Tips on improving your garden soil

IF you’re new to gardening, or just not getting the results you want, you might need to take a look at your soil’s health. From changing the pH level to adding compost, the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) will help you improve your garden soil.

The first thing you have to do is determine if your soil is sandy, clayey or pegassy. It’s important to know what kind of soil you have. Sandy soils need more organic matter because they don’t retain nutrients as well. Clay soil will need more aeration and organic matter.

Next, you will have to determine if your soil is too acidic. The pH scale ranges from 1-14, with 7 being neutral. Anything above 7 is not desirable and anything below 7 is considered acidic. If your soil is too acidic that is, the pH is below 5, you can add limestone to it. However, if too much limestone is added then the soil’s pH will rise to above 7.
Vermicompost is another way to raise the pH in the soil. This is a composting process using California Red earthworms to create a mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste, bedding materials, and vermicast. Vermicast is the end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by earthworms and has a pH above 6.

NAREI’s CEO, Dr. Oudho Homenauth indicated that it is important for farmers to know which nutrients their soil needs.

“Part of improving garden soil is to know which nutrients plants will need from the soil. Plants need a number of essential nutrients for proper growth and development. These nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as micronutrients. When the soil is deficient in these nutrients, fertilizer must be added,” the CEO explained.
Furthermore, garden soil and plants need oxygen to thrive and survive. Turning over your soil with a garden fork is a great way to add much-needed oxygen. Use fertilizer when needed as it can help your plants to bloom to their full potential.

“Typically, you’ll want to fertilize once before you start planting, and another time in the middle of the growing season,” the CEO advised. In next week’s column, NAREI will provide more information on improving your garden soil.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.