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This past February, I had purchased my very first plant, a potted arrangement of succulents from a conference we had attended with my fiancé. I have the opposite of what most would call a green thumb. Most plants that I tried to grow would die within the month. Determined to cultivate something, I did what any budding gardener would do, I researched everything that I could learn about gardening
[say hi my beautiful succulent on a windowsill!]
The first two entries into the Gardening 101 series focused on the start of the plant growth cycle and the various climate and temperature zones around the world. While having all this information is important, there is still one more crucial factor to account for, the soil.
[img source: https://pikeconservation.org/soil-profile/]
I thought that all soil is the same. That I could just take any seed, put it into the ground and with enough water, sunlight and nutrients, it would sprout and grow into a healthy plant. In practice it is the opposite. Due to different distributions of clay, organic matter, and larger particles in the soil, composition can vary not only,region to region, but square foot to square foot.
[img source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulhewsonrm/7365638110]
Usually, each type of material would fall into different layers, or strata, that create a unique cross section. While soil is comprised of many layers, the ones that concern gardening are the topsoil and subsoil. Topsoil acts as the habitat for many organisms that are beneficial to the overall health of the soil in general. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria and earthworms are commonly found in the topsoil. Subsoil, while not as biologically active, can help to provide a strong support system and oxygen for the root system.
[img source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/geo/chapter/reading-soil-horizons-and-profiles/]
While the cross-section of soil would be unique to each location, there are distinct characteristics that allow us to put them into six groups. Clay soil would retain water and have scant amounts of oxygen but will be nutrient rich and relatively cool. Sandy soil dries and heats quickly but requires additional fertilizers. Silty soil is rich in nutrients and holds moisture well but requires added materials to improve drainage and structure. Peaty soil is typically on the acidic side with fewer nutrients but will heat up quickly and retain water well. Chalky soils are typically stonier and alkaline, can cause some growth issues for most plants but drains very well. Loamy soil is ideal for most plants; being able to hold and drain moisture well,are nutrient rich, and is a little acidic.
[img source: https://diygabl.tumblr.com/post/168783479472/the-six-soil-types-suitable-gardening-soil]
So, how can you determine what kind of soil you have? Aside from hiring a professional to evaluate your property and provide you with an assessment, there are some tests that you can do at home. Most of the tests are as simple as pouring water into a soil sample or compacting a handful of it and observing the results. There are also acid test kits and soil test kits that tests pH levels and the primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) found in the sample.
[img source: http://www.leevalley.com/us/Garden/page.aspx?cat=2,42578&p=65366]
As mentioned before, each group of soil is not perfect for growing every type of plant, but there are some advantages to knowing the type of soil that you are working with. Knowing the acidity can inform the choices on variety of plants you may decide to grow. Certain plants, like camellias and rhododendrons grow best in acidic soil, while lilacs and cabbages grow better in more basic soil. If you need to change the acidity, you could add things like lime (the mineral, not the fruit), and aluminum sulfate.
[img source: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/nov/24/wood-ash-adds-ph-amends-garden-soil-201/]
If the soil is lacking in the essential nutrients, mulch and other organic matter, like compost, could provide a source of nutrients that can be distributed as needed into the soil as well as provide certain environmental protections. It is also recommended that the soil be manually aerated to improve soil drainage and allow oxygen can reach the root system of the plant.
[img source: https://mantis.com/product/lawn-aerator-attachment-standard-tiller-models/]
Soil can make or break your garden. All plants have specific soil conditions that they flourish in, and knowing this could improve your chances of success. If the soil retains more water than the plant can handle, it could cause root rot or drowning; if the soil is too acidic, it could stunt the plants growth and cause yellowing in its leaves. Knowing the properties of your soil and how to amend the issues will ensure that your gardening experience is fruitful.
[img source: https://spain-info.co.uk/gardening/avocado-tree/]
This is my first time trying to grow and maintain a plant. If any of the readers have their own tips, tricks, or life hacks to help their little seeds grow, or have a story about their most rewarding gardening experiences, I would love to see them in the comments below. Hopefully we can all grow from these stories and experiences!
[img source: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/yes-roundabout-to-be-continued]
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