{"id":3892,"date":"2022-01-08T20:00:46","date_gmt":"2022-01-08T20:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/?page_id=3892"},"modified":"2023-09-10T15:17:13","modified_gmt":"2023-09-10T15:17:13","slug":"garden-soil","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/atoz\/soil.htm","title":{"rendered":"Atoz Garden Soil"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"3892\" class=\"elementor elementor-3892\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-23801d02 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"23801d02\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5dfc3f76 elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"5dfc3f76\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;,&quot;animation_delay&quot;:200}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e8f171 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"8e8f171\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\"><!--\r\n    e9 = new Object();\r\n    e9.size = \"728x90\";\r\n\/\/--><\/script>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/tags.expo9.exponential.com\/tags\/gardenersnet\/ros\/tags.js\"><\/script>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c6848ee elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c6848ee\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c2aeea0 elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"c2aeea0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;,&quot;animation_delay&quot;:200}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b370f3e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b370f3e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.10.0 - 09-01-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Healthy Garden Soil<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fb24fd5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fb24fd5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a5f35fc\" data-id=\"a5f35fc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad9033e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ad9033e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.10.0 - 09-01-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/hilling-vegetables.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3056\" alt=\"Hilling Plants\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/hilling-vegetables.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/hilling-vegetables-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-456d237 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"456d237\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-136d906\" data-id=\"136d906\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f5ca5b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8f5ca5b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Your Garden Soil and You<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9f1e4c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f9f1e4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.10.0 - 09-01-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Rich and healthy garden soil is absolutely essential to your plant&#8217;s health. If you grow fruits and vegetables, your soil&#8217;s health can have an impact on your health too! There are chemicals and micro-nutrients present in all types of soils, which are essential for healthy plant growth. Some chemicals are bad and can harm your plants or stunt their growth, too. What is in your garden soil, can get ingested by your plants. Humans are one step up the food chain. What your plants ingest gets into your system and your family too!<\/p><p align=\"Left\">Learning about your soil, and how to improve it, will make you a much better gardener, and keep you and your family healthy. You&#8217;ll be pleased with your plant&#8217;s appearance and performance as you improve the quality of your garden soil.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3454730 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3454730\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fff2fb0\" data-id=\"fff2fb0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f5933a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1f5933a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Types of Garden Soil<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3cfaa9b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3cfaa9b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-285e621\" data-id=\"285e621\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-607788e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"607788e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p align=\"Left\">There are several types of soil. Some plants prefer one type over another.<b><\/b><\/p><p align=\"Left\"><b>Sand &#8211;<\/b> This is grainy soil, which holds little or no compost or humus. It drains very well and holds little water. It lacks in minerals and micro-nutrients needed by plants. The roots of plants can easily grow and expand through the sand. We all know that Cactus grows in sandy soil. But, did you know that peanuts prefer sandy soil, too?<\/p><p align=\"Left\"><b>Clay &#8211;<\/b> This is the second most common type of soil. It is largely the opposite of sand. It retains water and does not drain well. Heavy clay soils can act as a pot, holding water for days, if not weeks. Water ever so slowly seeps through it. Roots can drown, as there is no air in the soil. Roots have a hard time pushing through it and tend to ball up.<\/p><p align=\"Left\"><b>Loam &#8211;<\/b> This is soil contains a mixture of clay, silt, and sand, as well as some organic matter. It retains water well, yet is loose and contains plenty of air pockets for roots to breathe. Best of all, it is rich in minerals and nutrients vital to your plant&#8217;s growth and development.<\/p><p align=\"Left\"><b>Humus &#8211;<\/b>\u00a0Soil containing a rich mixture of decomposed plant or animal matter. It is rich in minerals and nutrients vital to your plants&#8217; growth and development.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8242490 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8242490\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0b782a8\" data-id=\"0b782a8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7552f9f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7552f9f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/garden-tools-on-soil-2021-08-26-16-26-10-utc-768x580.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-479\" alt=\"Garden Tools on Soil\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/garden-tools-on-soil-2021-08-26-16-26-10-utc-768x580.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/garden-tools-on-soil-2021-08-26-16-26-10-utc-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/garden-tools-on-soil-2021-08-26-16-26-10-utc-1024x773.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/garden-tools-on-soil-2021-08-26-16-26-10-utc-600x453.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/garden-tools-on-soil-2021-08-26-16-26-10-utc.jpg 1060w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-46359c9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"46359c9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c6bda03\" data-id=\"c6bda03\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d22ed3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1d22ed3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Manure is a Great Soil Amendment<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9cdd8f4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9cdd8f4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4969f24\" data-id=\"4969f24\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f8b293 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f8b293\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p align=\"Left\">Manure is animal excrement. It is usually mixed with straw or sawdust that is laid down in the animal&#8217;s stall, cage, or pen. Everyone agrees that well-composted manure is the absolute best amendment for improving your garden soil. But what kind of manure is best? Most people obtain whatever manure is available in their area. The most commonly available manures are cow and horse manure. There are also others such as chicken, duck, geese, rabbit, and even pig.