{"id":6615,"date":"2023-07-27T16:37:32","date_gmt":"2023-07-27T16:37:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/?p=6615"},"modified":"2023-07-14T16:38:48","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T16:38:48","slug":"how-to-improve-your-garden-soil-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/how-to-improve-your-garden-soil-in-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Improve Your Garden Soil in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"6615\" class=\"elementor elementor-6615\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31f87d4 subhead-img-txt e-flex e-con-boxed e-con\" data-id=\"31f87d4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f7b010d header3-open-maintitle elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1f7b010d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 20-08-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How To Improve Your Garden Soil in 2023<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50ededb elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-5957 elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"50ededb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/elementor\/assets\/css\/widget-icon-list.min.css\"><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/pro-elements\/assets\/css\/widget-theme-elements.min.css\">\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-8f113c6 elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/author\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-custom\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAuthor: Saiqa Najeeb\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-0ff47c0 elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-custom\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLast Updated On: July 14, 2023\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3db4f287 header2-open-img elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3db4f287\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 20-08-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardening-website.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/assets\/blogs\/Garden+soil%2B+Plant+Problems+Webp\/s+feature.webp\" title=\"\" alt=\"garden soil\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-742e79ba e-con-full header3-inner-cont e-flex e-con\" data-id=\"742e79ba\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-575f3398 my-toc elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"575f3398\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_56_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >SECTIONS<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\" role=\"button\"><label for=\"item-6527615155e9e\" ><span class=\"\"><span style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input aria-label=\"Toggle\" aria-label=\"item-6527615155e9e\"  type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-6527615155e9e\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/how-to-improve-your-garden-soil-in-2023\/#Know_Your_Garden_Soil\" title=\"Know Your Garden \nSoil\">Know Your Garden \nSoil<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/how-to-improve-your-garden-soil-in-2023\/#Testing_your_soil_type_sand_silt_or_clay\" title=\"Testing your soil type: sand, silt, or clay?\">Testing your soil type: sand, silt, or clay?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/how-to-improve-your-garden-soil-in-2023\/#Testing_for_drainage\" title=\"Testing for drainage\">Testing for drainage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/how-to-improve-your-garden-soil-in-2023\/#Testing_for_pH_and_nutrients\" title=\"Testing for pH and nutrients\">Testing for pH and nutrients<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/how-to-improve-your-garden-soil-in-2023\/#Adding_Organic_Matter\" title=\"Adding Organic Matter\">Adding Organic Matter<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b56bce5 header3-text-cont-half elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b56bce5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 20-08-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your garden soil will nourish the plants if you feed them properly. Healthy garden soil supports an abundance of living organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and earthworms, that together create a dynamic soil ecosystem.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are looking for ways to improve your garden soil and skyrocket your garden productivity, stay with us. You\u2019ll get to know all the juicy details that you need to know for maintaining and improving a healthy soil environment.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Don\u2019t treat your garden soil like dirt!<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21147683 subhead-txt e-flex e-con-boxed e-con\" data-id=\"21147683\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-665a0261 things-h elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"665a0261\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Know Your Garden \nSoil <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43b892a header2-open-img elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"43b892a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardening-website.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/assets\/blogs\/Garden+soil%2B+Plant+Problems+Webp\/s+gloves.webp\" title=\"\" alt=\"testing garden soil\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a67d504 know elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6a67d504\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first step in enhancing your garden soil is determining the type of soil you have. When it comes to maintaining plant life, different soils have varied strengths and limitations. The best soil-building processes are determined by the fundamental features of your soil, such as its water-holding capacity and pH.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The subsurface ecosystem under the soil, like the aboveground ecosystem in your garden, requires tending. Soil improvement is a continuous process of nurturing the beneficial organisms on which your plants rely. The process is slow, steady, and continual. The cycle of plant growth, death, and decomposition continues. This natural dynamic is altered whether you maintain clean perennial beds or harvest crops from your food garden.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-195a04ee subhead-txt e-flex e-con-boxed e-con\" data-id=\"195a04ee\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f3c945 things-h elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3f3c945\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Testing your soil type: sand, silt, or clay? <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60bf151 header2-open-img elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"60bf151\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardening-website.