| Soil Amendments and Critter Fencing |
| How to improve the soil by adding nutrients, and how to build a simple fence. |
From "Fresh from the Garden"
episode DFFG-301 |
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Joe Lamp'l is ready to add lime to make the garden soil less acidic. Then he adds pelletized fertilizer and a truckload of composted manure and soil helper to make the soil less clay, to improve drainage and to increase fertility. He also adds worm castings for an extra dose of nutrients. He tills all the amendments in until the soil is loose and aerated. Once the soil is ready, he attaches a metal critter fence along the base of the garden fence to keep animals from coming underneath to eat the vegetables.
1. When you get the soil-test results back, you may find that the soil is a little acidic. You can add lime using a broadcast spreader (figure A). This gets the lime spread evenly and at the right amount per foot (figure B). Your extension service will tell you how much lime you need to bring your soil into the 6.0 range. Vegetables grow best between a pH of 5.8 and 6.5.
2. You have several choices when it comes to adding amendments to your garden beds (figure C). There are two ways to buy amendments: in bags or in bulk. Some things that you need in small quantities, such as pelletized fertilizer, can be bought by the bag; others, such as compost or soil conditioners, should be bought in bulk (figure D).
3. Most garden centers sell a gardener's blend of composted manure, hardwood chips and humus, a well composted blend of plants and leaves (figure E). Called soil conditioner, it has many of the elements garden soil needs. You can order it by the truckload and have it dumped out near your garden, then carry it in with a wheelbarrow as you need it. This type of mixture has a lot to offer: The small chunks are recycled hardwood chips, and they'll provide structure and air pockets in the soil. The dark dirt around it is composted manure and humus; it will release a slow and steady supply of nutrients into the ground as it continues to break down. Because it's all composted, you don't have to worry about weed seeds and disease. 4. Spread the soil conditioner over the top of your garden beds; then use a metal tined rake to even it out (figure F). It doesn't have to be perfect because you'll need to till it in for best results.
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