<\/p><p align=\"Left\"><b>Question:\u00a0<\/b>Is anyone out on there using Bat Guano? Some people say that Bat Guano is the absolute best of manures. Personally, I think my daughter&#8217;s hamster produces the best manure. Now if I can only get that little hamster to produce more&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;.<\/p><p align=\"Left\">Unless you are well-read on this topic, I&#8217;d suggest sticking with the horse and cow manure, even though any kind of decomposed manure is better than no manure. Of these two options, cow manure is better in the sense that the cow processes its food far more efficiently. Horse manure contains many small seeds that have passed through the horses&#8217; system unprocessed. Surrounded by all the rich compost, those weed seeds will thrive in your garden. To minimize this, try to obtain an adequate amount well in advance. Pile it high in your garden and let it cook(compost) over the winter or for a few weeks before use.<\/p><p align=\"Left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/atoz\/manure.htm\">More on Manures<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d258f2f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d258f2f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-099b9da\" data-id=\"099b9da\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc97c0e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bc97c0e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/compost-pile.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15449\" alt=\"Organic Compost Pile\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/compost-pile.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/compost-pile-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-09cd7ec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"09cd7ec\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cd301c2\" data-id=\"cd301c2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85c2468 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"85c2468\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Compost Improves Garden Soil<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-664ffd2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"664ffd2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-eb539c3\" data-id=\"eb539c3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec9f12c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ec9f12c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p align=\"Left\">Compost is one of the best friends a gardener can have. Just about all vegetation (trees, flowers, fruits, vegetables, shrubs, \u00a0weeds, etc) thrive on compost or mulch. Most gardeners have a composter or a compost pile, where we throw anything and everything from the plant world. Most of us are not picky at what we throw in there, and most vegetation is perfectly fine to include in our compost pile.<\/p><p align=\"Left\">It is difficult to make a long-term mistake with the compost pile. If you do not turn it and keep it moist, it will still decompose. It will just take a little longer and may smell a lot more as it decomposes. A common error is to pile grass clippings too thickly. This results in a strong odor but does not affect the eventual decomposition.<\/p><p align=\"Left\">Most people do not put meat and other table scraps composed of animal matter into the compost pile. This is because they attract other animals and pests. We encourage using only those table scraps that are composed of plant matter.<\/p><p align=\"Left\">Make sure the things you put in the compost pile are clean and free of bacteria. If you had bacterial wilt or other disease problems with your crop, do not throw it on the compost heap. If the pile is not hot enough, the disease will winter in your compost pile and re-infest the next year&#8217;s crop.<\/p><p align=\"Left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/atoz\/compost.htm\">More on Composting<\/a><\/p><p align=\"Left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/gardening\/compostmaterials.htm\">What to Compost<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6e1dad3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6e1dad3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0f95d5d\" data-id=\"0f95d5d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ec18ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0ec18ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"667\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gardening\/mulch.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-21402\" alt=\"Mulch Compost\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gardening\/mulch.jpg 667w, https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gardening\/mulch-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c61b1ed elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c61b1ed\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6033b25\" data-id=\"6033b25\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7df675b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7df675b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Leaves and Leaf Mulch (Black Gold)<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-204f4a7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"204f4a7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-93e8602\" data-id=\"93e8602\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-129b5f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"129b5f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p align=\"Left\">Leaves are a frequent additive to the garden. Most(but not all) leaves are fairly neutral in ph, and overall are healthy for the soil and plants. I prefer Oak and Maple. Be cautious if you are getting them from the side of the road. Some leaves such as Black Walnut contain toxins that are harmful to plants. \u00a0On occasion, people will put other trash into leaf bags. Watch for this trash and remove it, as you add the leaves to your garden or compost pile.<\/p><p align=\"Left\">In my town, we have a yard waste recycling program. Leaves are mulched at the town site each year. The resulting mulch, which my neighbors and I call &#8220;Black Gold&#8221;, is available at no charge for use by residents. Mix ample amounts into your garden&#8217;s soil. Everything we have ever grown in Black Gold has produced stellar results. Try it on root crops such as carrots or beets. The roots develop easier in the improved, soft soil.<\/p><p align=\"Left\">There are other mulches as well. These include pine mulch and wood chips and lawn clippings. The drawback to some of these is acidic ph levels, little nutrient value, or raw compost which can result in burning your plant if piled too thickly. Unless you&#8217;ve done your research on a particular material, use caution. Apply them in small amounts, or avoid them together<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-de048ab elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"de048ab\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fd2f5a6\" data-id=\"fd2f5a6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-984eeb7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"984eeb7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">More Soil Amendments<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8faebdd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8faebdd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4b5282b\" data-id=\"4b5282b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0df2cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a0df2cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><p align=\"Left\">Ash from the fireplace. Not only is it high in potash, but it helps to raise the pH level.