Building Garden Soil

There are many approaches to building soil.  You can either start from scratch, or you can ammend your existing soil.  In the spirit of keeping it 'simple', I am going to talk about two approaches: sheet composting and soil for raised beds. 

Remember, GOOD SOIL is an invesment, the most important investment you can make.  Soil gets better with time, so remember 1) don't step on your soil 2) compost, make it and add it 3) test it to see if you need any additional ammendments (here is a link to soil testing laboratories throughout the US - http://www.organicgardening.com/soiltest/1,7775,s1-2-7-0,00.html)

Sheet Composting- an approach where compost ingredients are placed in layers, rather than in mounds or containers.  The Lasagna gardening technique follows these principles.

1. Choose your area and lay down decomposable layer

Follow the rules for Determining where you can grow a food garden (http://123foodgardening.blogspot.com/2009/11/determining-where-you-can-have-food.html) .  Once you find a spot, cover the ground with either a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard.  If I don't have enough newspaper I go to my local recycling center and take some from their bins.

2.  Start layering materials

Alternate layers of peat moss (available in bales at Home Depot, Southern States etc.), with leaves, straw, grass clippings, basically any organic materials you have in your yard.  Example layers go like this: peat moss, compost, leaves, peat moss, grass clippings, wood ashes, peat moss, leaves etc.  For your top layer use a thin layer of compost.  NOTE: peat moss is finicky stuff.  Make sure you soak it will water prior to layering or else it will go airborne on you.

3. Plant your seeds or plants

If using plants, make a hole by pulling back some of the layers, put in your plant, pull materials around plant, and water thoroughly. 

If planting seeds, soak top layers, and depending the type of seed, make a small indent with your hand (read the instructions on the seed packet), place seeds in indent, and sprinkle loose soil over seeds to cover them.

Building soil for raised beds- an approach where you create soil 'from scratch' using three core ingredients.  This is the approach the Square Foot Gardening technique utilizes:

1.  Mix up your ingredients

Make a mix of 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 vermiculite. Compost= nutrients, peat moss and vermiculite = consistency and moisture retention.

2. Fill your Frame/Plant seeds or plants
Whatever frame you are using, make sure to put down weed barrier or thick cardboard to control weed growth. Make sure the mixture is soaked.

3. Keep adding Organic Materials
Throughout growing season use organic fertilizers such as kelp or fish meal. Each new season supplement with new compost.