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Achieving a Fertile Soil for a Good Harvest

Fertile soil contributes to the attainment of an optimum condition for plant growth. This soil should contain enough moisture and nutrition to support the growth of the plant. However, this soil condition isn’t always present in every vegetable garden. Some gardens may contain coarse and sandy soil that easily dries out. The fertility of this type of soil is also hard to maintain. In some gardens, there are clay soils that hold too much moisture. Moreover, these clay soils are easily compacted depriving the plant of the essential elements.

The presence of either a clay soil or a coarse and sandy soil shouldn’t stop you from gardening. There is always a way to achieve a fertile soil suitable for gardening. In achieving the high level of soil fertility, several factors should be considered.

One of the basic considerations is the water drainage. A good harvest isn’t possible in soil with poor water drainage. In addressing drainage problems, you may use four-inch drain tiles. These tiles should be used in lines that are each separated by a distance of 25 feet. Another way of dealing with drainage problems is growing vegetables on ridges or beds that are raised.

Moisture is another factor to look into in obtaining fertile soil. You should look at the moisture content of the soil at the time of planting. Some gardeners tend to work early in the spring. During this period, the soil usually holds more water so they shouldn’t be tilled. To determine whether soil moisture content is appropriate for planting, you can use the squeeze test. In this test, a slice of soil from six inches below the surface is turned over using a spade. Then the soil is squeezed using your hands. Crumbling of the soil after pressure is released is a go signal for planting.

Another basic consideration involves erosion. Clay soils are easier to work with after nature does it work. The freezing and thawing during winter produces loose and fluffy soil in the springtime. It is only necessary to level and rake the soil in the spring before planting.

Soil texture and structure is important in vegetable gardening. Modifying these characteristics of the soil entails the use of soil conditioners such as compost, peat moss, sawdust and wood chips. These conditioners affect soil aeration, drainage and the moisture holding capacity of the soil.

Having a productive vegetable garden isn’t possible without fertile soil. However, fertility isn’t something that every garden soil will have. Some gardens have clay soils or coarse and sandy soils that need to be worked on to achieve fertility. So in achieving the optimum condition for the garden soil, several factors should be considered and taken seriously. Once fertility is achieved, a good harvest is assured at the end of the planting season.