Natural Ways to Enrich Your Soil

October 3, 2014

Once the season ends in your garden, expect to find soil that is dried up, used up and empty of nutrients. Once the following season comes along, replace the soil with nutrients that create healthy plants. Enrich the soil at the most convenient time for the plants, which is usually after winter or summer ends. Very dry or cold weather is guaranteed to reduce the nutrient levels. Look for several natural ways to enrich your soil.

Till

Till the soil to a depth that reaches at least a foot. Loosening the soil makes it easier to add nutrients. Tilling is the first step of the gardening process, but make sure that the soil is ready. Do not work on soil that is too clumpy or sticky; instead, work on soil that crumbles easily in the hand.

Test Soil

Test the soil to know what is required to improve it. Analyze a few samples from various sections of the garden. Buy a testing kit that contains all of the tools and chemicals needed. Know the soil health and condition before you work on it.

Add Lime

If the soil test includes a low pH, there may be too little lime. Before you buy a lime product, know the correct amounts to use. As you till, sprinkle in the right amount of lime that is designed to reduce acidic levels. Make sure that the lime is thoroughly incorporated into the deep soil.

Use Compost

Get compost from a local store or farmer. If you cannot find either source, consider making your own or use manure from animals. Pour a thick layer of compost on the top layer and till it deep into the soil.

Composting is a good way to promote certain good qualities, such as
• Recycling
• Reusing
• Healthy soil
• Healthy environment

With healthy soil, there are fewer incidences of pests and diseases. There are nutrients there that do not require you to spray on pesticides. As a result, the whole environment remains healthy and benefits from your gardening skills.

Water Soil

The most important step is to water the soil daily or weekly. The nutrients do not work in soil that is too dry. The easiest way for most gardeners is to use the sprinkler system. You can set the automatic controls to water whenever you want.

Also, there are ways to increase the water retention rate of soil. First, create a drainage system that allows water to seep through easily. At the same time, make it easy for water to stay in the soil. Some plants grow better in moist areas. It is important to strike a good balance between retention and drainage.

Not all soil is created equal. Some soil is too dry, other soil is too thick. Sometimes, there is too much clay or too many acids in the soil. It is important to get soil working at optimal levels. This means you must find natural ways to enrich it whenever necessary. There are plenty of solutions available for gardeners who want the most natural and efficient results.