THE DIRT CHEAP GARDENER
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Soil Composition
Soil Composition
A good soil mixture is an essential foundation for a healthy garden. Vegetables need a home of rich soil to grow and thrive. They need fairly large amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. A ratio of ingredients that will provide these nutrients is:
50% soil
25% rotted manure
25% compost
Organic activity is important to the health of your soil. One cubic centimeter of soil can contain more than one million bacteria. Earthworms and other insects mix and aerate the soil, which increases the movement of air and water from the soil surface down to the roots--which promotes healthier plants.
Earthworms and insects also produce most of the hummus in the soil through their digestion process.
The best soil composition for the garden is loamy--loose, and well-drained (deeper down as well as on the surface)--a fertile mix of sand, clay and organic matter such as composted leaves, manure, sawdust, peat, or bark.
The solution for both clay and sandy soils is actually the same: add organic matter. Adding organic matter to clay soils will loosen it up and improve drainage. For sandy soils organic matter will improve its fertility and its ability to hold water.
Be careful when adding manure to your garden. Using too much manure can increase the soil's salt content so that it becomes toxic to the plants, curbing their growth.
Soil also needs additional fertilizer to create optimal conditions for growth. Plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients to maintain their health and stimulate growth.
Other products to consider to boost the fertility of the soil:
Worm Castings
Fish Compost
Sea Soil
Vermiculite
Lime
