Soil health, much like the quality of health in the human body, is a matter of nutrition and consistent caretaking. Gardeners seeking to grow larger, healthier plants with abundant yield will be especially interested in keeping soil quality a central point of importance.
Like most things worth having, there is a bit of work involved in achieving optimal soil. However, most gardeners find it to be an oft-therapeutic labor of love. Promier Landscapes put our expertise to work for you. Here’s an easy 6-step guide to improve the quality of your soil.
Step 1) Develop a manually workable soil texture
Loose soils tend to be best for gardening. They are easier for the gardener to maneuver and are bountiful in oxygen, moisture, and nutrients – all things most advantageous to plants. For this reason, seek to avoid compaction wherever possible; this inhibits the growth of your planted roots. Your root system will be shallower and highly susceptible to drought, not to mention deprived of much-needed oxygen. Being consistent with milling or raking helps to keep the soil loose.
Step 2) Proper nutrition
Macronutrients and micronutrients are ample in foods that nourish and bolster plant growth. Macronutrients are needed in larger quantities, while smaller quantities are required for micronutrients. Make no mistake, however, both are equal in value in the health and vigor of plants.
Step 3) Achieve the right moisture level
The most nurturing soils drain well but retain moisture for the plants to absorb. Soils rich in decomposed organic matter tend to have more microorganisms, nutrients, and oxygen, which as mentioned, is ideal for gardening. Decomposed organic matter is what often helps the soil to retain that moisture. What does it consist of? Anything that was once alive… hence, the value of compost.
Step 4) Test your soil for nutrients and PH level
Now that you have attained a workable soil texture that is conducive to oxygenation and health, you want to determine if your soil is alkaline or acidic. Universally, a pH measurement ranging between 6 and 7 is considered ideal for most garden life; this means that the plants have optimal access to rich nutrients if the measurement is within that range. The rock underneath your soil is often the determining factor in the pH levels of your soil.
Step 5) Use minerals to improve your soil
Once you have measured the pH of your soil, you can identify what it needs. No matter what type of soil you have, it can benefit from some additions of minerals. Sand, one of the coarsest grain sizes, is most useful in heavy, clay-rich soils. Lime is ideal for acidic soil and serves to raise a soil’s pH. Clay minerals, the finest of the grain sizes, are best used in sandy soils. They reign supreme in the storage of water and nutrients. This is also true of humus. Not to be confused with the chickpea-based dip, humus is often considered the prime soil improver. It’s important to note that clay minerals have not been degraded by the presence of microorganisms. Primary rock flours, like alkaline, are best utilized in forest soils, which are often low in nutrients.
Step 6) Safeguard your soil
Anything of value is worth preserving and protecting, especially if a considerable amount of time and effort has been invested. This certainly applies to soil that has been fed, watered, and cultivated by a devoted gardener just like you. It is best to retest your garden every three to five years. Make any appropriate nutrient adjustments during the gardening “offseason.” It is also recommended to cover your soil with black plastic each winter in order to avert erosion.
Consistent attention to nutrition and appropriate maintenance, much like with the human body, will most often lead to lush, healthy, vibrant lawns for years to come. Embrace that labor of love and have fun out there!
Soil Quality in Kingsport, TN
If you have questions about additional winter lawn care or prefer to hire a professional landscaping company in the Tri-Cities area, like Promier Landscapes, feel free to call our office at (423) 872-2988 or contact us online today.