Save 25% on the new 'Venus' Dogwood! It posesses superior winter hardiness for northern zones and exceptional disease resistance for southern zones. see below for details

Are we there yet? Spring, ah Spring is almost upon us!

"Yesterday the twig was brown and bare;
To-day the glint of green is there;
Tomorrow will be leaflets spare;
I know no thing so wondrous fair,
No miracle so strangely rare.
I wonder what will next be there!"
~L.H. Bailey

Spring is a miraculous time when the plants re-awaken and hope is naturally renewed. Spring is also the best time to plant or transplant perennials, trees, shrubs and many bulbs. Whether planting or transplanting, your soil is one of the key ingredients to increase your success and to help you have a more enjoyable garden.

To understand how you can improve the effectiveness of your soil you need to understand how your soil, plants, and plants’ roots work in tandem to provide the nutrients needed to sustain growth. The three most important functions of the roots in regards to plant growth are 1) absorption of nutrients, water, and minerals; 2) anchorage for the plant to support itself; and, 3) storage of food and water.

The soil is a living, breathing medium that works with your plants to provide an environment for the roots to perform their functions. The soil is alive with bacteria, fungus, insects, and other beneficial organisms that help plants breakdown nutrients and minerals into the useable form that plant roots can absorb. Plant roots in turn produce exudates, similar to a human perspiring, that create an environment in which beneficial fungi, bacteria and other organisms live. Without this environment and the beneficial organisms living in it, your plants are not able to provide the nutrients to survive and thrive.

Because beneficial microorganisms need carbon to live and reproduce, enhance your soil environment by incorporating or adding organic matter, matter coming from once living animal or plant material. The most common forms of organic matter are sphagnum peat moss, composted manures, and home made compost. The addition of organic matter not only adds a much needed carbon source for the beneficial organisms but it also creates porosity in clay soils and water holding capacity in sandy soils. Creating porosity in clay soils allows excess free water to drain and keep the soil from becoming water logged, allowing more air into the root zone, which is vital to most plants and increases the microorganism activity. For sandy soils, organic matter helps to bind the sand particles together and increase water-holding capacity. Organic matter also increases the soil’s ability to retain nutrients, or make the nutrients in the soil more available to the plants and the microorganisms.

Organic matter can be applied as a top dress in existing plantings where you do not want to disturb the root zone area. The beneficial organisms found in the organic matter enter the existing soil, the organic matter breaks down, and is pulled down into the existing soil. A 3-4 inch layer of composted organic material also acts as a mulch to reduce the amount of water needed, retards weed growth, and insulates your soil from cold or warm temperatures.

Whether you are planting a new area or renovating your current landscape area, incorporating organic matter pays huge dividends. The most common and easiest method of incorporating organic matter is to turn your soil with a roto-tiller or by hand with a shovel. Start by turning the soil over to a depth of 8-12 inches then add a 3-6 inch layer of organic matter on top of the freshly turned soil. Till the organic matter in thoroughly, making several passes over the soil. The amended soil will feel spongy when you walk across it, indicating the large amount of porosity you created in your soil. Contrary to popular belief, and also folklore, you should NOT roto-till a garden or planting area every year as doing so disturbs the soil environment and is not beneficial to the microorganisms that work with your plants. Farmers utilize the “no till” method of managing farmland to increase their soil’s fertility. It is now a standard operating procedure. So, taking a cue from farmers, you should only till the soil every three to five years in a vegetable garden and only when renovating an existing landscape bed.

After you have amended your soil, it will take a few months for the soil, the beneficial microorganisms, and the plants to establish a nutrient rich soil environment that will provide the plants with all their needs. Once this environment is established, your plants will flourish and all the extra work will pay huge dividends, perhaps in abundance of fruit or flowers or through established landscape plants that add value to your property. When you think about the buzz in the media today about how we are slowly using up our natural resources and the emphasis placed on reusing and recycling, using organic matter to enhance your soil will not only benefit the plants, but will also recycle waste products. It will not only help us grow better plants but will also do good for the earth!

Happy Gardening!

Thought for the week!

~ Robin Williams ~