Most Important Investment for Your Garden
Whenever people set out to begin gardening, they try to think of everything. They buy the right plant food, purchase the “best” tomato stakes on the market, and read every book they can find about gardening. They do their research on the Internet, finding out which plants grow best in their area of the country. They buy the most expensive tools, the right deer repellant – organic so it doesn’t harm the environment, and the supersonic automatic water sprinkler system. Yet most people overlook the simplest investment they can make into their garden – their soil.
So many people believe that dirt is just dirt. It’s put there so that the seeds have something to hold them up. Others think that they can’t do anything about the soil. They have to make due with what they have been given. Unfortunately, both of these people are wrong and are missing a chance to take care of the soil and help their plants to grow.
First, there is no “right” soil for every occasion any more than there is one “right” car for every family. Before you do anything to the soil, plan what you are planting. Know what type of soil your plant needs. Some plants grow best in loose dirt. Others grow in sandy soil. Still others are used to digging in through clay chunks in their soil. Some plants grow in marshlands, other grow in desert sand. Almost every climate on the planet supports some sort of vegetation. In most cases, if that vegetation was transported to another location it would not survive. They have adapted to thrive in their home soil.
Once you know what type of soil you need, there are a few things you can do to make sure that your soil matches. The first thing is to till the soil. If you are the rough and rugged type who like to cut a living out of the soil with your own bare hands, then grab a shovel, jam it into the ground, and pull out a clod of dirt. Now, using the point of your shovel, break that dirt into tiny clumps. Do it again … and again … and again. Make sure you dig down about 8 inches throughout your entire garden. Alternatively, you can rent or buy a rototiller and let it do the work for you. Sure it vibrates so bad that your teeth come clean, but its still easier than the manual method.
You should also make sure to fertilize your soil. Learn what nutrients your plants need and start putting them into the soil before you ever drop a plan into it. In some cases you may want to use pesticides, but these should be used sparingly as every insect is a part of the ecosystem and can have a great effect on the other species.
Hopefully, with the right preparation, a nutrient-rich, loosely tilled soil will give you great results in the long run. You’ll find your vegetables to be bigger, your flowers brighter, and your hobby much easier.
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