allows a good intake of air round the root system, a major plus for abundant, healthy plants.
Once you have achieved a loamy soil in your backyard it is necessary to continue adding organic matter on a regular basis to keep it in good condition and maintain nutrients. If you follow the information given here you will be well on the way to achieving the great, healthy harvests that you desire.
Colin Price has been very successful in all types of gardening over many years. Find out how you can take advantage of his knowledge and success and create your own beautiful and productive garden at =>
http://www.OutdoorAndGarden.com
