Topsoil Tips To Make This Year's Garden Even More Produtive
by Angel Kennedy
It is no secret that having a successful garden involves more than just the sweat of the gardener's brow. Like other living things, plants require nutrition in a form that they can readily access and utilize.
Rich, healthy topsoil is nature's way of providing this nutrition to the roots of vegetables, flowers, herbs, and many other food and forage crops. If you are a gardening enthusiast who would like to enjoy richer, healthier topsoil in your garden or lawn, here are some helpful tips.
Analyze
Soil content and nutritional makeup can vary widely, even on the same parcel of land. So it makes sense for gardeners to make sure they have accurate baseline information to guide them in their efforts to improve their soil.
Having soil testing done on your garden's soil is an important part of understanding the unique makeup of the dirt in which you will be growing food. In addition to providing information about the amount of sand, silt, or clay, a soil test will provide information about the level of important nutrients if offers, such as nitrogen and phosphorous.
Soil testing is typically offered through university extension centers, through soil and land management offices, and through private services.
Amend
Based on the results of the soil test, you may need to begin amending your soil with fertilizer to increase levels of any nutrients that may be depleted.
In addition to amending soil with fertilizer to increase its nutritional content, you may also need to add carbon in the form of straw, leaf matter, or other fiber-rich organic materials. Beefing up your home composting program is another good way to provide an ongoing supply of soil nutrients while also reducing household waste.
Add
If your garden is located in an area where the soil has eroded or where the topsoil depth is very thin, adding several inches of purchased topsoil may be necessary to improve your gardening efforts and ensure productive harvests. When purchasing topsoil, look for:
- dark, rich colors resembling coffee beans or chocolate
- loose, crumbly textures with few hard clumps
- soil that has been thoroughly screened to remove rocks, debris, and roots
If possible, avoid any topsoil that appears to have a high clay or sand content.
To learn more about choosing good quality, nutritious topsoil and ensure that you are purchasing one that will add value to your gardening efforts this year, contact a topsoil dealer or contact a garden equipment and supply center near your home.
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About Me
Once I bought my first home, I realized I wanted to dedicate a portion of the yard for a garden. I wanted to grow some fruits and veggies that I could use inside for cooking, but I wasn't sure how to get started. Fortunately, a neighbor of mine heard about my project and suggested a great continuing education class about beginning gardening. When I started going, I was overwhelmed, but I quickly realized that the information was valuable and interesting. Check out this website for details about the garden equipment and supplies you need to ensure a beautiful, bountiful garden.