HEALTHY soil is like a big, living sponge that actually supports us all. Your aim should always be to improve that medium we owe so much to.
How many times have you planted something – say, in a pot – and months later, noticed the soil level has reduced so much that the plant looks like it’s popping out of the soil? It’s not actually coming out, but we often don’t think to add more soil to the mix.
Those above-ground or on-ground garden beds we purchase from the local store to help us grow our plants are especially prone to losing volume over time.
But do we add a bag or two to top them up? No! We allow the soil to dwindle down, sometimes even waiting until after we’ve harvested a crop to refill it.
But just imagine how much sooner that crop could be ready if you had simply added a bag or two – maybe even of a different mix.
You may have started off with a potting mix –and that’s fine – but due to the cost these days, you might top it off with a bag of ordinary soil.
Well, soils are soils, right? Wrong!
By adding a bag or two of a mixture of organic fertilisers – cow manure, horse manure, chicken or mushroom compost, or any of the blends available – you’ll see a dramatic improvement in your plantings.
Some might say that horse manure brings a stack of weeds with it. True – but these weeds can be pulled when they’re about 6cm high.
Others might say that horse or cow manure can be dry and lumpy, making it hard to break down. A simple fix: use a strong jet of water directed at the clumps.
There are also those who say mushroom compost is too rich or too dry for the garden. If you’re putting in a new bed, try using mushroom compost from a landscaping supplier instead of the dry, bagged variety from the store.
The landscaper’s version tends to be much more moist – great for starting a garden. Just don’t plant straight into it.
Let it sit for a week or so first, as it might be a bit too strong initially.
As your soil settles and reduces in volume, continue adding different manures and composts to the mix. Be sure to dig them in thoroughly to combine the contents well. And don’t forget to add mulch!
Your plants will love the variety, and you’ll enjoy a better, healthier crop.
Till next time!
