Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Loamy Soil
Loamy soil has the ideal soil structure, which is a mixture of sand,
clay, and silt. It holds nutrients, retains moisture but does not get
soggy, and it is easy to work with. Gardeners who have been
gardening for years usually have made what soil they started with
into a rich, loamy soil. A rich, loamy soil is slightly moist and
crumbles easily by just poking your fingers into it. It is very similar
to rich, well-rotted compost.
Most soils are a combination, just with a bit more sand or clay in
them. But no matter what your soil type, it will need to be replen-
ished with healthy amendments (organic materials) and organic fer-
tilizers on a regular basis. Your vegetable plants are drawing
nutrients continuously while they are growing. Rain and wind can
wash or blow away nutrients as well, so it is important to know your
soil and to take care of it in order to have healthy vegetable plants.
Drainage Concerns
The amount of moisture present in the soil plays a huge part in
allowing nutrients to be used by the plants. Too much or too little
water is a concern when trying to grow healthy veggie, fruit, and
herb plants. If you have water sitting in your garden after a rain or if
your water seems to drain away too quickly, you probably have a
drainage problem. In containers, if the plants become waterlogged or
dry out, their growth can be affected, so drainage holes in containers
are extremely important for keeping your plants healthy.
Smoothie Garden Solution
Nature's plants rely on fallen limbs, leaves, seeds, and eventually
huge trees that decompose over time, making a forest a blanket of
