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Basics for Urban Gardeners
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Guide for Urban Gardeners
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Soil
Basics for Urban Gardeners
Unless you’re using hydroponics for your urban
garden, the most important thing you can do to insure healthy
plants is to have healthy soil.
Soil Composition
Soil is often divided into various categories, such as clay,
sand, silt, and loam, although there are an infinite number
of soil varieties because soil compositions can vary widely
in organic matter, large and small rocks, minerals, pH, and
other factors. Most gardeners consider soil that has a combination
of sand, silt, clay, and organic matter to be good soil.
pH and Urban Gardening
pH is a scale used to measure the concentration of hydrogen
ions in a solution. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. Acidic
substances have smaller pH numbers and more hydrogen ions. Alkaline
substances have larger pH numbers and fewer hydrogen ions. 0
is extremely acid; 7 is neutral; and 14 is extremely alkaline.
Limestone is an example of a very alkaline mineral. Sulfur is
an example of a very acidic mineral. Note that arid regions
tend to have alkaline soils and regions with heavy rainfall
tend to have acidic soils.
Whether you’re using a commercial potting soil, or you
are fortunate enough to have a little garden plot at home for
planting, measuring the pH of your soil is a good indicator
of how your plants will perform. Different kinds of plants thrive
in soil with different levels of pH. You can test the pH of
your soil with a simple
pH testing kit. A good quality pH test kit is worth the
extra expense because inexpensive ones are often inaccurate.
Testing the pH will also help you determine if you need to make
changes to the soil composition. Once you know your soil’s
pH, ask your local nursery if your soil is suitable for the
plants you’d like to grow. You may need to work your soil
a little to reach the desired pH level. (See below for more
information.)
Testing Your Soil
Here is a terrific little electronic
soil testing tool that can tell you how your soil is doing
quickly and easily. Another good way to test your soil is with
the “Ribbon Test.” After you take a soil sample,
roll it back and forth in your hand. If it sticks together easily,
it is high in clay, if it simply falls apart, it is probably
has a lot of sand. Clay soils don’t drain well and are
difficult for the roots to penetrate. Sandy soils drain well
but don’t retain nutrients. Adding organic material will
help both sandy and clay soils.
The most accurate way to test the overall health of your soil
is with a Garden
Soil Testing Kit. These kits are relatively inexpensive
and come in various styles. You can even buy an electronic
soil tester that will test the pH, as well as fertility,
how much light you are getting, and other aspects for effective
urban gardening.
The Magic of Compost
Adding compost can work wonders if your soil is out of the ideal
pH range. Adding compost will also improve soil that is too
sandy, has too much clay, or is low in the organic material
that plants need to thrive. Composting is also a wonderful way
to reduce waste in your home by making use of kitchen scraps,
garden waste, and other green material. If you don’t know
much about composting, don’t worry. You can find more
information on composting
at the Compost Guide.
Soil drainage is also critical to plant health. Mixing in compost
is the best way to improve drainage. You can also try digging
out a good quantity of the soil, around 16 inches deep, and
placing a layer of fine gravel at the bottom.
Another great site about composting for the urban gardener is
provided by the Brooklyn
Botanic Garden.
Mulch
Mulching is nature’s way of composting. Mulching helps
to keep weeds from growing and facilitates moisture retention
in the soil. Mulching also begins the process of natural composting.
Between treatments, soil organisms help to decompose the mulch
that is closest to the ground. Earthworms and other critters
that live in the soil pull composted material into the ground
and naturally feed your plant’s roots.
You should add a little mulch each year to your garden to keep
the process going. You can use mulch even when your soil is
in good shape. The mulch will keep the soil healthy and productive.
You can further support your soil by adding a dose of organic
fertilizer. Your mulch will work best when you add this
natural fertilizer over the entire garden bed so that the whole
area will gradually become healthier.
For more information
on mulching you can go here.
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2005 Urban Gardening Help. All Rights Reserved.
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Indoor Gardening
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l High-Yield Techniques -
Small Spaces
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l Urban Garden Pest Control
Tips l Small
Urban Garden
Design Tips
l Plant Guide for Urban Gardeners
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Products
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