Trying to grow healthy, vibrant flowers without proper soil chemistry is
definitely a case of putting the cart before the horse. Good soil is the cornerstone of successful
gardening, and it is important to make sure that your soil will meet the needs
of your plants before the first seed is planted.
While soil chemistry is important no matter what types of plants or
flowers you grow, it is particularly critical when it comes to working with
bulbs, perennials or other plants that remain in the ground for than one
season. The reason is that the chemistry
of the soil can change from year to year.
Therefore, if a formerly well blooming patch of the garden is looking a
bit haggard, the first place to look is at the condition of the soil. Erosion, overuse of pesticides and
fertilizers and a number of other factors can impact the quality of the soil,
so it is important to test the soil if you suspect a problem.
Of course the soil should be tested anytime a new flower bed is prepared
as well. It would be a mistake to assume
that the soil chemistry is the same everywhere on your property, since the
makeup of different patches of soil can be markedly different, due to past use,
chemicals or residue in the ground, etc.
It is a good idea to have a thorough soil analysis done prior to planting
a bed of flowers. Most major cities have
several laboratories that do soil testing, so be sure to contact such a lab to
have the soil analyzed for pH level, and for levels of important plant
nutrients. If you are unsure where to
get the soil tested, be sure to ask the staff at your local nursery or garden
center for a recommendation.
After the present condition of the soil is known, you will be in a much
better position to know how to amend the soil and make the changes that are
needed. Once you know the pH level, the
level of organic material in the soil, the amount of clay, amount of sand,
etc., you will be able to choose the right additives to provide your plants
with what they need to thrive.
The pH level of the soil can be a particularly critical factor when
deciding what types of plants will work best.
Most varieties of annuals, perennials and bulbs will grow well in a wide
range of soil pH, but some plants have specific needs, and prefer soils that
are either very alkaline or very acidic.
If your pH range is outside the norm, or if it needs to be amended,
there are a number of ways to accomplish this goal. For instance, limestone can be used to make
acidic soil more alkaline, while sulfur is often used to make very alkaline
soil more acidic. A pH level that is out
of balance can also be helped by adding humus. This rich soil can be created at
home by using a compost bin, or it can be purchased ready made from a garden
center or nursery.
After you know the baseline content of your flower bed, it will be easier
to track chemistry changes from year to year, and to make amendments as
needed. The more you know about the
quality of your soil, the more confident you can be that the plants you buy
will thrive in your home garden.
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