Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
There are three main types of soils that are found in the garden: the two extremes of clay and sand,
and the ideal soil, what many gardeners call
loam
. Loamy soil is neither sand nor clay, but rather a
mix of each with plenty of organic matter mixed in. Unfortunately, most backyards don't magically
have this type of soil already present.
There are other types of soil you might have in your area, although they are less common.
Peat soils
form in wet, acidic areas and the soil is usually dark, almost black. The soil doesn't hold
its shape and retains moisture for a long time, but, like clay, when it dries it can become very dry.
Saline soils
tend to have a high
pH,
can be infertile, and are usually found in arid climates.
deFinitiOn
The
ph
of the soil is the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. The pH of your soil affects how available the nutri-
ents are to be used by your plants. The ideal range of pH for most vegetables is between 6 and 7.
You can tell a lot about your soil composition by giving it the squeeze test. When your soil is
slightly damp, like a wrung-out sponge, pick up a handful and give it a firm squeeze in your hand.
Heavy clay soil will retain a lot of water and will stick together like a sausage in a solid, slimy roll.
Highly sandy soil tends to dry out quickly and the clump will break together easily into very small
pieces when you open your hand. The more you can avoid either extreme, the better.
The tiny mineral rock particles aren't the only ingredients in the soil. It's also organic matter,
microorganisms, air, and water. The exact makeup of your soil determines the pH and the fertility
of your soil. In every case, the best way to improve the quality of the soil and make it better for
your home garden is to add soil amendments such as compost, peat moss, leaf mold, and other
organic matter.
Feeding the Soil
Bottom line: the better your soil, the better your garden. I used to think that this meant mixing up
some of that pricy, chemical fertilizer and pouring it over my plants on a regular basis when water-
ing. I've since learned that overuse of synthetic fertilizers can actually damage my plants, wash into
the water supply, and cause deficiencies in micronutrients that aren't supplied. The answer is to
build up your soil with organic methods like composting and nonharmful fertilizer.
Composting to Build Healthy Soil
Adding compost is one of most efficient ways to feed your soil and improve the soil quality. And
it's not something you do once; feeding your soil is an ongoing process that is part of your regular
maintenance in the backyard garden.
