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Do you like the company of plants more than humans? If yes, you have a thing for gardening. Gardeners have a unique relationship with the plants. They nurture them with care just like a parent nurtures his or her child. However, the process begins with nurturing the soil, preparing it for gardening.
It may be noted that the health of the garden depends on the health of the soil. Thus, the right composition is essential for fertile plant growth. The part of preparing the soil for gardening may not only be the most exciting, but is certainly the most important too.
Tips to Prepare Garden Soil for the Outdoor Home Area
Here is a list of a few tips that you can follow to prepare the soil for gardening:
Check the Nature of the Soil
Before you begin planting, first make sure you check the texture of the soil. Soil can be of different textures, while some are dense and heavy, others are loose like sand. As we know that soils are a mixture of mineral particles such as sand, clay, and silt, the basic composition will be the same. However, depending on the quantity they are present, they will have an impact on the fertility of the soil. There are broadly four types of soil: clay soil, sandy soil, silt, and loam.
If you feel that the quality of the soil is not appropriate for gardening, you can plan a raised garden. In this, you can add organic matter and create a well-balanced soil mix. If you do not have the required facilities for a raised garden, you can opt to grow those plants that are favorable for those particular types of soil. For instance, you can choose drought-tolerant plants for sandy soils.
Test the pH Value of the Soil
The pH value determines the nature of the soil and must be the first thing you should check. If your soil is too alkaline or acidic, it will not be appropriate for the growth of the plants. Most plants are tolerable to slightly acidic soils, which contain nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium as they dissolve in the environment.
You can choose a garden soil test kit to check the pH of the garden soil, or you can always seek professional help and get the garden soil tested through kits available at the local cooperative extension service office. The garden soil will be clinically tested, and you will have a better understanding of your garden soil.
Related: How to Plant a Vegetable Garden
Prepare the Soil With Organic Matter
You can improve the fertility of the garden soil with the help of items like composted yard waste, manure, or fallen leaves. Organic matter provides a rich supply of nutrients for healthy plant growth. You will not have to depend on fertilizers if you focus on the organic matter. Mulching is another technique that allows you to add organic matter to the soil without disturbing plant roots by simply spreading it over the surface and letting it decompose naturally.
These are a few tips you can follow to improve the quality of your garden soil.
