|
If you have a garden that is in need of some TLC, then this article is for you! We will discuss when to replace the soil in your garden and how often it should be done. If your plants are not growing as well as they should be. If weeds are starting to take over your lawn, then chances are good that the soil might need replacing. This can be done on an annual basis or every few years depending on what type of plants you grow and how much time you spend taking care of them.  What is the best time of year to replace your garden's soil? It is best to get started with this project in the early spring, especially if you have had a number of issues with weed growth during the previous summer. It is also advisable to get started with this project on your garden beds at least one month before planting new plants or seeds so that they can take root and become strong. When choosing soil for your garden bed, make sure that it has plenty of nutrients and does not contain any chemical preservatives such as pesticides or fertilizers. These chemicals will kill off the beneficial bacteria and microorganisms in the soil which are needed for successful plant growth. How much work is involved? At first glance you might be thinking "Gee, I don't want to go through all that work of digging up my whole garden," but don't worry! All you have to do is dig a trench around the outer edges of your garden beds. You can then use a spade or shovel to remove approximately three inches of the topsoil from these areas. Then put it into a wheelbarrow for disposal on another part of your property. In order to aid in this process, you should add some organic materials such as composted manure, peat moss or grass clippings so that all new soil will be nice and loamy. According to progardenman when putting in the replacement soil, make sure that it is thoroughly mixed with the existing soil using a rototiller until it forms a uniform consistency throughout the entire bed area. This might take a few passes with the rototiller, but it will be worth it in the end when your plants start to grow and flourish. Once this is done you can add any type of organic materials that you have, such as composted leaves or grass clippings. These items will help in preventing weeds from growing again so that they do not need to be replaced for a number of years. As a warning, do not use soil from another area of the yard because it may contain chemical weed killers or fertilizers which could kill off all your new plants before they really get started! How often should I replace my garden's soil? The kind of plants that you grow and how much time you spend on maintaining them will also determine how often you need to replace the soil in your garden. This is because these factors will determine how much nutrient-rich soil is needed to keep them thriving. As a general rule, you should check out your plants at least once a month and make sure that their root systems are healthy and strong. If you notice that they are not growing as quickly as they should for this time of year or if there are some yellowish leaves sticking out from the ground then it might be a good idea to do a soil replacement with them right away! Don't forget that vegetables require more nutrients than flowers so you will have to check on them more frequently, but also remember to only remove the top three inches from them so as not to damage any of the plant's roots. As a final tip, if you have a large garden then you might want to consider participating in some type of composting program so that your organic waste material will be converted into beautiful fresh loamy soil for your plants!  Conclusion
The best way to know if your soil is getting old or not, is by testing the pH levels. If you are having a hard time figuring out how to test for this, ask us! We have experts available 24 hours a day that can help answer any questions you might have about gardening. There are multiple ways to maintain healthy soil in your garden, so don't be afraid of trying something new! You'll never regret it when your plants thrive and grow bigger than ever before.
0 Comments
|