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/assets\/blogs\/Garden+soil%2B+Plant+Problems+Webp\/s+texture.webp\" title=\"\" alt=\"testing soil texture\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-510816c1 know elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"510816c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, how do you determine what kind of garden soil you have?\u00a0 Take a tiny amount of damp dirt in your hand and rub a pinch of it between your thumb and index finger. If the soil is rough, it contains predominantly sand; if it is slick and slimy, it contains mostly clay. It&#8217;s largely silt if you can construct a cylinder but the material crumbles as you roll it.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The jar test is a more accurate way of measuring the levels of clay, silt, and sand in your soil. Here&#8217;s how it&#8217;s done:<\/span><\/p><ol><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Gather dirt from several locations in your yard and properly mix the samples.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Take 1 cup of the mixture and strain off any stones or debris.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Place the soil in a narrow glass jar (such as a pint canning jar), then fill the jar halfway with water.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Close the jar and vigorously shake it to mix the contents. Set it aside and begin a timer.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> After one minute, measure and mark the settled soil level. This layer is made of sand.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> After two hours, measure again and subtract the sand layer to determine the amount of silt.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> After a few days, remeasure and deduct the sand and silt to determine the amount of clay.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> To calculate the percentage of each component, divide the height of each level by the total height of the settled soil and multiply by 100. If the whole settled soil is 6 inches tall and the sand portion is 3 inches, the sand content is 50% (3 \u00f7 6 \u00d7 100 = 50%).<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ab88d98 header2-subhead e-flex e-con-boxed e-con\" data-id=\"6ab88d98\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-302e4aaf things-h elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"302e4aaf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Testing_for_drainage\"><\/span>Testing for drainage<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4470372a header2-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4470372a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowing how effectively your soil drains allows you to decide what to plant and whether you need to improve drainage. Drainage issues are sometimes visible. Puddles on your lawn a day or two after heavy rains, for example, suggest poor drainage. However, a layer of clay may exist beneath loamy or sandy soil, causing water to accumulate in otherwise well-drained soil. Dig a hole before planting anything, especially trees, and plants, to examine what lies beneath the surface. Here&#8217;s how to test for soil drainage or percolation:\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ol><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Dig a 1-foot-diameter, 1-foot-deep hole.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Pour water into the hole.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Keep track of how long it takes for the water to drain.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ol><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the water drains away in less than 10 minutes, your soil drains too quickly and possibly dries too soon. Water drains within 10 to 30 minutes on well-drained soils. Most plants may tolerate good drainage if it drains within four hours. Your soil is poorly drained If it takes more than 4 hours. Use this information to select the best plants for your soil. Remember that adding organic matter to the soil, such as compost, can enhance the drainage of both sandy and clayey soils. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb6825f subhead-txt e-flex e-con-boxed e-con\" data-id=\"eb6825f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-039763d things-h elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"039763d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Testing_for_pH_and_nutrients\"><\/span>Testing for pH and nutrients<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82cff46 header2-open-img elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"82cff46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardening-website.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/assets\/blogs\/Garden+soil%2B+Plant+Problems+Webp\/s+nutrients.webp\" title=\"\" alt=\"testing for soil nutrients\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f311c0 know elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0f311c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must be aware of the pH and nutrient levels in your garden soil. The pH of the soil measures its alkalinity or acidity. Because some nutrients are only available to plants within a specific pH range, knowing whether your soil is acidic (below pH 7 on a scale of 0 to 14) or alkaline (above pH 7) is critical.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A basic rule of thumb is that nutrient levels are adequate if your plants are growing, blooming, and fruiting properly. High or low pH levels, as well as uneven nutrition levels, can cause discolored, stunted, and unproductive plants. Unhealthy plants are more susceptible to pest and disease assaults, which means more work for you and less satisfaction from your plants.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unhealthy plants are more vulnerable to pest and disease assaults, which means more work for you and less enjoyment from your garden. That is not what you desire!<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Apera-Instruments-AI209-Waterproof-Accuracy\/dp\/B01ENFOHN8\/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=ph+test+kit&amp;qid=1689352522&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&amp;psc=1\">testing kits<\/a> provide a basic pH reading as well as an estimate of the important nutrients in your soil. Nurseries and garden centers carry a variety of test kits, from the most basic to the most complex. The most sophisticated tests are more expensive but provide more accurate results.