How to Improve Your Garden Soil

Improving Soil Fertility and Texture

We look at two qualities for good garden soil: fertility and texture. Fertility is a combination of essential nutrients and a soil pH level that makes these nutrients available to plants. Plants need nutrients to grow and using an amendment boosts your soil’s fertility by providing decomposing material that will feed your plants. Texture refers to the size of soil particles, soil cohesiveness, and the soil’s ability to transfer water and air. Proper soil texture is just as essential as fertility as it allows roots to take up moisture and air. Dense, clay-type soils can remain too moist, causing roots to drown, while sandy soils can drain too quickly for roots to absorb moisture.

Tip! An easy test for soil texture is to make a ball of damp garden soil. If it breaks apart easily when you tap it, you have sandy soil. If you can press it between your thumb and finger and make a ribbon, your soil has more clay.

The best way to improve soil texture is by adding organic material, such as compost or peat moss. The decaying organic matter helps sandy soil by retaining water that would otherwise drain away and it corrects clay soil by making it looser, so air, water, and roots all can penetrate. Adding organic matter to your soils also encourages beneficial microbial activity and provides slow release nutrients for happy and healthy plants.

Choosing Your Soil Amendment