How To Tell What's Wrong With Your Soil
December 31, 2022
Spacing plants appropriately is one thing that many of us struggle with for our entire gardening lives. When we start planting our bedding plants in the garden, it seems like the recommended spacing is way too generous. “There’s no way they’ll get that big,” we think as we tuck them in 2-3 inches closer than they should be. But they will get that big. And having plants too close together can cause lower yields at harvest time, require more watering, and make it easy for pests and disease to spread through the garden fast. If your plants were too crowded last year, take a ruler with you this year when you plant.
What is healthy garden soil?
A healthy soil is one that is well-rounded, full of nutrients, and fairly easy to cultivate. It’s the soil that we can grow our crops in without having to add any extra inputs. The key components of a healthy garden soil are: air, water, organic matter, nutrients, and minerals. Air – soil is void of air. Air is what you breathe in, so it’s important that it’s present in the soil. Water – soil is mostly water. Air and water are two components that get bound together to create the soil. Organic matter – this is the stuff that is living in your soil, like fungi and bacteria. These microorganisms help the soil to feed itself and provide the nutrients that plants need to grow. Organic matter is what we’re trying to replenish in the soil, so if it’s been reduced, it’s time to add some. Nitrogen – nitrogen is an essential element that plants use to grow. If your soil is lacking in nitrogen, you’ll have to add extra sources, like nitrogen-fixing legumes. Phosphorus – phosphorus is the key element that makes the leaves and stems of plants grow. If the soil is low in phosphorus, other plants in your garden, like vegetables, will suffer. Potassium – potassium is the key element that helps to keep the plant healthy and strong. It’s another element that we often find missing from our gardens and soils. Sulfur – this element is also often missing from soils, which can lead to diseases and poor yield. It can also increase the risk of fire by causing the kindling in the wood to burn faster than normal.
Finding out if your soil needs amendment
There are a few ways that you can find out if your garden soil needs amending. The first and most common method is to take a look at your plants and see how they’re growing. Plants that are growing well will be much taller than those that are short and weak. If you’re not seeing the results that you want from your garden, then maybe it’s because of the soil. Soil tests are also a great way to find out if your soil needs amending. Just get a soil sample from the garden, and send it off to a lab to have it analyzed. If your soil is missing key elements, you’ll know, and you can fix it before it’s too late.
How to tell what your soil lacks as a gardener
Now that you know if your soil is lacking a few things, we can find out what those things are. It’s helpful to know what’s missing so you can add it, and not so you can fix it. If you’re looking to add organic matter to your soil, then you’re in luck. Organic matter is one of the key ingredients to a healthy soil. There are many ways to add it to the soil, such as composting and adding compost to your soil. If you’re not already composting, you can start with a small bin in your backyard.
The three main nutrients that are lacking in most gardens
Nitrogen – nitrogen is the key element that plants use to grow. If your soil is low in nitrogen, you’ll have to add extra sources, like nitrogen-fixing legumes. Phosphorus – phosphorus is the key element that makes the leaves and stems of plants grow. If the soil is low in phosphorus, other plants in your garden, like vegetables, will suffer. Potassium – potassium is the key element that helps to keep the plant healthy and strong. It’s another element that we often find missing from our gardens and soils. Sulfur – this element is also often missing from soils, which can lead to diseases and poor yield. It can also increase the risk of fire by causing leaves to burn faster than normal.
Different ways to add nutrients to your soil
Organic matter
This is the stuff that is living in your soil, like fungi and bacteria. These microorganisms help the soil to feed itself and provide the nutrients that plants need to grow.
Peat moss
This is a great amendment for acidic soils. It helps to buffer the pH and make it less acidic.
Blood meal
This is a great source of nitrogen. Bone meal – this is a great source of phosphorus.
Summary
A healthy garden soil is one that is well-rounded, full of nutrients, and fairly easy to cultivate. It’s the soil that we can grow our crops in without having to add any extra inputs.