<\/p><\/li><li><p align=\"Left\">Fish entrails are great fertilizers for any plants &#8211; lots of nutrients (Caution: use well-composted material or you may find the neighborhood cats weeding your plants).<\/p><\/li><li><p align=\"Left\">Coffee grounds, but it is hard to get a large supply. Coffee grounds are rich in potassium.<\/p><\/li><li><p align=\"Left\">Household scraps- vegetable matter only.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6602cd2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6602cd2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-591808c\" data-id=\"591808c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb84d3e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cb84d3e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ph Level of Garden Soil<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dc7dc49 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"dc7dc49\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-46ad54a\" data-id=\"46ad54a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c97338a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c97338a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p align=\"Left\">&#8220;Ph&#8221; is a measure of acidity or alkalinity. Each plant in your garden or yard has an ideal range that it will thrive in. It is helpful to test your soil ph and adjust accordingly. Keep in mind that the amendments you add could alter the ph.<\/p><p align=\"Left\">Soil testing is not an absolute necessity, although it is recommended. If your gardening area has proven productive over the years and you are constantly adding amendments in some balance (acidic versus alkaline), you may opt not to test it. Some gardeners have never tested their soil.<\/p><p align=\"Left\">New growers and especially people who are experiencing problems with growing other crops in the soil should take this test.<\/p><p align=\"Left\">Your local agricultural agency can either perform tests or direct you to an organization that does. You can also ask your local garden store how to have your soil tested.<\/p><p align=\"Left\">Another fun way is to buy an inexpensive soil tester and test the soil yourself. You can test for soil pH and basic nutrients. While not as in-depth as a commercial soil test, it is far more fun. If you are in the market for a soil tester, please support us.<\/p><p align=\"Left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/atoz\/ph.htm\">Find specific ph levels for your plants<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9e12e38 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9e12e38\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-95c6ec9\" data-id=\"95c6ec9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-951c765 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"951c765\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cover Crops<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4db69ae elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4db69ae\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-56ba031\" data-id=\"56ba031\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31494a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"31494a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p align=\"Left\">Commercial growers plant a &#8220;cover crop&#8221; in their fields over the winter. The most common crop is annual or winter ryegrass. The grass is sowed in the fall and plowed or roto-tilled in the spring. Cover crops benefit the field in two ways. First, the grass adds nitrogen to the soil. Second, it reduces soil erosion due to wind, rain, and run-off during the long offseason.<\/p><p align=\"Left\">This concept is commonly practiced in commercial farming and can be practiced in smaller home gardens, too. Strangely, most home gardeners do not practice this.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3b4da4d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3b4da4d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c650e60\" data-id=\"c650e60\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9203ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a9203ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">You are What You Eat<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3849c6a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3849c6a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-92f00c0\" data-id=\"92f00c0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-369cff3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"369cff3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p align=\"Left\">Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are commonly used by commercial growers. Its use is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Despite this regulation, many people still worry about the potential for residual chemicals in the food supply. And, with just cause, as it is our bodies that might be absorbing those chemicals. A large number of home gardeners participate in the great hobby called gardening to eliminate or control chemicals in their food. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersnet.com\/organic.htm\">Organic gardening<\/a> thrives on the concept of no chemicals and uses only naturally sourced fertilizer and nutrients for the organic garden.<\/p><p align=\"Left\">A home gardener often avoids using chemicals entirely or uses less harmful chemicals in limited amounts. In minimizing the use of chemicals, it is important for gardeners to know what they are doing and to follow the instructions carefully.<\/p><p align=\"Left\">There are many other ways for unwanted chemicals to get into your garden. Here are some of the major ways:<\/p><ul><li><p align=\"Left\">Seepage through the soil either underground or surface water. This is especially a concern for lawn care products where chemicals can seep through your soil. If your garden is uphill of a treated lawn, you are more at risk.<\/p><\/li><li><p align=\"Left\">Contaminated creeks. If you take your water from a nearby creek, unwanted chemicals may be in the water. We recommend you test it first, especially if you are in a suburban or urban area.<\/p><\/li><li><p align=\"Left\">Compost material and amendments. Fireplace ash is a good example. While wood ash is a great soil amendment, the things people burn in fireplaces often contain harmful chemicals. Tops among them are newspapers and magazines in color, plastics, and mixed garbage. If you are going to put it into your vegetable garden, make sure it is pure&#8230;chemically.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ef28d3c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ef28d3c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-85fdf34\" data-id=\"85fdf34\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b75b5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"9b75b5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" 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If you grow fruits and vegetables, your soil&#8217;s health can have an impact on your health too! There are chemicals and micro-nutrients present in all types of soils, which are essential for healthy plant growth. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"categories":[27],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v19.7 (Yoast SEO v19.14) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Garden Soil, a Healthy Home for Flower, Vegetable, Herb Plants.<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Garden Soil - Provide a healthy home for your flower, vegetable and herb plants. Types of soil and healthy amendments. 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