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Your soil\u2019s pH results\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most plants thrive in a pH range of 6 to 7, with 6.5 to 6.8 being optimum. However, some plants, such as blueberries and rhododendrons, like severely acidic soil (pH below 5), therefore you may need to modify the pH for specific species. Soils in low rainfall locations are often alkaline; soils in high rainfall areas are typically acidic because rain leaches calcium from the soil.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b>Nutrient test results\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A soil test also reveals the quantities of soil nutrients accessible to plants, particularly the three nutrients that plants utilize the most: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Soils also contain numerous other nutrients that plants require at lower levels, such as magnesium and calcium. Plants do not grow to their full capacity if any nutrient is lacking. Organic principles may not be followed in soil test recommendations. They may advise you to use certain synthetic fertilizers to increase nutrient levels, for example. You might have to hunt for organic alternatives to get these nutrients.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Adjusting your pH\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your soil is too acidic, lime will be required to raise the pH. Crushed calcium carbonate (calcite or calcitic limestone) rock is referred to as &#8220;lime&#8221; or &#8220;limestone.&#8221; Dolomitic limestone (calcium-magnesium carbonate) benefits magnesium-deficient soils. The finer the dust, the faster it dissolves and elevates the pH of the soil.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applying sulfur to alkaline soil will lower the pH. The optimum substance to use is usually 100 percent finely ground sulfur, also known as elemental sulfur. Soil bacteria convert sulfur to sulfuric acid, lowering the pH of the soil. Again, soil-testing lab data provide guidance.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-438695cc header2-subhead e-flex e-con-boxed e-con\" data-id=\"438695cc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5756e2c8 things-h elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5756e2c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Adding Organic Matter to Your Garden Soil<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b091e66 header2-open-img elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b091e66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardening-website.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/assets\/blogs\/Garden+soil%2B+Plant+Problems+Webp\/s+om.webp\" title=\"\" alt=\"adding organic matter to the soil\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52bf4bad header2-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"52bf4bad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organic matter is the soil&#8217;s essence and a necessary component of a healthy planet. Organic matter is anything that was once alive, such as grass clippings, hay, straw, sawdust, pine needles, wood chips,\u00a0 leaves, manure, and anything else. It&#8217;s a miracle worker that improves the soil in a variety of important ways:<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Microorganisms and other soil life are fed: Beneficial bacteria, protozoa, fungi, beneficial nematodes, and other soil microbes absorb organic matter (and each other) and excrete it in a form that plants can utilize. Earthworms, beetles, and other organisms consume organic debris and tunnel into the soil, generating beneficial air gaps and excreting nutrients in the process.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces the number of dangerous disease organisms: Beneficial bacteria prey on and control pathogenic nematodes and fungi that cause plant damage.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organic matter aids in the adhesion of sandy soils and the retention of water and nutrients. It also aids in the opening of cavities between small, sticky clay particles, allowing clay soil to drain easier and contain more oxygen.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soil bacteria store nutrients in their bodies, which are released when they die or are consumed by other microbes. The more bacteria there are in the soil, the more nutrients it can store. Use straw mulch between compost around perennial flowers, vegetable garden beds, or bark mulch around trees and shrubs to add organic matter to your plantings wherever possible.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57ac60bc subhead-txt e-flex e-con-boxed e-con\" data-id=\"57ac60bc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77bd09ed things-h elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"77bd09ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">That\u2019s it<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-269bdf3d know elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"269bdf3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking care of your garden soil is crucial for improving the productivity of your garden. By getting to know your soil, performing tests, and following the amendments as per the results, you can give your garden soil a substantial boost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow the tips and tricks given in this guide and see your garden results soar in no time. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, don\u2019t wait any further and get your hands dirty!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Know about Growing Horseradish in a Container in 6 Easy Steps How To Improve Your Garden Soil in 2023 Your garden soil will nourish the plants if you feed them properly. Healthy garden soil supports an abundance of living organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and earthworms, that together create a dynamic soil ecosystem. If you are &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/how-to-improve-your-garden-soil-in-2023\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">How To Improve Your Garden Soil in 2023<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":6617,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":""},"categories":[27,24],"tags":[53],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6615"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6615"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6615\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6624,"href":"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6615\/revisions\/6624"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seedandsprouts.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}