Preparing Your Garden

As soon as the ground is workable you can start amending the soil. The goal when amending your garden soil is to build a healthy soil structure. If you’ve never done this before it can seem daunting and it is easy to feel overwhelmed with the abundance of information available. But don’t worry, it is a fairly simple process. Here in Northern Colorado we encounter two different soil types; one is too much clay, the other is too much sand. Heavy clay soils tend to drain slowly and as a result it is easier to drown plants by overwatering them. Sandy soils, on the other hand, drain quickly and plants can have a more difficult time getting enough water and nutrients. Both of these soil types will benefit from the addition of organic matter (compost). Mixing compost into the soil will improve the health and structure of the soil, especially when it is done annually. The primary concern when adding compost is increasing the salt levels. Plant based compost typically contains less salt than animal-based compost which makes it preferable for use. Depending on your situation you can add anywhere from 1 to 4 inches of compost to your garden. Make sure that the compost is worked well down into the soil (to a depth of 6 to 12 inches).

Our Colorado soil tends to be more alkaline than acidic. Most plants grow well when the soil pH is around 6. Once the pH gets above 7 it can have a serious effect on the soil’s ability to support plants. If you’ve had difficulty raising vegetables in the past or if you are otherwise concerned that your pH may be a bit high you can get a pH test kit for a few dollars and find out for sure. Soil pH can be lowered with the addition of sulfur. Additionally, be aware that soil pH is not a one-time fix. It will naturally equalize with the rest of the soil in the area over time, so you will probably have to correct it every few years.

Please feel free to contact us at Happy Life Gardens if you would like more information.