Landscaping - Soil Care

Healthy soil is an important component of landscaping and gardening. Caring for soil should be as important to home gardeners as it is to a commercial farmer. Improving the soil structure is one of the most important aspects of soil care. Adding organic matter and yard waste such as shredded leaves, crop residues, straw, and similar material helps maintain the pH balance of the soil and adds needed nutrients

Cover Crops

Certain crops will add these inorganic elements to the soil as they grow and also provide a valuable organic manure. These cover crops are the easiest way to fertilize land, although they take time, usually a season, to produce their best effect. Cover crops such as alfalfa, soybeans and similar crops add nitrogen to the soil when planted and, when plowed under at the proper time, provide more.

A good cover crop of legumes, plowed under at the proper stage, can add 100 to 150 pounds of nitrogen to the soil per acre, or the equivalent of 10 to 15 pounds of animal manure. Nitrogen and mineral content in the cover crop are highest just before maturity and should be plowed under then. Hairy vetch, for example, a good cover crop for the home gardener because it is a winter annual and a good soil builder, may be sown early in September and should be plowed under in May.

Keeping the Soil in Condition

Soil requires care. Fertilization during the course of the growing season, as well as in the course of preparation, is of great importance. The best and easiest way to effectively fertilize is to add either organic or inorganic fertilizer to a quantity of water and then distribute it over the soil. This assures even distribution and quick absorption. Or spread it by hand or with a spreader, as on a lawn, and then wash down with your hose.

If you are working on building up a good soil foundation, apply your fertilizer before you spade or till, and then try to work it in evenly. You may have to use lime, particularly if you live in the Atlantic Coast region where there is less calcium in the soil and. consequently, the soil is acid. If you use pulverized limestone, with lots of organic matter, you are not apt to use too much.

Seed Selection For Your Lawn

When you select seed for your lawn, the main consideration is the exposure to sun and shade your grounds afford. Most commercial blends are adapted to full sun or medium shade. A special blend should be used where there is less than three or four hours of sun-light a day, as under trees, or where soils are dry and poor. In general,heavy grass seed is most free from chaff an dist most economical in the long run, while a cheaper, lighter seed germinates less rapidly.