Soil Improvement Tips and Techniques
Soil Improvement techniques vary on what you are trying to accomplish. If you have very sandy soil, you are trying to have it retain moisture and become less porous. On the other hand, heavy clay soils need to become lighter and more porous. Determining your goal is the first step in a Soil Improvement program.
A simple soil test is a great inexpensive and simple starting place. You can do this anytime a year. Your local college, university, or extension office can provide this service a no or very little cost. There are most expensive tests available, but for basic soil improvement for a garden or lawn they are unnecessary.
Your test results will give you current levels of organic, inorganic, and nutrients currently in the soil. This information will become your blueprint to soil improvement. Many test results will also include a plan for you to follow to improve your soil. Their recommendations will vary depending on your starting point.
Soil Improvement - Heavy Clay Soils – The worst thing you can do to improve a heavy clay soil is to add sand. This does not work, it actually can make things worse by making the soil more like cement. Lawn area can benefit the most by core aerating twice a year. This will allow water, oxygen and nutrients to penetrate the surface. A top dressing of humus or compost also will help. Gypsum is also not the answer unless you have a soil very high in sodium (very rare). Your garden can benefit the most adding a few inches of organic material to the top six inches of soil. This will allow for good drainage a good air flow. Believe it or not, but most plants only need six inches of good soil to thrive.
Soil Improvement - Sandy Soils – The problems with sandy or silty soils are the complete opposite, but one solution is the same. Tilling in a few inches of organic material to the existing soil about six inches deep. The organic material will prevent water and nutrients to just run through the soil. This means less watering and less fertilizer. This simple soil improvement benefits both your wallet and the environment, no to mention your lawn or garden. A second option is to add clay. This option needs careful consideration due to the impact on the soil pH. This is another reason a soil test is important.
With a little help and organic material you can easily improve your current soil. The key to soil improvement is patience and moderation. This is a process that will not occur overnight.