I know it’s tempting to go wild at the garden center, buying
anything and everything that will brighten your springtime garden.
But take it from someone who has made that mistake before.
I know it’s tempting to go wild at the garden center, buying anything and everything that will brighten your springtime garden. But take it from someone who has made that mistake before. Don’t just throw that new plant into rock-hard ground and expect it to thrive. If your garden is anything like mine, there’s ground that’s so hard a cheap trowel can literally bend while attempting to dig a small planting hole!
Which brings us to soil preparation. Now is the ideal time to improve the clay soils that dominate our local gardens. Heavy clay soils can pose a challenge to plants and gardeners alike. Heavy clay drains slowly, meaning it stays saturated longer after rain or irrigation. Then, when the sun finally comes out and the soil dries, it forms a hard, cracked surface. On the bright side, clay soils are usually richer in nutrients than sandy soils. And clay’s tendency to hold water tightly can be an advantage in that you don’t have to water as often compared to sandy soils.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to improve your planting areas. Bring in plenty of soil amendments before you plant anew. This can include organic compost, peat moss, redwood soil conditioner, steer manure, mushroom compost, sand – you get the picture. Practically any type of soil amendment will be an improvement over hard ground. A 2- to 3-inch layer worked into the soil to shovel depth is a good amount.
Then, after planting, top everything off with a 2-inch layer of mulch. The latter can include redwood sawdust or “gorilla hair.” The latter is a type of stringy mulch that covers the ground and is heavy enough where it won’t blow away in the wind. Mulch not only looks good, it saves on water by reducing evaporation and even can prevent some weeds from germinating.
Be aware that if you’re working on a large area, it might be cheaper to order soil amendments in bulk from a rockery. Even after the $25 delivery charge, you may come out ahead. Of course, you have to factor in the time it will take to shovel and wheelbarrow the huge dirt pile in your driveway to wherever you need it. For smaller jobs, you can save time by simply carrying large bags of soil amendments to where it’s needed.
Also, for large areas, it will be a lot easier mixing these amendments in with the use of a rototiller. Tilling the soil with amendments will literally “fluff” it up, making it easier for roots to grow and develop. Not too many people remember that roots need air to grow, too – not just water, fertilizer and sunlight. If you’re lucky, you might be able to borrow a rototiller from a friend or neighbor. Rototillers also are available to rent. Smaller rototillers run around $25 for a two-hour minimum rental, while larger ones are double that. I’ve also had good luck searching the classifieds to find someone who will come out and do the tilling for about the cost of a rental. Whether you do-it-yourself or have it done, always water well a few days beforehand if the weather has been dry.
Remember, your flowers, vegetables, trees and shrubs will pay you back with effort if you take the time and effort to rejuvenate your soil.
Keith Muraoka lives and works in Gilroy. E-mail him at
ga********@jp*.net
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