Gardening: The Best Methods to Improve

Soil Quality

Whilst everyone loves a well-tended garden, not every lot has the right

soil quality to help plants thrive. For this reason, gardeners have to do

some work to improve the quality of their soil and make their gardens

sustainable for plant growth.

The following summarises all the work needed to improve soil quality:

The case with clay

Autumn is the perfect time to dig this

type of soil whilst it is still dry and

workable. In spring and winter, the soil is

too wet to work with, while it becomes

too dry and hard in the summer.

Clay-rich soil is naturally heavy, but

despite its weight, it can be quite

sensitive. As much as possible, clay must

not be walked on. Some gardeners also tend to overwork clay soil, which is why

the best method is to just plough big lumps of the soil and let the winter frost

break it apart.

Mulch helps clay stay moist and healthy, while sand worsens the condition. Raised

beds result in better drainage and soil health.

The situation with silt

Where many gardeners go wrong is with

silt, as this type of soil runs the risk of

compaction. Annual digging alongside

putting organic matter is essential to

improve its structure. Gardening experts

recommend putting a layer of organic

matter around 5-10 cm over the soil

surface during the spring or the autumn.

Similar with clay, walking on silt is

potentially damaging, especially when the ground is wet.

The scenario with sand

Light sandy soil has particles that do not

bind together. To counter this, it is

necessary to put organic matter. In

effect, not only does the soil hold up

well, it also enjoys better nutrient and

water retention. Mulch around plants

and thick layers of organic matter also

help. The best time to do all this work is

in the autumn.

Put simply, the best way to improve soil quality is to stuff it with a lot of

organic matter. But to ensure the best soil quality possible,

understanding the soil type and knowing how to nurture it is the way to

go.

Resources:

http://www.longacres.co.uk/

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=620

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/htbg/module4/improving_your_soil1.shtml