It’s dirt you should know to make a garden grow

This year, you are finally going to plant that garden you have always wanted. You know what kind of flowers you want to plant, but there is one little detail that needs to be addressed before starting. What kind of soil is in your yard?

Knowing the type of soil you have will help you determine the best way to take care of your garden. Let’s examine the types of soil.

Clay

One of the more prominent types of soil is clay. Clay soil is fine grained and smooth and silky to the touch. This type of soil takes longer to soak up and release water. A dense soil, clay tends to become like cement when aerated. Aeration is best in the fall, so the winter frost and wind can turn it into a workable condition in the spring. Applying lime regularly opens the clay up and prevents it from becoming sticky.

Sandy

Sandy soil is made up of small particles of silica and quartz and contains less than 10 percent clay. The color and texture is different depending on the amount of humus present. Because sand is a light, dry soil that heats up quickly, it is good for producing early crops. Even though it is easy to cultivate, it holds no moisture, and therefore it lacks nutrients needed by plants.

Loam

The most common type of soil found in most gardens is loam. Loam is a combination of clay and sand. The clay prevents the soil from rapidly drying out and helps it retain plant nutrients, while the sand keeps the soil open, allowing plant roots an easier time to move through it. In wet conditions, loam soil allows water to move through easier, preventing it from becoming waterlogged. In dry conditions, it does not become too hard for the roots to move through.

Chalky

Fine particles of chalk or limestone means the soil is chalky or calcareous. This type of soil has little in the way of plant nutrients, making it necessary to add as many nutrients as possible every year. Chalky soil becomes sticky when wet and hard to aerate. When dry, this type of soil does not require lime. Plants in chalky soil will have bright yellow leaves and stunted growth.

Peat

Usually found in low-lying areas, peat soil is made of marsh land that has been growing and decaying for thousands of years. This type of soil contains little lime, more than 20 percent humus, and because of the decaying vegetable matter, it is considered sour. An easy soil to waterlog, it may require draining by pipes. Brown peat is easier to work with than black, bog-like peat. When peat soil is worked and limed, it is considered very valuable.

The subsoil is located about 9 inches below the soil. Chances are the subsoil will have similar characteristics to the soil, but it may lack plant nutrients. When aerating, mix as much soil as possible with the subsoil. For gardening purposes, it is necessary to worry about the subsoil because it affects the drainage of the soil. A sandy subsoil will let water run off, whereas a clay subsoil will trap water. It is important to notice what the soil and subsoil are because one will affect the other.

Know the ‘Ph’ Level

Another important factor in garden soil is the “Ph” level. Ph is a measure of acid and alkaline in soil. Having the soil tested is not a necessity — many gardeners have never had theirs tested because of the old “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude. If you are having problems or are a beginning gardener, it is a good idea to get your soil tested.

Check with your local agriculture agency to see if they do testing or if they know of a place that does. There are also home testers available on the market today. Keep in mind that every plant has an ideal Ph range that they do well in and anything you do to your soil will affect the Ph level.

The right kind of soil can make all the difference in how well your garden will grow. You’re going to be putting a lot of time and money into the project, so it’s only natural that you want to know all you can and do everything right.