Saturday, January 11, 2014

Preparing Your Soil for Spring Gardening

Clay soil is plentiful in our area and preparing the soil is essential for a healthy garden.  I have tried the local cooperative extension and received a report back through a website.  This did require going to the local agriculture extension office and picking up the forms and boxes.  After sending in, it took a few weeks to see result.  The report was free and the results were recommendations on fertilizers based on the makeup of your soil.  

Below are a couple of other resources that I like: 

1.     I found this detailed soil analysis at a United States Department of Agriculture website. They’ve mapped the country, analyzed soils and made the data available to all in a free detailed report. Click here to access it.

To use application click on the big WWS green start button; then click on address and enter yours. A map will come up of your neighborhood. Click on the AOI button and place the red box around your yard. Then click on the Soil Map tab and follow directions.

At the end, click on Shopping Cart to order your custom report. Download it immediately or have it sent later via email. It’s free.
Once you know your soil type or types, you probably will have to improve the ground before planting.


2.    Great directions on do-it-yourself soil testing is available at http://organicgardening.about.com/od/soil/a/easysoiltests.htm

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