I suggest that you consider what type of soil you have in your garden to understand how to get the best from it. It’s really important to be aware of the soil type of your garden as this can affect the health and viability of your plants.
There are six main soil types: Clay, Sand, Silt, Peat, Chalk and Loam View Decorative Bark
Clay soils have 25% clay and feel lumpy and sticky when very wet. They hold a lot of water and can cause drainage problems. Clay soils will be rock hard when dry and slow to warm in the spring. If managed well by the addition of organic matter, it will be easier to work and also be richer in nutrients than some other soil types.
Sandy soils are characterised by a gritty texture which drains quickly after watering and will warm up quickly in spring. Although a sandy soil type is easy to cultivate, it is low in nutrients and plants will benefit from the addition of organic matter or fertilisers.
Silty soils are smooth and soapy to the touch, made up of very fine particles which are easily compacted. They are richer in nutrients and hold more water than sandy soils and with the addition of organic matter to bind the fine particles can be a very good fertile soil.
Peat soils tend to be darker in colour and are highly water retentive so may require drainage. This type of soil contains a high proportion of organic matter and is usually very fertile.
Chalky soil is usually stony, free draining and will need the addition of fertilisers to boost its nutrient content. It has a high lime content which means it is alkaline and won’t support ericaceous plants that need acid soil conditions.
Loamy soils are the gardeners’ best friend, being a combination of roughly 40% sand, 40% silt and 20% clay. They have good structure, drain well yet retain moisture and are high in nutrients, making them ideal for cultivation.
Soil Improvers
There are various ways of improving your soil in preparation for planting:
Leaf mould, Composted Bark, Peat and Mushroom Compost are readily available to buy from the garden centre. A cheaper alternative is to make your own compost from kitchen and garden waste, but obviously this takes longer to produce.
Whichever you choose to use, the organic matter should be dug well into the soil – approximately half a wheelbarrow load per square metre. The addition of a good fertiliser such as blood, bone and fishmeal will also help cultivation.
To improve the soil of an established bed or border, gently loosen the soil round the plants with a fork and spread the compost and fertiliser over the soil before the growing season begins in early spring. This is known as mulching and will prove beneficial to established plants and shrubs.
View Decorative Bark here
Happy Gardening
