Arlene Wright-Correll

How to Improve Your Garden Soil



Posted: Friday, October 17, 2008

by
http://www.learn-america.com

The only time I lived in a place where the soil did not have to be improved was on an old dairy farm in Northern New York . The top soil on our place went down thirty inches before it hit any thing else. Everything grew without any amendments.

However, after that "forgetaboutit!"

One does not need an expensive power tiller if one does not mind some elbow grease with a good spading fork. Matter of fact it takes a lot of elbow grease or muscle to run a power tiller. Those commercials shown on TV are really suspect when one looks close and sees that they dirt they are running the tiller through is practically "saw dust" consistency.

At any rate, let's get back to amending the soil. Stake out the area you want your organic garden and spread three to four inches of organic matter over the soil. Using your spading fork till it in prior to doing your planting and remember a spading fork will do a better job than a shovel when it comes to loosening and turning soil.

Your plants will need phosphorus for good root growth. That is why bone meal is added when one plants bulbs in the fall.

Your plants will also need nitrogen for healthy leaf and stem growth and remember that nitrogen does not stay in the soil for any length of time as your plants will be using it up as they grow, so you may have to add some as you go along, but not too much or you will have less fruit and flowers and more foliage.

Your plants will also need potassium for overall healthy plants as it stimulates growth and aids your plants immune systems. Keep in mind that both potassium and nitrogen are water soluble and need to be replenished from time to time.

A good soil testing kit is important to measure all of these elements and the pH of your soil as the pH measures the alkalinity and acidity of your soil.

Soil texture is important to know about for your organic garden. If you have too much clay in the ground do not try to add sand or you will get cement. If you shake off the roots of the plant and the dirt breaks apart easily then you have sandy soil. Adding animal manure or plant humus to your soil will help greatly.

"Tread the Earth Lightly" and in the meantime May your day be filled with Peace, Light and Love,

Sign up Now to be a SearchWarp author:

http://SearchWarp.com/Register.asp

Author's note: This article was originally written for GreenThumbArticles.com

About the Author & Artist. Arlene Wright-Correll (1935- ___), popular American award winning Artist, published author, columnist, & is the resident art instructor for Avalon Stained Glass School, at the age of 68, decided to pick up her paint brushes again after 54 years and paint.  She is a cancer and stroke survivor who is able to strive forward each and everyday to welcome the beauty of this small planet.  She also is a China & Porcelain painter, Sandblasting & Etching, Stained Glass & fused glass Artisan. She is one of the six KY Artists who worked 6 months to create the dolls for Journey Jots in 2006 and a Smithsonian Institute art exhibit in 2008. Her published books can be found here . She is also a featured writer for GreenThumbArticles.com and teaches Art Vacation Holidays at Avalon Stained Glass School and Creativity Center.

This Article has been viewed 127 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.