So one simple act will improve your soil, keep weeds at bay and make your beds and borders look far better. Why do soils need improving? Clay soils: Although clay soils hold nutrients well, they are heavy, slow to warm up and tend to be too wet (sticky) in the winter and too dry...
Soil should also be rich and have a neutral to alkaline pH. Taking a soil sample is a great way to determine if you need to add anything to the soil to make it more fertile or adjust the pH. Clay soil will have to be heavily amended before a peony will do well growing in it. H...
How to care for salad leaves Keep the soil moist at all times, but without overwatering. If the soil dries out the plants may bolt (go to seed prematurely) and lose their strong flavours. If necessary, thin out seedlings when they’re about 2.5cm (1in) high. The thinnings can be us...
A good soil test will evaluate the basic texture of your soil—sand, silt, or clay—and determine its acidity—the pH level. The available nutrients, including magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, will be calculated, and recommendations will be made for raising each to the correct le...
Soak the potatoes in cool water until the dirt on the vegetables is loose. Fields White says this makes cleaning easier, especially with a thicker-skinned potato, like a russet, or one grown in clay-based soil. Once the dirt is loose, take the potatoes out of the water and gently scrub...
Give your lawn one last mow and say goodbye. If you’re planting your garden directly into the ground, you’ll need toget rid of all the grassfirst. Why should you remove your grass? If the soil layer on top of the grass is not dense enough, grass shoots or weeds might pop through...
Avoid handling Chinese cabbage plants when wet. Avoid overhead watering and constantly wet garden soil which can result in cabbage root rot. To avoid root diseases, add organic amendments to clay soil. Remove and destroy infected plants.
Work rock phosphate or wood ashes into the soil before planting to ensure fertility Carrots prefer a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8. If you have rocky soil or heavy clay, grow carrots in a raised bed. Planting in raised or mounded beds are ideal for growing carrots. Carrots planting time Sow car...
Consider your property’s climate and soil when laying out your plans. When and where to plant Boxwood shrubs can be planted in the spring or fall. They need well-drained, nutrient-rich soil to flourish, so cultivating these plants away from wet areas is a must. It’s best to plant ...
Next, cover the layer with soil. Add nitrogen-rich materials (greens), followed by soil. Repeat the alternating layers of greens and browns until the pile reaches 2 to 3 feet high. Soak the pile at its start and water periodically; its consistency should be that of a damp (not wet) sp...