Fertilizer and soil additives

Preparing soil – mixing in fertilizer and soil additives

If you are going to grow your vegetables in the ground, or in an unframed raised bed, just follow the steps I have already laid out for mixing in fertilizer and soil additives here. If you have a framed raised bed the steps are basically the same. The example here will be for a raised bed container with a depth of 12”. This is the size of my first organic raised bed garden.

• Transfer enough of your existing soil (if you have tested it and found it to be healthy) to a depth of 6” in your raised bed container. Make sure you have broken the soil up so that it is nice and loose.

• Add your fertilizers and additives, mixing them into the soil and filling the container up to the lip.

• You will now have healthy, nutrient rich soil, that is loose in structure. This will take care of aeration and drainage to begin with, and regular replenishments of organic matter will maintain a healthy system.

In preparing soil correctly you are laying the foundation for abundant and healthy crops, as well as saving yourself a whole load of work. One of the important factors in doing so is knowing what to feed the soil.

Fertilizer and soil additives

Did you identify your soil type? What about your pH level – did you test it?

As I said before, knowing your soil enables you to choose the right type of organic matter to add should it need improving in fertility.

There are many organic remedies for nutrient deficient soil. Soil with a low pH level (acidic between 0-6.9) can be treated with lime. Add sulfur to a soil with a high pH level (between 7.1-14). Changing your pH levels will of course be dependent on which vegetables you intend growing. Have a look at the vegetable plant pH preferences chart to remind you of the best soil pH levels for different vegetables.

If for whatever reason you do not want to use your existing soil, or do not actually have any, then healthy, organic and nutritious soils can be purchased. There are many soil retailers online. Enter ‘buy soil’ into your search engine and select one that suits you.

Rolawn, one such online retailer, provides a good description of what to look for (and ask for) when needing a good organic soil for your vegetables

…The ideal landscaping topsoil can be described as an organic rich, slightly acid to slightly alkaline, fertile sandy loam, free from contamination with no waste materials or sharps.

Buying your soil from a reputable supplier will certainly cost more than using your own, but it would save you some work and ensure soil quality.

Okay, whether you are using existing soil or soil you have purchased, you will be introducing fertilizer and soil additives to it. Let’s have a look at them now by clicking on fertilizer types




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