Preparing the soil is a large part of having a successful garden. When you feed your soil with the proper nutrients, your plants will thrive. But you must start by testing the soil so you know exactly what you have to add to get the best mix.
The best place to get a soil test kit would be at your local cooperative extension service. You could get a test kit from your local garden supply store, however, they aren’t as complete or as accurate.
The testing will measure the soil’s pH to determine the alkalinity or acidity. The pH that is recommend for the best soil is 6.8. You will use the results of the soil test to determine how much sulfur you add to soil that is too alkaline or the amount of lime you need to add to acidic soil. You can get both lime and sulfur at your local gardening center.
The soil test analyzes how much phosphorous, calcium, potassium, nitrogen and other minerals and elements are in the soil. The agency that does the test will suggest how to balance these elements for healthy soil. Make sure that you add a note to your sample letting the tester you are growing an organic garden and that you won’t be adding chemicals.
If your soil needs nitrogen added and you do not want to use animal byproducts, you should grow a cover crop that can fix this. You will have to wait a year then to start growing vegetables.
The good news is no matter what type of soil you have, it can be transformed into healthy soil. The best thing you can use to fertilize your garden is with compost. You can make your own using coffee grounds, vegetable peels and egg shells. Adding these items to your compost pile will provide your soil with the nutrients essential for healthy soil.
As you till up your garden, add the organic material in with the loose topsoil. You should also add horse or cow manure. You can get some from your local farmers or buy it at your garden center. Leaves and grass clippings can be added as well.
By adding this organic material in the soil, it will form humus to help hold moisture and allow for proper drainage. It also adds the needed nutrients to help your plants grow and thrive.
It’s important that you don’t start tilling your garden too soon. When your soil feels and looks like moist chocolate cake, this means you can start to dig. If it’s thick like fudge, you need to wait until it dries out to the consistency of cake.
You should dig down just enough to get rid of weeds, grass and roots. Try to shake out the dirt from them though to keep in your garden.
You can add the grass to your compost pile. After you prepare your soil, let it rest for a few days before you start planting. Soon you will be planting your very first crops!
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