Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
rich humus. High-fiber, woody materials are exactly what some
soils need. Sawdust and wood chip mulch will conserve water, con-
trol weeds, and build long-term soil fertility.
Organic matter in soil helps to lighten it, offering better drainage
and the ability to hold the correct amount of water for your plants.
Add in as much organic materials as possible, such as compost or
aged animal manure (several inches if you have that much), and till
or dig it under. Mulching with straw or leaves can protect the soil
from erosion and leaching of nutrients; the mulch will decompose
over time, adding organic matter to the soil. With container gardens,
it is important to renew your soil every year before planting a new
crop, as well as regularly fertilizing every few weeks.
If your garden area has a drainage problem and you are not sure
how to go about fixing it, call a landscaper to assess the situation for
you. Drainage pipes, which can help remove any excess water you
may have in your garden site, can be placed underground. Well-
drained soil helps to keep plant roots from becoming waterlogged,
allowing the plants to absorb the nutrients and oxygen needed to
grow and mature. Poorly drained soil leaves your vegetable plants
more susceptible to root rot and disease.
Backyard Composting
Welcome to the wonderful world of compost! For your smoothie
vegetables to taste their best and grow in the healthiest way pos-
sible, you need to make compost for your plants. Making compost
can be a huge benefit for your vegetable garden. It does take some
work, but for a little time and effort, the rewards are great! A com-
post pile makes use of your kitchen waste that otherwise would go
into the garbage, and is an excellent spot to recycle your weeds (just
