Getting the Soil Ready
Improve the Drainage
Poor drainage is a plant
killer. Stagnant water around the roots starves them of air. Helpful
bacteria are slowed down and harmful bacteria flourish.
The natural water level
(water table) will determine whether the drainage is good or is not.
If the water table is low an occasional watering is usually all that
is needed. However if it is high the soil will become waterlogged
and plants will eventually die.
To determine the soil's
ability to drain, dig a few holes 500mm deep at different places in
the garden. Fill them with water and leave for two days.
If after this time the
water has not drained away, the drainage will need to be improved.
Dig the soil well and add a good quantity of grit. In particularly
bad draining areas double digging may be required.
If you are unable to dig
over the area you can always grow moisture loving plants. Improve
your soil by Digging.
Digging breaks up
compacted layers in the soil helping drainage and aeration. You can
also take the opportunity to incorporate organic matter. The
important thing is to do it at the right time, when the soil is not
too wet or too dry. Simple Digging.
• This is the basic form
of digging
• Use a spade and push it
into the soil to the full depth of its blade
• Lever back and turn it
onto the same area
• Chop up large clods and
remove perennial weed roots by hand
• Good for most soils and
for removing perennial weeds
Single Digging
• Create a trench with
the soil placed to one side
• Add a layer of
well-rotted organic matter to the bottom of the trench
• The next trench can be
dug, turned and thrown forward on top of the organic matter in the
first trench
• Repeat until the entire
plot has been cultivated, filling the last trench with the soil from
the first
• Good for poor soils and
for removing perennial weeds
Double Digging
• Create a trench with
the soil placed to one side
• Use a garden fork to
the full depth of its prongs in the bottom of the trench to loosen
the subsoil and break up any compaction
• Add a layer of
well-rotted organic matter to the bottom of the trench
• The next trench can be
dug, turned and thrown forward on top of the organic matter in the
first trench
• Repeat until the entire
plot has been cultivated, filling the last trench with the soil from
the first
• Good for poorly drained
soils and deep-rooting crops
Mulching is always good
for soil; so what is mulch?
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