Garden Structure Garden Soil
Soil is a main food supply for your plants but sometimes plants need a little more help and that can be in the form of fertilizer or mulch.
Mulch is great for plants, simply because you are turning something that would normally be thrown out as waste into a food supply and a very effective one at that.
Mulch will help to maintain moisture in the soil and reduce the weeds in the garden too.
Generally you should use mulch in damp weather so the plants will have sufficient moisture in the soil.
If you are using mulch in dry conditions make sure you water the soil first to retain some moisture as it will be harder for any water to get to the roots of your plants through the covering of mulch.
Mulch keeps the soil moist but it can also stop the soil getting moist if the water can't penetrate.
If you are using lawn clippings for mulch make sure you haven't used any chemicals on the lawn prior to cutting, that could have a detrimental affect on your plants.
If you leave the clippings to rot this will often reduce any side effects that these chemicals might have on your plants.
Lawn clippings can also generate a lot of heat so spread them around lightly in thin layers and don't smother your plants with it.
There are many different things that can be used for mulch, from lawn clippings and plant cuttings to straw, hay and bark.
All those autumn leaves that are blowing around your property can make good mulch but they really need to be left to rot before being used, as they can be quite acidic if used too soon.
If in doubt with anything you are using for mulch, leave it to rot and you can be sure it will be better for your garden.
Mulch is great for plants, simply because you are turning something that would normally be thrown out as waste into a food supply and a very effective one at that.
Mulch will help to maintain moisture in the soil and reduce the weeds in the garden too.
Generally you should use mulch in damp weather so the plants will have sufficient moisture in the soil.
If you are using mulch in dry conditions make sure you water the soil first to retain some moisture as it will be harder for any water to get to the roots of your plants through the covering of mulch.
Mulch keeps the soil moist but it can also stop the soil getting moist if the water can't penetrate.
If you are using lawn clippings for mulch make sure you haven't used any chemicals on the lawn prior to cutting, that could have a detrimental affect on your plants.
If you leave the clippings to rot this will often reduce any side effects that these chemicals might have on your plants.
Lawn clippings can also generate a lot of heat so spread them around lightly in thin layers and don't smother your plants with it.
There are many different things that can be used for mulch, from lawn clippings and plant cuttings to straw, hay and bark.
All those autumn leaves that are blowing around your property can make good mulch but they really need to be left to rot before being used, as they can be quite acidic if used too soon.
If in doubt with anything you are using for mulch, leave it to rot and you can be sure it will be better for your garden.
It's not what you start with when it comes to the quality of the soil in your garden, but the results you have when the preparation has finished that really matters.
With the correct information and procedures you can make any soil fertile but the key factor here is getting the right information in the first place.
Even poor quality soil can be improved to the extent that you can have a lush garden.
Planning Your Garden
Planning your garden ahead of planting will make all the difference as you will be able to get proper drainage sorted out while also allowing for good water and nutrient retention.
Digging the soil will give you a good feel for it's quality and allow you to look at factors such as the density of the soil and whether it needs breaking up to allow for more water, air and nutrients to be retained within it.
Selecting Your Plants
The types of plants you intend to have in your garden will determine what you will need to do with the soil, as some plants thrive in heavy conditions, such as those found in clay soils, whereas other plant roots will struggle to get through anything other than light sandy soils.
Mixing in compost, sand, and other grades of soil when you are digging your garden can change the structure considerably.
Having additional information from pH test kits will also ensure you have the right balance of lime in your garden.
You might need to add fertilizer to get the quality of the land up to suitable levels for planting but almost any soil can be made fit with the right preparation.
Consider raising the garden beds where the ground is particularly poor or where there could be problems with drainage.
Light sandy soils will have space for air, water and nutrients but the nutrients can get washed away easily leaving the plants to suffer.
Heavy clay soils can hold the nutrients better but the roots of the plants might have trouble getting to them.
Clay soils can also become waterlogged or alternatively in hot dry weather they can become very hard, cracked and dry.
The climate will play a big part in determining how you prepare your soil.
With the correct information and procedures you can make any soil fertile but the key factor here is getting the right information in the first place.
Even poor quality soil can be improved to the extent that you can have a lush garden.
Planning Your Garden
Planning your garden ahead of planting will make all the difference as you will be able to get proper drainage sorted out while also allowing for good water and nutrient retention.
Digging the soil will give you a good feel for it's quality and allow you to look at factors such as the density of the soil and whether it needs breaking up to allow for more water, air and nutrients to be retained within it.
Selecting Your Plants
The types of plants you intend to have in your garden will determine what you will need to do with the soil, as some plants thrive in heavy conditions, such as those found in clay soils, whereas other plant roots will struggle to get through anything other than light sandy soils.
Mixing in compost, sand, and other grades of soil when you are digging your garden can change the structure considerably.
Having additional information from pH test kits will also ensure you have the right balance of lime in your garden.
You might need to add fertilizer to get the quality of the land up to suitable levels for planting but almost any soil can be made fit with the right preparation.
Consider raising the garden beds where the ground is particularly poor or where there could be problems with drainage.
Light sandy soils will have space for air, water and nutrients but the nutrients can get washed away easily leaving the plants to suffer.
Heavy clay soils can hold the nutrients better but the roots of the plants might have trouble getting to them.
Clay soils can also become waterlogged or alternatively in hot dry weather they can become very hard, cracked and dry.
The climate will play a big part in determining how you prepare your soil.
