Winter is the ideal time to rejuvenate your garden soil after a
long, hot summer. Soil is the foundation that is ultimately
responsible for a healthy garden. What better time to replenish
your garden
”
dirt
”
by adding organic matter?
Winter is the ideal time to rejuvenate your garden soil after a long, hot summer. Soil is the foundation that is ultimately responsible for a healthy garden. What better time to replenish your garden “dirt” by adding organic matter?
And don’t get confused by the term “organic matter.” Basically, organic matter can come in many forms – bags of organic compost, planting mix, redwood soil conditioner, steer manure, etc. Organic matter can help reshape the large cavities in soils and thus aid in the retention of water and fertilizer nutrients.
Take it from me, your plants will thank you for it come spring and summer.
Simply go to your nearby box store and load up on composted products. Local rockeries also have organic compost available for hauling with your own truck (or delivery for around $50 extra).
Other examples of organic matter include plant trimmings, grass cuttings, shredded fall leaves, household compost (from the compost bin) and aged/composted manure. However, such organic matter often takes up to six months in a compost pile or bin to get ready.
The process of amending this organic matter into your garden is relatively simple. You need to dig the bed to be improved by turning over the top 8 to 10 inches (one spade depth).
Spread a three to four-inch layer of organic matter, such as compost, and mix it thoroughly into the top 10 to 12 inches of the soil. This is most easily done with a rototiller, but it can be done by hand if your area is small.
Locally, we usually have to deal with soil that is too clay-like. You know what it’s like: soil that turns into mud when it becomes saturated or rolls into a ball that suddenly becomes a lethal weapon. Clay soils are very good at holding onto fertilizer nutrients, but tends to pack down and exclude the necessary air to roots. Organic matter will help “fluff” the soil up, making it easier for roots to grow and develop.
We are lucky in the fact that this time of year we can also add other organic materials common to our area without fear of hot weather “burning” surrounding plants. This includes steer manure, horse manure and – Morgan Hill’s own – mushroom compost. Mushroom compost is available very inexpensively from several mushroom growers in Morgan Hill. Call to make inquiries, but you can usually shovel your own on any weekday for a nominal fee.
Amending your soil will do wonders for newly planted specimens. You’ll find they not only will grow faster and better, but you’ll probably be fertilizing and spraying less often, too.
Learn to work with nature and you will save yourself a lot of time, money and grief.
Keith Muraoka lives and works in Gilroy. He has written his award-winning column since 1984. E-mail him at ga*******@jp*.net, or write him at P.O. Box 22365, Gilroy, Calif. 95021.
