Garden Soil – How To Tell If Yours Has Gone Bad

Executive Summary by: Anne Clarke

If you want to have your soil checked out, know that soil is generally tested to evaluate the fertility and texture. The texture of the soil in key to how effective it will be for you plants.

gardening soil

The three main nutrients your plants will need are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Being around healthy plants is good for you physically.

Many nurseries will test your soil for you. The only definite way to know if you have good, high quality garden soil is to have the soil itself tested.

Nitrogen doesn’t remain in the soil for very long. Therefore, high quality plant food rich in nitrogen is essential for the beauty of your garden.

Garden Soil – Naturally Sterilizing Garden Soils With Solar

Executive Summary by: Steve Boulden

Most garden soils and especially organically created garden soil will never need the extremity of sterilization. It’s almost impossible to eliminate all weeds seeds, diseases, nematodes, and insects.

In the hottest part of summer, usually August or July, it’s possible to raise soil temperatures over four inches deep to above 120 degrees using clear plastic sheeting.

Placing soil in black pots, moistening, and covering tightly with clear plastic will produce soil temperatures in excess of 150-160 degrees. Again, keep in mind that this also kills beneficial soil organisms.

Check out my other guide on garden statues and pond liners