Planting seeds is one of the most exciting things about gardening. But before you start planting, you must first prepare the soil. Learn how to do so here!
Healthy soil is the foundation for healthy plants and a healthy environment. When garden soil is in good condition, there is less need for fertilizers or pesticides.
Organic soils are rich in humus, which is the end result of decaying matter such as leaves, grass clippings, and compost. Retains moisture but drains well. Good organic garden soil is loose and spongy, filled with the air needed by plant roots, and contains many essential minerals for plant growth. It has living organisms, from earthworms to fungi and bacteria, that help maintain soil quality. Proper pH is also an essential feature of healthy soil.
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how to prepare the land for sowing
You should also make sure that the soil has enough moisture. If the soil is too dry, then the seed will not germinate properly. On the other hand, if the soil is too wet, then the seedling will drown.
Adding organic matter in the form of compost and aged fertilizers, or using mulch or planting cover crops (green manure), is the best way to prepare the soil for planting. Adding fertilizer will only replenish certain nutrients and won’t help with crumbly, well-maintained soil. Organic matter will help provide everything the plant needs.
The inevitable compost
You should also mix in some compost when you prepare the potting soil. This will add nutrients to the soil and make it easier for plants to absorb them.
Adding compost can improve almost any soil. The texture of the silt and clay, not to mention their nutrient levels, is radically improved compared to the original compost mix. Apply once a year and all soils will improve. Compost can be purchased by the bag or from the garden, or it can be made at home.
Compost and other organic materials hold soil particles together and help retain moisture. They also absorb and store nutrients that plants can use, and the compost is a food source for beneficial microbes.
Making your own compost is as simple as piling up brown layers (straw, leaves) and green layers (grass clippings, cattle manure, food waste). Keep the stack moist and turn it over frequently.
Graphic example of the home composting process.
Make ground cover (mulch)
Organic matter (straw, hay, grass clippings, bark silk) covers the soil and protects it from extreme heat and cold. Mulch reduces evaporative water loss and stops weed growth. They break down slowly, enriching the soil with organic matter.
Inorganic mulch (pebbles, gravel, black plastic, landscape cloth) will prevent rapid evaporation and keep weeds down just like organic mulch. Unlike organic mulch, it does not need to be replaced every year and does not attract insects or rodents. However, inorganic mulch does not benefit the soil by breaking down and adding organic matter to improve soil structure and nutrient content. If you want to improve the soil structure, use a clean, seedless, high-quality garden mulch.
Improve the soil if it is hard and dry
You should also make sure that your garden has good drainage. This means that there are no puddles of standing water in your yard. Waterlogged soil can lead to root rot, which can kill your plants.
What if what I want is to make potting soil?
Potting soil is made up of three main ingredients: sand, peat moss, and compost. Sand is used as a filler because it helps keep the soil loose and allows water to drain away easily. Peat moss is added to help retain moisture. And compost is added to give nutrients to the soil.