When you are selecting plants for your garden, it is important to ensure that they will thrive in your soil. Before the first plant is even purchased, you should take a sample of your soil to the nearest Agriculture agency in your area to have it tested. If this is not an option, there are simple home test kits that will help you determine the PH of your garden’s soil.

Each plant will require a different type of soil. Some flowers do better in a rich loam, while others thrive in sand. Choose the plants that will do best in the type of soil you already have. It’s a lot easier than trying to truck in a bunch of new soil. However, if you have particularly poor soil in your garden, this may be your own only option. When in doubt, stick with the plants that are the most hardy and adaptable to any kind of soil. Creeping plants are usually the most hardy and don’t require a lot of extra care or nutrients.

Once your plants are in place, you will need to keep testing the PH levels of your soil. This will help you determine which nutrients need to be added. In some gardens, nitrogen levels will be quite high, while in others, you may need to have a little help. Look for a fertilizer that contains the majority of nutrients that your soil is missing and use it on a regular basis. Simple bags of generic fertilizer may not work properly since they contain a variety of different chemicals and nutrients. The direct approach of adding the exact nutrients your garden requires is usually much more effective when trying to balance out your soil.