Gardening?

Question

What characteristics should soil have in order to have a blooming garden?

Answer 1

If you live in America, you can have the soil tested at the County Extension Agent. it will cost about ten dollars. then you will KNOW the acidity of the soil and can amend it with the stuff that they suggest. Different flowers/veggies use different amendments.

I am organic, so I do not use store bought fertilizer, but make my own compost each year with clippings and weeds and kitchen scraps (minus meat stuff)

Compost and lots of organic matter is good in the soil, but that takes a couple of years to build up. this year I got worms the size of small snakes in my leafy mess on the top of the flower garden. (I put the leaves down in October and they have half rotted. Worms LOVE it)

Answer 2

It shouldn't be lumpy or clumpy (a lot of clay). The soil should kind of fall through your fingers once it's worked up/tilled. It's always good to add some amendments like peat moss if you are just starting your garden to loosen the soil. The most important thing for most flowers to bloom is a great deal of sunshine. I have a few gardens under trees that get enough sun, but the roots of the trees seem to suck all the nutrients and moisture from the soil. Look into some organic fertilizer like cotton seed meal. You put down a few handfuls twice a year. Mulch is important to keep the weeds down. If you have compost, use that as an amendment to your garden as well. Make sure your garden isn't too far from a water source in case you have to water.

Answer 3

You can purchase a soil test kit for around $5 at any home and garden shop. You will want to know the PH, and the nitrogen, phosphorus and potash levels before you add anything to the garden.

Each species of plant, whether flowering, vegetable, herb etc has a preferred soil climate. You should be able to find the info on the internet concerning these levels for each plant you're growing and you can fertilize accordingly :)

Answer 4

Most important is adequate moisture and exposure to sunlight, then nutrients which can be added via fertilizer. You can also check the pH level, and nitrogen level, which can vary between regions. The soil should not be too compacted so the plants have room to grow roots. You could also remove rocks, weeds and gravel from your soil to improve its quality, too.