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Learn 7 easy methods to improve the fertility of garden soil naturally
Soil fertility is an essential factor to consider when gardening. Fertile soil will produce healthy plants, flowers, and vegetables. Although organic fertilizers have many benefits, you can improve soil fertility naturally as well. There are several ways to improve the fertility of your garden soil. Here are the top seven ways to improve garden soil.
Add Compost
- Adding compost is one of the best ways to improve garden soil and enhance fertility. By adding compost to your garden, you provide your plants with essential nutrients, improve your soil structure, and increase the water-holding capacity of your soil. Compost also helps to suppress plant diseases and pests, and it increases the rate at which your soil warms up in the springtime.
Compost is decomposed organic matter that enables the soil to maintain a neutral pH level and protects your vegetation from many garden diseases.
Conduct A Soil Test
- A soil test is the best way to determine the fertility of your garden soil and what, if any, amendments are needed. Soil amendments can include compost, manure, or fertilizers.
The best time to conduct a soil test is in the late fall or early winter before planting begins. This will give you enough time to make any necessary amendments before planting in the spring. You can also test your soil throughout the gardening season to see if additional modifications are needed.
Mulch The Soil
- One way to improve the fertility of your garden is by mulching the soil. Mulching is the process of adding a layer of material to the soil’s surface to protect it from erosion, improve moisture retention, and enhance the fertility of the soil. You can use various materials for mulching, including compost, bark chips, straw, or leaves.
Prevent Compaction
- Soil compaction occurs when the soil particles are pressed together tightly, reducing the air spaces in the soil. This makes it more difficult for water and roots to move through the soil and can lead to a decrease in plant growth. Soil compaction can be prevented by using organic matter, such as compost, to improve the soil structure.
Clay soil compacts a lot quicker and requires a fair bit of organic matter to keep the natural balance in the soil’s structure.
Rotate Plants
- When you rotate your plants, you are improving the fertility of your garden soil. By rotating your crops, you allow each type of crop to feed off different nutrients in the soil. This also helps prevent any kind of crop from depleting the soil of any particular nutrient.
Produce Cover Crops
- Cover crops are a vital part of any garden and help strengthen the structure and health of the soil. They can be produced at any time of the year and come in various shapes and sizes. If you want to improve the fertility of your garden soil, be sure to plant some cover crops this season.
Add Animal Manure
- Adding aged animal manure is one of the easiest ways to improve garden soil fertility. The manure will help add nutrients and organic matter to the soil, which will help improve the overall health of your plants. Use balanced manure, such as cow manure, rather than poultry manure, which is high in nitrogen and can be harmful to plants in large quantities.
At American Tree Experts, Inc. we offer the best services to keep your plants out of harm’s way. Our Nutrient Management for Gardens service makes sure that your garden soil is always nutritional and ready to support growing plants. Our most sought out services are pruning, bracing, pest management, and nutritional management. We offer services in Montclair, New Jersey. Call us at 973-744-6091 for a free quote.