Garden Soil

[Readymom]

This is a 2-part series:

Part 1:

The Dirt on Dirt
https://thegrownetwork.com/organic-matter/

In this kickoff post, I will tell you the #1 tool in my Organic Growers’ Tool Kit. But first, I want to dish the dirt on dirt, explain what living soil is, and offer an alternative way of thinking about soil so you’ll understand why this particular tool ranks #1.

If you’ve heard of hydroponics, then you know that vegetables don’t even require soil to grow. They need a supply of nutrients and some kind of planting medium that allows plants to set roots. They also need water and the right growing conditions (e.g., temperature, light, etc.). ---CONTINUED---

Part 2:

“Clay, Sand, Silt, or Loam? Discover Your Garden’s Soil Texture In 5 Easy Steps”
https://thegrownetwork.com/discover-soil-texture-type/

(SNIP) ... In this post, we’re going to dig deeper into our soil to determine soil texture type. Then, more importantly, we’ll touch on some ways to use that information to improve soil and successfully grow food at home. Let’s get started. ---CONTINUED---

[Readymom]

GARDENING CHANNEL

How to Improve Your Garden Soil
https://www.gardeningchannel.com/how-to-improve-garden-soil/?utm_sq=fwklvibpkc&fbclid=IwAR2gYAoUwtRsrBy4i7QRoABjDbXCQkkGo5bXsMj5teX3CICOkIiNLUosqNA

Consistent, nutrient-rich soil is every gardener’s dream. Too often we are stuck with what we have—or are we? If you find your soil is too sandy, rocky, mottled, discolored, or has too much clay, you can take steps to improve the quality of your vegetable garden soil so that your crops will produce better yields over the years.

The first step is to figure out ... ---CONTINUED---

[Readymom]

Soil Health – Building Sustainable Gardens
https://www.backdoorsurvival.com/soil-health-building-sustainable-gardens/

(SNIP) ... This article begins a conversation about sustainable gardening and the business side of growing your own food. Specifically, we talk about soil health and how that relates to sustainable gardening. ---CONTINUED---

[Readymom]

DIY – Mason Jar Soil Test
https://www.askaprepper.com/diy-mason-jar-soil-test/

Have you ever wondered what the structure of your garden soil is? It would help when making decisions on what and where you might plant, as well as amending the structure of your soil.

This test is so easy that I recommend doing it each year before creating a garden plan. The results of the test could determine how much fertilizer you use or what changes you should make to the soil depending on what you plan to grow in your garden. ---CONTINUED---

[Readymom]

MORE on the Mason Jar soil tests:



Mason Jar Soil Test
https://preparednessmama.com/jar-soil-test/

Every year in the spring I do a mason jar soil test to see the soil structure in my garden. It helps me decide if I need to make any amendments to the soil. This is a simple and easy test to take if you are creating a new garden area, you’ve recently moved, or you want to do a cool experiment with your kids. ---CONTINUED---