Today’s Garden Ideas

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Organic soil additives can improve soil texture and increase the nutrients available so your plants will grow lush and beautiful. To maintain healthy organic soil periodic testing and improvement will be necessary. Organic soil must have not only the correct amount of nutrients but its texture must be such that drainage does not become a problem.

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To improve your organic soil first determine its deficiencies. The best way to do this is through soil testing. Check with your local nursery for testing kits. You local county extension agency might also be willing to analyze your soil for a small fee.

Once you determine what your organic soil needs to make it healthy blend these nutrients thoroughly into your soil. Use either a spade or fork for smaller areas and a rotary tiller for larger areas.

The best time for organic soil improvement is just before spring planting. Be sure to water your garden a few days before your plan to improve your organic soil. Before you begin to work the organic soil make sure it has dried. The soil should crumble in your hands. If the organic soil stays clumped together it will be too heavy to work and needs a few more days to dry. Once the organic soil is sufficiently dry, run the tiller in parallel lines. If the organic soil seems especially tough make two runs along the same path. Shovel your additives onto the organic soil. Be sure to spread the additive evenly. Run your tiller over the organic soil again until well blended. Finally rake the surface and water well.

For garden beds it is best to use a garden fork or spade to break up the organic soil. Break up the organic soil about 2-3 inches deep. Evenly sprinkle your additives on the broken up organic soil. Use the garden fork to evenly blend your additive into the organic soil. Finally even the area by raking in one direction and then the other direction. Water well so you soak the additive into the organic soil.

Organic Soil Additives

One great organic soil additive is shredded leaf and grass clippings. This is a great late fall additive to your organic soil. Simply blend into your organic soil and be sure to turn the organic soil several times over the winter. The grass and leaves will gradually break down into key nutrients for your spring garden plants.

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There are many organic soil additives you can use. Compost is a very dark, nutrient rich material. Builder’s sand is coarse and helps to improve drainage and loosen organic soil. Do not use this in clay soils. Peat moss is lightweight and inexpensive. It will loosen heavy organic soil and help the organic soil retain moisture. Composted manure is nutrient rich, especially in nitrogen. It too aids drainage and moisture retention in the organic soil.

Limestone, a chalky white powder, has calcium and magnesium and helps to lower organic soil acidity. Ground wood or sawdust can come from tree bark or wood chips. The material aids in organic soil drainage. Leaf mold, easy to make from raked up leaves around your yard, is high in potassium and nitrogen and aids plant growth.

Seasonal Soil Care

For seasonal organic soil care begin in spring testing your organic soil. Test for drainage, acidity and nutrient levels. Improve your organic soil a few weeks before you begin planting.

In summer mix in some organic soil materials like compost or manure. Rake the additives into the soil around your blooming plants. Be sure to water thoroughly so the nutrients will sink into the organic soil below.

Fall is the time to prepare your beds for the spring. Add some compost and manure to the soil and mix them in deeply. Dig up your soil about 1 foot and rake to break up clumps.

With just a few simple steps and a little muscle you can ensure an amazing growing season. Organic soil additives are easy to use and find be they home made or purchased from your local nursery. Always check with your gardening expert to be sure your purchased additives are truly organic.

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